How Much Should I Tithe?

The short answer: most Christians tithe 10% of their income. The harder question — the one people actually search for — is whether that 10% should come from your gross income (before taxes) or your net income (what actually hits your bank account).

Gross income: the "firstfruits" approach

In the Old Testament, Israel was instructed to give God the firstfruits of their harvest — the first and best portion, before anything else was taken out (Proverbs 3:9). Many believers apply that same principle to their paycheck: tithe on the full amount before taxes, insurance, or any other deduction. It's the more generous of the two standards, and it treats giving as the first priority rather than what's left over.

Net income: giving from what you actually have

Others tithe on their net, take-home pay — the money that's actually theirs to use. The reasoning: taxes fund government services you don't control, so it makes sense to tithe only on what you actually receive. This is a completely common and defensible practice, especially for those on tighter budgets or self-employed with irregular income.

There's no verse that settles it

Scripture doesn't explicitly resolve the gross-vs-net debate — paychecks and payroll taxes didn't exist in the Old Testament. What matters more than which standard you pick is that you give consistently, cheerfully, and proportionally to what God has given you (2 Corinthians 9:7). Choose a standard, stick with it, and let it grow your trust rather than your anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions