Tithes and offerings is the lifeblood that keeps our church moving forward, and is a key component of good financial stewardship. It allows us and the ministries we help support to be able to fulfill the mission, vision, & call God has placed on us and them.

It is important to remember that when we give our tithes and offerings that we are only giving back to Him that which is already His. He alone supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory. We’re stewards entrusted with money and riches by God. As stewards, God trusts us to use this money for His glory.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving tithes and offerings puts our love for God before our worldly wealth and shows that our heart is always with Him.

So What Is The Difference Between Tithes and Offerings?

Tithes and offerings are closely related because they both involve giving. However, there are two key differences between tithes and offerings:

Amount

Tithes literally mean “one-tenth”, so it has a set amount of 10% of your income, as defined by Scripture: “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.” (Leviticus 27:30)

Meanwhile, offerings have no set amount. Everyone can decide how much to give with each offering, as mentioned in the Bible, “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that He has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16:17)

Priority

Whenever you make money, you’re called on to give tithes first. This means tithing is the first priority when giving. Meanwhile, offerings are generally optional and come after the tithe.

How Are The Tithes and Offerings Used?

Scripture is very specific about how these funds are to be used:

Tithes

• Funding programs for the needy
• Donating to charities

Offerings

• Marinating the church and equipment
• Paying church bills

Scriptures about tithes and offerings:

• “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
• “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
• “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” (Proverbs 18:16)
• “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)