Tithes and Offerings: Your Questions Answered

Generosity is one of my favorite things to talk about—because it’s one of the most freeing things you can do with money. When you give, you’re telling your money who’s really in charge (hint: It’s not you). It also goes hand in hand with contentment and helps us avoid that instant-gratification lifestyle that’s so easy to fall into these days.

But what exactly is tithing? And how much should you be giving?

Let’s clear that up. Tithing is a biblical principle that helps us live with open hands instead of clenched fists. It’s a way of trusting God with what He’s already given us, and it’s one of the most life-giving habits you can build into your finances.

What Is Tithing?

Tithe literally means “tenth.” So when you tithe, you’re giving 10% of your income to your local church. 

This isn’t just a good idea someone made up—it’s actually rooted in Scripture. Tithing is something God’s people have practiced for thousands of years as a way to honor Him and remember where everything we have really comes from.

Here’s the heart of it: When you give first, you’re putting God first. That’s why your tithe should be the first line in your budget, not just what’s left over at the end of the month.

What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?

The idea of giving 10% comes straight from Scripture. Here are a few key Bible verses about tithing:

Leviticus 27:30 (NIV): “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.”

Proverbs 3:9 (NIV): “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”

Genesis 28:20–22 (NIV): “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.’”

Nehemiah 10:35 (NIV): “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.”

Malachi 3:10 (NIV): “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’”

Don’t let all the farming metaphors throw you off. What these verses are really saying is that you should give a portion (specifically a tenth) of whatever you make back to God. And that word firstfruits is just a biblical way of saying that you should give first—before you do anything else with your money.

That’s why giving should be the first category in your budget—because when you tithe before making a plan with the rest of your money, you’re making it a priority instead of an afterthought. You’re giving your firstfruits instead of your leftovers.

Difference Between Tithes and Offerings

People often say “tithes and offerings” together like they’re the same thing. But they’re not.

• A tithe is the first 10% of your income you give to your church.
• An offering is anything extra you give on top of that.

So, after you’ve tithed and paid all your bills and expenses for the month, you can use any extra money in your budget to give even more! This can look like giving a cash offering to your church above and beyond your normal tithe, giving money to a charity you support, giving to a friend in need, or giving your time and skills by volunteering.

Tithes vs. Offerings

Giving Type	Definition	Where It Goes	Purpose	Ramsey Tip
Tithe	The first 10% of your income	Your local church	Puts God first and supports ministry work	Make it the first line in your monthly budget—not what’s left over.
Offering	Anything you give beyond your tithe	Churches, charities or people in need	An extra way to show generosity and gratitude	Give offerings after you tithe and after covering your essentials.

Why Christians Should Tithe

I know money can be emotional. It’s easy to feel like, If I just hold on a little tighter, maybe I’ll finally feel secure. But the truth is, tithing is one of the best ways to loosen that grip and remind yourself who really provides for you.

The Bible tells us that tithing is a way to show that we trust God with our lives and our finances. Because here’s the deal: Tithing isn’t for God’s benefit. He doesn’t need our money. Instead, tithing is meant for our benefit.

Here’s why tithing matters so much:

1. Tithing shows you trust God with everything.

Sacrificing a portion of your income reminds you to rely on God to meet your needs. Tithing says, “God, I believe my provider is You—not my paycheck.” Plus, it makes you more aware of the needs of others.

“For us, the tithe is about faith. The faith to give with joy,” Angela said in her comment in the Ramsey Baby Steps Community. “I have never once regretted giving. When we started, it was tight and it wasn’t nearly 10%, but we always gave. The blessings have been amazing, far more than our gifts.”

2. Tithing supports the local church.

When you tithe, you’re helping your church be the hands and feet of Jesus. You’re fueling ministries that care for people, share the gospel, and change lives in your community. That’s a huge deal!

