"You don't need to tithe." That's what most Christians will tell you. Most believe the archaic tithe definition isn't relevant for us today. However, we need to ask what the Bible says in this confused Christian world. So, what is tithing? Tithing means giving a tenth of your increase.

The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 14:22, "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year." Though not popularly practiced today, tithing is one of the most fundamental biblical teachings that are misunderstood.

Most professing "Christian" leaders will teach their adherents that tithing is part of the Old Testament and, therefore, unnecessary. But is this what the Bible accurately teaches? Here are some reasons why you should tithe.

It's practiced in the Old Testament.

Tithing originated centuries before the founding of the Nation of Israel. Tithing has always been practiced by people who are faithful to God and in His ways. Abraham, the father of the faithful (Romans 4:11), is a prime example of this. After winning a battle against five kings, he gave a tenth to the priestly order of Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-22).

He recognized the importance of worshiping God with one's substance and possession. Another patriarch who practices tithing is Jacob (Gen. 28:20-22). You are gravely mistaken if you think that tithing is for the Israelites only.

Jesus upholds tithing.

Contrary to popular beliefs, Jesus, our God, Lord, and Master, defends tithing. In His confrontation with the Pharisees, He tells them to tithe and at the same time not forget other matters of the law, described in Matthew 23:23. He told the Pharisees that tithing is an integral part of following the commandments of God in addition to justice, mercy, and faith.

God is the source of our blessings.

Exodus 19:5 tells us that God is the possessor of everything. He made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. Even our very own life comes from God. God gives us the power to acquire what we have, described in Deuteronomy 8:18. Tithing teaches us to recognize God as our supreme Provider and Sustainer. We only return a fraction of what God gave us when we tithe.

Tithing is a form of worship.

Proverbs 3:9-10 tells us, "Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." This verse tells us that we should honor God with our substance and not just our surpluses. God is not requesting us, but He commands us to honor Him with our possessions.

Tithing is an act of faith.

There is no doubt that the primary problem for most people is money. More and more people have a hard time managing their finances and getting free from financial traps. When we use human reasoning, giving your money to a God you do not see seems illogical. Why would you give money to someone when you barely have enough?

This is the reasoning one may face when tithing. Yet, God still asks us to tithe despite our shortcomings. Will you be able to trust God that He will provide what you need even though your mind is telling you otherwise? Tithing teaches us to be faithful to our Supreme Provider no matter what the situation we are in. After all, 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we walk by faith, not by sight.

Tithing develops Godly character.

Selfishness can hinder us from developing godly character. Since our natural mind is geared towards self-preservation, we find it hard to give. Still, Jesus Christ said that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" in Acts 20:35.

Now it is hard to believe this statement through the human mind. Most of us will consider being blessed when we are at the receiving end, but Christ thinks otherwise. When you tithe, you learn to "not seek [your] own, but each one the other's well-being," as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:24.

Tithing is a clear demonstration of your commitment to what Jesus said to His disciples. In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus told them, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Tithing is holy.

Holy means set apart. The tithe is set apart for God's work, and it is sacred in God's sight. Leviticus 27:30-32 tells us, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's. It is holy to the LORD.

God owns everything in its truest sense, but He only asks us to give a tenth back to Him. He holds the levy, and we do not have the right to spend it in any way we like. When you use the tithe other than the way God intended it should be, we are defiling what God considers holy.

God demanded to tithe.

God ordained tithing, and He commands His people to tithe, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:22. God commanded his people to tithe to have funds for God's work, caring for the poor, and keeping the feasts. It is impossible to preach the Gospel without a financial aid in today's world. Therefore, it is only imperative for God's people to tithe for carrying out the mission God gave us (Matt. 28:19-20). If you want to know what is truly important to a person, look at where they spend their money. Your bank statements genuinely reflect what you value.

Scripture teaches us that if you love God, how you use your money will reflect that love. God wants you to manage what you have for His glory—your time, talent, temple, testimony, and treasures—and give back a portion of what He has given you. Paying tithes will not save a person. Everyone must be born again to be saved. Still, paying tithes will reap a blessing. Genuine Christians not only pay tithes, but they willingly pay tithes.