Is Giving 10% Enough? What the Bible Says About Tithing and Christian Stewardship

We often talk about how much money Christians should give away. But what if we're asking the wrong question?

For generations, Christians have wrestled with the idea of tithing. Should we give 10% of our income to our local church? Does supporting a charity count? And what does the Bible actually teach about generosity?

In our latest Money Matters article, published in partnership with Premier Christianity, we explore these questions and consider a bigger one:

What if Christian stewardship isn't simply about what we give away, but what we do with everything we've been given?

Is tithing still relevant today?

The practice of giving a tenth has deep roots in the Old Testament. It helped sustain worship, support religious leaders and provide for people experiencing poverty and hardship.

For many Christians today, tithing remains a meaningful spiritual discipline. Setting aside a portion of our income can help us prioritise generosity and recognise that everything we have ultimately comes from God.

But while the New Testament encourages generosity, it doesn't explicitly command Christians to give exactly 10% of their income to their local church.

Instead, Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that giving should come from the heart, rather than obligation or pressure.

That doesn't make supporting our churches any less important. Churches need financial resources to provide ministry, pastoral care and community support.

But perhaps generosity was never meant to be limited to a single percentage.

What about the other 90%?

It's easy to think of Christian giving as something separate from the rest of our financial decisions.

We give to church. We support a charity. And then we get on with spending, saving and investing whatever remains.

But biblical stewardship invites us to think more deeply.

What is our money making possible?

The things we buy, the businesses we support, the causes we give to and the places we invest all have an impact.

Christian stewardship isn't necessarily about having less. It's about being intentional with what we have and recognising the opportunity to use our resources for good.

For some, giving 10% represents a significant sacrifice. For others, generosity might mean thinking differently about how they use the rest of their income.

The question isn't simply whether we've reached a target. It's whether our financial choices reflect the values we believe in.

Putting faith into action

At Green Pastures, we see what can happen when Christians choose to use their resources to make a difference.

Through our partnerships with churches and Christian charities across the UK, we help provide safe homes and support for people experiencing homelessness.

And behind those homes are people who have chosen to put their faith into action.

Some give. Some invest. Some volunteer, pray or offer practical support.

Different contributions, but a shared purpose: helping people find safety, stability and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

It's a reminder that our money can do more than meet our own needs. It can also become part of something that changes another person's future.

Generosity is bigger than a percentage

Galatians 2:20 reminds us that our lives belong to Christ.

That includes our relationships, our time, our talents and yes, our finances.

So perhaps the most important question isn't whether we're giving exactly 10%.

Perhaps it's whether we're allowing God's love, justice and generosity to shape how we use everything we've been entrusted with.

Because Christian stewardship isn't just about how much we give away. It's about what we make possible with what we've been given.

Read the full article in Premier Christianity

We've explored these questions in more detail in our latest Money Matters feature with Premier Christianity, including the biblical foundations of tithing, supporting your local church and what the New Testament teaches about generosity.

Read: Money Matters with Green Pastures – Not a Tenth, But Everything

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This article offers general reflections on Christian stewardship and is not personal financial advice. Green Pastures investments involve risk to capital, and returns are not guaranteed. Seek advice from a qualified, regulated financial adviser before making investment decisions.