Is the biblical tithe really 10%?

I often hear, "You can tithe any amount you want. It doesn't really mean a tenth of your income."

Note the resistance to do what the Bible commands in this statement. I see apprehension and lack of trust, maybe selfishness, a lack of thankfulness, a lack of generosity toward God. Maybe God won't provide enough to pay my bills. Maybe I won't be able to spend as lavishly on my own needs. Maybe I will need to give up something to give this much. Ask yourself, why am I resistant to give a full 10%? Do I really fully trust God in my finances?

Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

***God wants to bless you in your obedience.  He says, "Test me."  This is one of the only places I know where God says "test me."  God wants to bless your faithfulness in tithe and challenges you to test Him in it.  He wants to prove to you that obedience to tithing brings blessings.

My response, "Tithe actually does mean a tenth and even more than that if you should feel led by the Spirit to give more. Some people give much more yet the American church averages only 3-4% tithe. Obviously many are not obedient to or fully understand tithing. The etymology of the word tithe literally means a tenth. God has entrusted you with stewardship of His money. Of that, you are to faithfully give 10% to the ministry of the local church and you keep the other 90%. That's rather fair considering God owns it all and provided this to you. Tithing tells a lot about our hearts. Are you giving only 3%, 5%, 7% of the 10% required or maybe not tithing at all? Why are you apprehensive about giving 10%? Ask yourself, are there other areas of your life that are unsurrendered too? You say, "God you can have this but you can't have that." I hope you will give God everything He requires. Will you give God your firstfruits with trust and obedience? The word firstfruits in the Bible implies your income before expenses or spending on ourselves. So, we don't give God what is left over after our indulgences; rather, we put God first. As soon as we receive our pay, we give back to God from his abundant provision. We thank Him and then are able to invest, pay bills, or spend what is left."

And if your income increases, your tithe does so as well. In biblical times, the people lived in an agricultural society so they gave 10% of what the fields provided. Today, we live in an urban technology-driven society but the concept is still the same.

You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.
Deuteronomy 14:22

Can I give somewhere other than my local congregation like missions, organizations, other ministries, Christian radio, etc? Yes, but only after you have given 10% to your local church body. You first belong to your church. That is how God intended it. Many ministries outside the local church will also need your support. Prayerfully consider giving more than 10% to help them as well.

This year, decide to keep God's Word and put God first in your heart and prove it with your finances. It might be tough to commit to at first, but in doing so it will further surrender your heart toward him.

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."