3. Tithing helps you stay grateful.

Generosity is the cure for greed and discontentment. When you give, your focus shifts from what you don’t have to how much you’ve already been given. That kind of gratitude brings so much peace and joy.

And here’s something interesting: Even though fewer people talk about tithing these days, about 27% of churchgoers still give 10% of their income.¹ So yes, there’s still work to do, but it’s encouraging to know that many believers are staying faithful. And get this—more young adults (ages 24–34) are actually giving above 10%!² That’s a big deal. It shows that generosity is still alive and growing in the next generation.

When you see numbers like that, it’s a reminder that generosity doesn’t belong to one age group or income level. It’s something every believer can live out because giving is more about the heart than the dollar amount.

Do Christians Have to Tithe?

While tithing 10% of your income is biblical, you’re not required to tithe to be a Christian. And you’re not a bad Christian if you don’t tithe. Thankfully, God loves us when we give and when we don’t give.

And that’s key here: We don’t have to tithe to earn God’s love—because we already have it. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus warns against focusing too much on the rules of tithing without paying attention to the more important things like justice, mercy and faithfulness. This isn’t about a rule. This is about your heart.

Bottom line? You should be giving in some way. But tithing is more of a spiritual topic than a financial one. It’s about living with the attitude that we’ve been blessed to be a blessing. In fact, 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Common Questions About Tithing and Giving

Let’s tackle a few of the questions I hear all the time about tithing—because if you’re wondering about these things, you’re definitely not the only one.

1. Should I tithe if I don’t go to church?

If you’re not currently part of a church, giving 10% to another cause is generous—but technically, that’s not a tithe. A tithe is specifically giving to your local church.

That said, generosity is always a good thing! You can absolutely give to ministries, nonprofits or people in need. The main thing is to live with a giving spirit.

2. Should I tithe while paying off debt?

Yes, you should still tithe while paying off debt. I know it’s tempting to use that money to get ahead, but the discipline and faith that tithing brings are so worth it.

“We tithed through Baby Steps 1 and 2, and God continued to bless us,” said Joshua in the Ramsey Baby Steps Community. “We are now in 4, 5 and 6 and continuing to have a heart of giving while tithing. In the long run, God doesn’t need your money—but you can’t outgive God.”

Now, there are extreme situations where people literally cannot cover their Four Walls (aka the basic expenses for survival). But for most of you, tithing can still fit in your budget with a few lifestyle changes.

Find ways to cut back on spending, whether it’s skipping a few fun purchases, packing your lunch instead of eating out every day, brewing your own coffee, or buying generic products. You’ll be amazed how freeing it feels to still give, even when things are tight.

Now, you should hold off on offerings (those extra gifts) while you’re paying off debt and put all your extra money toward your debt snowball. But that’s not for forever. Soon, you’ll be out of debt—and you’ll be free to give as generously as you want!

3. Should I tithe on my gross or net income?

This one comes up a lot! Honestly, it’s between you and God.

Some people tithe on their gross income (before taxes). Others tithe on their net income (after taxes). The point isn’t to get hung up on the math, just that you’re giving 10% of your income.

Dave Ramsey gives on his gross income—and I do too! But however you choose to do it, the goal is the same: to live generously and put God first. It’s about changing your spirit and being intentionally generous.

As for your side hustle, the 10% you give should come from your entire income. So, if you have a part-time job on the weekends that brings in $300 extra each month, add that amount to your total monthly income and tithe $30 of it.

4. Can I count my tithe on my tax return?

Yep! There’s nothing wrong with that. Taking a tax deduction doesn’t make your gift any less meaningful. The Bible tells us to be good stewards of our money, so if taking the deduction helps you manage the other 90% of your money better, then go for it.

5. Should I tithe on my tax refund? 

If you get an income tax refund, remember that’s money you’ve already tithed on during the year—although, you’re totally welcome to give some or all of it back to the Lord as even more thanks for His blessings!

Lots of folks in the Ramsey Baby Steps Community get creative with their refunds. Halee shared, “We pull 10% from our tax return and use it to sponsor kids and youth for summer camp.” She and her husband find out how much it costs per camper and see how many they can help each year.

But sidenote—tax refunds are just interest-free loans to the government, so you should really look into adjusting your withholdings if you get big tax refunds each year.

6. Should I tithe on gifts or inheritance money?

The Bible doesn’t specifically say you have to tithe on money you receive as a gift or inheritance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Really, this one is a decision between you and God.

7. How should I increase my giving when I earn more?

When your income goes up, your opportunity to give goes up too. Regular tithers already know how fun generosity can be. But when you start making more than you need, that’s when things get exciting.

You can give above and beyond your 10%. You can fund mission trips, support ministries, help families in need, or surprise someone with a blessing they’ll never forget. Trust me, when you’re intentional about looking for ways to be generous, you’ll find them.

Once you’re debt-free and building wealth, you’ll have so much freedom to give—and that’s one of the best parts of managing money God’s ways. Just make sure it’s in the budget: the giving, saving and spending. All of it!

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: Giving is the most fun you can have with your money!

Common Tithing Questions (at a Glance)

Question	Quick Answer	Ramsey Tip
What if I don’t go to church?	Giving is still good—but it’s not technically a tithe.	Find a local church home where you can give and grow.
Should I tithe while paying off debt?	Yes—it builds faith and discipline.	Tithe first, but pause extra offerings until you’re debt-free.
Should I tithe on gross or net income?	It’s between you and God. Many tithe on gross.	Be consistent and give cheerfully, not legalistically.
Should I count tithes on my taxes?	Yes, that’s good stewardship.	Claim deductions—but remember, generosity is about the heart.
Should I tithe on my tax refund?	No—you already tithed on that income, but you can give more if you want.	Adjust your withholdings so more of your money stays in your monthly budget.
Should I tithe on gifts or inheritances?	It’s optional — Scripture doesn’t require it.	Pray about it and give if you feel led. Generosity is always encouraged even when tithing isn’t required.
How should I increase giving?	As your income goes up, your opportunity to give goes up too.	Look for ways to give above your tithe with joy and intentionality.

How to Tithe and Give Faithfully

Okay, so you’re ready to start tithing—or maybe you just want to be more consistent about it. Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Pray.

Tithing is more of a heart issue than a money issue. If you’re struggling with the idea of tithing or giving, spend some time in prayer with God. Ask Him to give you wisdom and show you ways you can help others—or even pray just to be more generous. Even if giving doesn’t come naturally, prayer can help soften our hearts and refocus our intentions.

2. Try online giving.

Most churches make giving super simple these days. You may be able to give online or through a church app. And some churches even let you set up automatic withdrawals each month, which is great if you have a regular income.

If you prefer writing a check or giving cash because it feels more personal, that’s totally fine too. It really doesn’t matter if you’re giving online or in person, as long as you’re giving!

3. Do a monthly budget.

It’s hard to know how much you can give if you have no clue where your money’s going. You need a plan. You need a monthly budget!

Before the month begins, plan out every dollar of your income—starting with your tithe. Then budget for savings, your Four Walls (food, utilities, shelter, transportation) and everything else. You can even create a Random Giving budget line for when you want to help someone on the spur of the moment.

EveryDollar, Ramsey’s budgeting app, makes this super easy. You can plug in your income, set your giving goal, and track your progress every month.

Budgeting (and tithing!) might feel awkward at first, but once you stick with it, you’ll find so much freedom and peace knowing where your money’s going and that you’re using it on purpose.

Live Generously

Here’s what I want you to remember: Tithing isn’t about checking a box. It’s about living generously and trusting God with every part of your life, including your finances.

You don’t give to earn His love. You give because you already have His love.

So, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been tithing for years, keep taking steps toward living with open hands. Because when you do, you’ll experience what real financial peace—and real joy—feels like.