When it comes to things that you think you’ll hear from your accountant, I’m fairly certain that tithing as a business owner probably wasn’t on your radar. And while we certainly won’t tell you that you HAVE to tithe, we want to look at a few Biblical reasons to tithe and a couple of different ways to tithe as a business owner.
What is tithing? Where do Christians typically tithe? What’s the right way to tithe, and how do you start tithing as an entrepreneur if you aren’t already?
The word “tithing” or “tithe” is from the Hebrew word meaning tenth. According to Jewish teaching, “The term ‘tithe’ (Heb. ‘maaser’) — meaning, the one tenth part of something given to charity — appears often in the Torah …” (Chabad.org).
The Heart Behind Tithing
First off, and most importantly, is your mindset, or your heart behind tithing. We are NOT here to tell you that you HAVE to title in order to get into heave. As broke humans, we could never buy or earning our way into heave – thus our desperate need for the blood of Jesus and His Lordship in our life. Because of this, we don’t tithe to buy our way into heaven. We tithe because everything we have was given to us BY God. We are thankful for every breath we breathe.
“Each of you must decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT)
Christians tithe because it is all God’s anyway. How could we NOT give back to the one who has given us everything?
A Biblical Foundation for Tithing
Historically, God commanded the Israelites to give one-tenth of all their produce or income as the tithe. Additionally, they were commanded to give other offerings throughout the year for different festivals.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
— Malachi 3:10 (NLT)
And while many Christians will argue that tithing was done away with under the old covenant, if you look at the rules of first mention, then you will see that tithing originated before the old covenant. Abraham brought the first tithe to the priest Melchizedek, which was before the old covenant was cut. Therefore, you could argue that tithing was established before the old covenant and therefore not done away with when the old covenant was fulfilled at the cross.
“And Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.”
— Genesis 14:20b (NLT)
Giving as Worship
Tithing is more than just a financial practice – it’s worship. When we give back to God, we are declaring with our actions that He comes first.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
— Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT)
Jesus also reminded His followers to prioritize God’s Kingdom over earthly needs:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
— Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Where to Give Your Tithe
Most Christian pastors would agree that the tithe should be brought to your local church. This is because it is the place where you are planted. And this makes sense, right?
“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
— Psalm 92:13 (NKJV)
Just like plants add nutrients back into the soil that feeds them, it makes sense that we, as Christ followers, should add back into the soil where we grow—with both our finances and our talents (by serving in your local church).
The Blessing of Generosity
When you tithe or give generously, you’re not only supporting the local church or ministries. You’re also positioning yourself to receive God’s blessing in return.
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
— Luke 6:38 (NLT)
How to Tithe as a Business Owner
“So how do I tithe as a business owner? My revenue isn’t always the same.”
This is where the tithe equaling 10% actually makes life easier!
Giving tithes isn’t about giving what you don’t have. It is simply about honoring God with what you DO have. As a business owner, you can choose to tithe from the business, your personal finances, or both.
If you choose to tithe from the business, you can decide to give 10% of revenue before any expenses, or you can choose to give 10% of the profit (revenue minus expenses). Just know that for tax purposes, charitable contributions are generally subject to limits—for individuals, cash contributions are deductible up to 50% of adjusted gross income (with lower limits applying in some cases). For corporations, charitable gifts are deductible up to 10% of taxable income (IRS.gov).
Conclusion
At the end of the day, tithing isn’t about complicated formulas—it’s about honoring God with what He has already entrusted to you. As a business owner, you have a unique opportunity to use your income not just to provide for your family but to invest in the Kingdom. Whether you choose to tithe from your business revenue, your personal income, or both, start with a heart of gratitude and a willingness to trust God with your finances.
If you’d like help setting up your finances in a way that supports your business goals and your giving goals, book a consultation with our team today!
