Should a Christian tithe off miscellaneous income, i.e. inheritance, gifts, winnings, tax refunds, legal settlements, etc.?

Whatever our possessions are, our first thought should be as to how to honor the Lord in the use of them. For all that we have comes from Him, and in regard to the first fruits of crops, our first thought is to be of Christ, the Giver. We do not need to wait for the proceeds of all our labor for the year, then give a tenth. Rather, though we are not commanded (as Israel was) to give one-tenth of our income to God, yet we are encouraged in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper." No exact amount is even suggested, but "as he may prosper" leaves this to the individual's faith. Yet, 2 Corinthians 9:6 tells us, "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." This beautifully confirms the fact that believers are not under law, but under grace. This is individual too in Proverbs 3:10.

In the New Testament, rather than being commanded to give tithes, believers are encouraged to give only as they may purpose in their hearts, in appreciation of the pure grace of God. How good to be reminded that "God loves a cheerful give" (2 Cor.9:7).

In New Testament times many were punctilious in paying tithes of small things, while they neglected the weightier matters of the law — judgement, mercy, and faith. Matt. 23:23. A definite tenth or fifth is not enforced in the N.T., but liberality is enjoined. "God loveth a cheerful giver:" he that soweth sparingly will reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully will reap bountifully: "he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord." Paul told the saints to lay by for the special collection he was making for the poor 'as God had prospered' each. God required of them according to what they had, and not according to what they had not. The poor widow who cast in the two mites cast in more than the rich, for it was her whole living. At the commencement of the church many gave up their possessions and the saints had 'all things common;' but failure soon came in, and we may learn from the general tenour of the epistles that such a state of things would not continue, though the principle abides that we do not call any of the things we possess our own.

Tithing (giving 10% of one's income) was definitely part of the Old Testament law and the religious life of the Jews. In Malachi 3:8-9 the people of Israel were charged with robbing God by not paying tithes. God made it clear in no uncertain terms that they were not prospering materially because they were selfish. God promised them blessing if they would pay their tithes. Is tithing still the way of Christian giving, as some teach? It is noticeable that in the New Testament Christian converts were never asked to tithe anything to the church. Tithing in the church first appears centuries after completion of the Bible.

Tithing (giving 10% of one’s income) was definitely part of the Old Testament law and the religious life of the Jews. In Malachi 3:8–9 the people of Israel were charged with robbing God by not paying tithes. God made it clear in no uncertain terms that they were not prospering materially because they were selfish. God promised them blessing if they would pay their tithes. Is tithing still the way of Christian giving, as some teach? It is noticeable that in the New Testament Christian converts were never asked to tithe anything to the church. Tithing in the church first appears centuries after the completion of the Bible.

Proverbs 3:9 says, ‘Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase’. This is a principle which many particularly older ones obey. From whatever source their income is derived, they are careful to see that at least one tenth goes to the Lord. And whenever there has been an increase, whether in salary, or as a result of an award, the first of such an increase has been given to the Lord. It has been well said that if under the law one tenth must be given to God, if less than that is given under grace then that is a disgrace!

THE LAST DIRECTION of the Apostle in this epistle concerns the special collection being made at that time for poor saints in Judaea. Today in many religious circles money is so often the first topic. Here it is the last. Still it comes in, and instructions of abiding value are given. In verse 2 systematic giving is advocated as opposed to haphazard. Proportionate giving is also what God expects — in proportion to the prosperity which God Himself may have given. In Jewish days God fixed the proportion at one tenth. He has not fixed any proportion for us who are under grace; but depend upon it we shall hear something pretty serious at the judgment seat if we fall below the standard set by the law. If all believers practised giving which is both proportionate and systematic, there would be no money problem in connection with the work of the Lord. The chapter division perhaps leads us to miss the connection between 1 Cor. 15:58, and 1 Cor. 16:2.

Far be the thought that it is a matter of law now with us. Never in the New Testament as far as we are aware is there any suggestion that we must give one tenth of our income. No, it is essentially a "voluntary offering", given entirely of our own free will, given at the time when we are remembering how the Lord gave Himself, gave all, for us, and my gift is the mark of my appreciation of His gift, and is the overflow of my heart in thanksgiving to Him. Mr. J. G. Bellett remarks: "The world will give what it can spare, the Lord gives what cost Him everything. John 14:27." Our giving is in reality just as true worship as our hymns of praise or thanksgiving. Indeed we get them connected in Heb. 13:15-16, "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise … But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

The tithe was one tenth. A little arithmetic will provide a short lesson in spiritual economics. Suppose an assembly with 20 married couples with an average yearly wage of $35,000 or about $675 per week. Something like $1,350 in the collection would result each week if tithing were the rule nowadays.[1] It is not, but as under grace we have received much more than those under law ever did we ought to be far more generous in our giving.

Does the Lord’s work in the area where you presently are suffer from poor support? Would there not be much more that could be done if more support was forthcoming? Further note that the tithe was only the ordinary thing. On top of it were the offerings, sacrifices, the first and the best!

However, in receiving tithes, the Levites were not exempted from paying tithes. When the tithes were brought in from the other tribes, then the Levites were to offer to God a heave offering of one tenth of the tithes (v.26). In our present day of grace no law is given as to tithing. Instead the measure of our giving is "as he may prosper" (1 Cor.16:2) or "as he purposes in his heart" (2 Cor.9:7). The amount is left to the spiritual exercises of each individual. Support may he given, as to the Lord, from the people of God, to the need of the Lord's servants. The servant is to be just as exercised as they in reference to his using funds for the sake of the Lord, and be glad to give as the Lord prospers him.