A national survey finds that most Protestant churchgoers believe in tithing 10% of their income, but following through on that belief varies widely between denominations.
The study released last week by Lifeway Research, a firm affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, found that 77% of Protestant churchgoers in the U.S. affirm that “tithing is a biblical command that still applies today.” Only 10% rejected this belief and another 13% were unsure.
Yet, the study found that only 12% of Methodist churchgoers tithe; 17% of Restorationist/Church of Christ churchgoers tithe; and 19% of Lutheran churchgoers tithe. Lutherans were also most likely to reject the notion of tithing, with 59% saying they don’t embrace the teaching.
Lutherans’ rejection of tithing “makes a lot of sense historically,” said David Croteau, dean of Columbia Biblical Seminary, commenting on the survey. “Martin Luther himself did not believe that Christians were required to tithe,” he told The Roys Report (TRR).
Evangelical beliefs in tithing have declined by 6% since 2017, according to the online survey—and also varied by age. Only 66% of respondents aged 18 to 34 affirmed that tithing is currently applicable, the lowest of any demographic group.
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Tithing was strongest among Baptists with 40% of Baptist churchgoers saying they tithe. Close behind were Presbyterian/Reformed and non-denominational churchgoers with 34% saying they tithe.
Protestant groups with strong beliefs in the Bible’s authority may be interpreting “clear commands in the Old Testament about tithing” into their church’s doctrine, said Croteau. “Without a careful hermeneutic, those passages are quickly applied to Christians in the New Covenant (by) those who have a high view of Scripture.”
Overall, about half of Protestant churchgoers (51%) report regularly giving a tenth of their income or “above and beyond” a tithe to their local church. More than 3 in 10 (31%) respondents admit they “are not always consistent” in tithing or that their financial situation makes it hard to give.
The nationally representative survey of 1,002 Protestant churchgoers was conducted last September and has a margin of error of 3.3%.
Lifeway’s findings are similar to a recent survey by Barna Group, which stated that 42% of practicing Christians say they give at least 10% of their income to a church or ministry.
Yet that study conducted last fall also noted many Protestant pastors seem to be reframing how they teach about giving. Only one in three pastors (33%) believe the traditional 10% tithe should be the standard for their church’s giving, according to Barna’s survey.
Practice of tithing evolves beyond local church
The new Lifeway survey also finds that churchgoers who practice tithing are increasingly giving those funds to Christian ministries and charitable causes apart from their local church.
Since 2017, the survey reports a shift of about 8% of respondents who view giving to other Christian ministries or “an individual in need” as avenues for tithing beyond their local church.
A question about tithing to a secular charity revealed significant differences among Protestant groups. Churchgoers who are Lutheran (45%) or Restorationist/Church of Christ (44%) are more likely to affirm giving tithe money to a secular charity than Baptists (19%) and non-denominational evangelicals (22%).
Last year, televangelist and Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar renounced his past decades-long teachings on tithing. In a sermon, Dollar urged congregants to “throw away every book, every tape, and every video I ever did on the subject of tithing.”
In a time of churches’ tightening budgets, Croteau, author of Tithing After the Cross, said he often hears concerns that giving will decline if a church’s teaching shifts away from tithing. But he contends that’s the wrong mindset.
“Ever since the modern emphasis on tithing began—in the 1870s—it has not helped increase giving among evangelicals,” he said. “Giving now is similar to giving during the Great Depression.”
Croteau said he urges pastors and lay leaders to study New Testament principles of “grace giving,” which he defines as systematic, sacrificial, and generous.
“Law is not a good motivator,” he added. “Love is a much better motivator and will last much longer than law.”
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.
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8 Responses
One group mentioned, the Church of Christ (Restoration) probably doesn’t tithe but has traditionally taught that a believer gives liberally out of what God has blessed them with. While not bound to tithe, many do give beyond what that amount would be. Far from stinginess, it’s actually the opposite.
It’s interesting how many evangelical churches want nothing to do with OT teachings on moralism or works righteousness (rightfully so), but some how find tithing a NT carryover. Tithing was a tax. Christians churches shouldn’t tax their attendees/members. The Christian teaching is to give freely and sacrificially.
The thing that really irritates me about requiring or “encouraging” people to tithe is that the rich feel no sacrifice and the poor are left to feel guilty if they don’t give 10%. People should give sacrificially and that could be 25% for some; 2% for others.
I never could figure out how leaders express tithing your income as a NT command. Hebrews 7:5 was meant as a tax to help the Levites and there were TWO tithes for that. A THIRD was to help the poor Every third year.
Yet, people sold possessions and gave it to the apostles to help those in need, not to build up the worship lights and sound.
I have a hard time giving because it goes more to promotion and conferences than the poor. Too many church kingdom building than Christ.
Tithing began with Abraham (Gen 14) 400 years before the law was instituted under Moses. Jacob (Gen 28) promised a tenth to the Lord, again, well before the law was given. Malachi 3 declares the blessing received by those who bring their tithes. Jesus (Matt 23) condemns the pharisees for ignoring the spirit of the law, but approves of tithing even on spices. Tithing belongs to the Lord, to support His work. Therefore, we as Christians, should Pay our tithes, and Give our offerings and to charity.
Michael is correct to point out that Abraham tithed but tithing was practiced long before Abraham. All the great ancient civilizations of Assyrian, Babylon, Greece, Carthage, Rome, and other empires practiced tithing and the only explantion for this is that either at or before the flood tithing was given by divine revelation, just like blood sacrifice. Nobody has ever been able to explain why so many peoples practiced returning 10%. The Apostle Paul appealed to the tithing model and said this was commanded by the Lord for supporting the gospel (1 Cor 9:13-14).
I would love to hear Croteau’s take on churches who require their staff members to tithe.
Or even a study done on the belief of the requirements of a church staff member to tithe.
As I understand it, a tithe was 10% under the old covenant. So under the old covenant God said “90% is yours to keep” Not a bad deal from God was it.
Now under the New Covenant Christians are not under the law to give 10%.
So how do modern day Christians view tithing. They say we don’t have to tithe we must give cheerfully.
So modern day Christians who are anti tithe cheerfully keep 100% to themselves.
Doesn’t sound right.
I do believe in tithing, but am alarmed at the legalistic approach to it by many churches. Several years ago, I walked out of a church that required all members to submit a paystub to “open an account” that would be tracked for tithing – with certain ministries and services newly restricted to “tithing” members (who had to prove it by providing their account number).
This is too much.