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The Most "Un-Followed" Command? Re-examining Tithing (Malachi 3:10) vs. Trust (Proverbs 3:5-6)

A person stands on a sunlit mountain trail at sunrise, holding a Bible and gazing into the distance. The golden path winds forward through soft mist, symbolizing faith and surrender. Overlaid Scripture reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”

Introduction: Commands


Christians routinely quote Malachi 3:10 as proof that giving 10 percent is a biblical imperative, yet survey data show only a sliver of believers hit that mark (Barna Group, 2022). Others argue that Proverbs 3:5–6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."  is the broader, and far more frequently neglected, command. This blog weighs both verses, drawing on credible evangelical scholarship, cross-denominational commentary, and recent generosity statistics.


Background on Tithing


Old Testament Law and Purpose of Tithing

In the Old Testament, tithing was a clear command for Israel. The Law of Moses required the Israelites to give one-tenth of their produce and livestock to support the Levitical priests and temple work (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21). In fact, multiple tithes were prescribed—including a tithe for religious festivals and one for the poor such that the total giving was likely over 20% when all were added (GotQuestions Ministries, n.d.-a). The tithe functioned partly like a taxation system to fund Israel’s worship and welfare under the covenant (Pastor Unlikely, n.d.). Prophets like Malachi later rebuked the people for neglecting these tithes. Malachi 3:9–10 delivers a strong warning: "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me... Bring the full tithe into the storehouse" (English Standard Version Bible, 2016). In that context, Israel’s disobedience in tithing had led to agricultural hardship, and God challenged them to be faithful and see His blessing.


New Testament Teachings—A Shift in Emphasis

With the coming of Christ and the New Covenant, the approach to giving underwent a significant shift. Nowhere does the New Testament explicitly re-impose a mandatory 10% tithe upon Christians (GotQuestions Ministries, n.d.-a). Early church leaders, when deciding which Mosaic laws to require of Gentile converts, did not include tithing in their instructions (Acts 15:19–29). Jesus mentioned tithing only in critique of the Pharisees: "Woe to you... for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others" (Matthew 23:23). Importantly, Jesus was speaking to Jews under the Law, acknowledging their tithing but reprimanding them for missing the heart of God’s commands. After Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17), the early church emphasized generous, voluntary giving rather than a fixed percentage. Believers in Acts donated joyfully "as any had need," with some even selling property to share with the poor (Acts 4:34–35). The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to give "in keeping with income" and "decided in [their] heart... not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Now generosity was seen as an act of worship and love, not a legal obligation.

A close-up of a hand placing a sealed envelope into a wooden tithe box. Warm candlelight and a stained-glass window softly illuminate the background, representing quiet obedience and generosity in Christian stewardship.

Current Compliance Data

Current Compliance Data sheet

Few Follow the 10% Rule Today

Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that tithing is widely neglected in practice. Studies consistently show only a small minority of Christians actually donate 10% of their income. According to Barna research, just 21% of self-identified Christians give a tenth or more to church, and fully one-quarter give nothing at all (Barna Group, 2022). Another survey found only 5% of regular churchgoers tithe regularly (Vanco Payments, 2025). In raw numbers, out of roughly 247 million Americans identifying as Christian, only about 1.5 million people tithe well under one in ten believers. In that sense, Malachi’s injunction to "bring the full tithe" is indeed among the most ignored biblical commands.


Does God Withhold Mercy or Salvation for Not Tithing?

The consensus of Christian teaching is that salvation and God’s mercy are not for sale they are gifts of grace, received by faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). No single work, including tithing, can earn God’s forgiveness, nor does neglecting a work automatically forfeit His grace. In the Old Testament, Israel’s tithes were part of a covenant of law; under that system, disobedience could bring curses. But in the New Covenant, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by His sacrifice (Galatians 3:13). We are justified by faith, not by the works of the law (Romans 3:28).


The New Testament nowhere suggests that failing to tithe 10% will cost someone their salvation or God’s love. In fact, there is a telling parable from Jesus: a proud Pharisee in the temple boasted to God, "I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get," while a tax collector humbly begged for mercy. Jesus said it was the humble sinner, not the tithing Pharisee, who "went home justified" before God (Luke 18:10–14). The clear message is that ritual giving without a right heart means nothing in terms of one’s standing with God.

That said, our use of money is still spiritually significant. The Bible teaches that greed and love of money are dangers that can choke one’s spiritual life (1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:24). Generosity is a mark of a heart touched by God’s grace. Thus, while God does not withdraw His mercy from a non-tithing Christian, a persistent refusal to give anything at all might indicate a lack of trust or a heart issue that needs addressing.


Proverbs 3:5–6: The Ultimate Principle

Proverbs 3:5–6 calls for total reliance on God in every aspect of life. Instead of giving believers a long checklist of rules for every situation, Scripture often calls us to an attitude of trust and submission to God’s guidance. When we truly trust the Lord wholeheartedly, many specific acts of obedience giving included flow naturally from that trust.

To "trust in the Lord with all your heart" is to wholly rely upon God’s promises, wisdom, power, and love to help us in every circumstance, rather than relying on our own limited understanding (GotQuestions Ministries, n.d.-b).


Because money is the most measurable arena of trust, non-generosity often outs us as practical unbelievers. Trusting God fully leads to holistic obedience. When we acknowledge Him "in all our ways," we invite Him to direct every path our finances, relationships, moral choices, career, etc.


Two Perspectives on Tithing Today


The Case for Tithing

Some Christian teachers maintain that tithing is still a useful benchmark for giving, even if not a strict law. They point out that Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek before the Law of Moses (Genesis 14:20), suggesting the principle predates the law. Many churches rely on tithing as a teaching tool to encourage consistent generosity.


The Case Against Legalistic Tithing

Many respected Bible scholars and leaders caution strongly against making the 10% tithe a binding rule or litmus test in the church. They note that the New Testament epistles never command a tithe. To impose one, they argue, is to misapply the Mosaic Law to those under grace. Creflo Dollar, a longtime prosperity gospel preacher, recently recanted his earlier mandatory tithing teaching, stating it was driven by fear and guilt, not grace (Quintanilla, 2022).


Split image: on the left, a man stressed over bills and holding a phone; on the right, a woman sits peacefully at a window with her hands clasped in prayer over an open Bible. The contrast highlights the tension between worldly anxiety and spiritual trust.

Comparative Analysis: Tithing vs. Trust

Comparative Analysis tithing vs trust

Conclusion

Malachi 3:10 is demonstrably one of the least-obeyed explicit commands. But Proverbs 3:5–6 goes deeper: failure to trust the Lord fully produces many other sins, including stinginess. The New Testament model is Spirit-led, open-handed generosity that flows from unwavering trust. A believer who truly leans on God will give freely sometimes well above 10 percent—because security rests in God, not in a bank balance.


“Leave a comment” or “Reflect below.”


A man kneels in solitude before a wooden cross and lit candles in a quiet chapel. A single window casts warm light onto the floor. His open hands and bowed head express submission, repentance, and deep trust in God.

References:


  • English Standard Version Bible. (2016). Crossway. (Original work published 2001). https://www.esv.org






 
 
 

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