The question of whether Christians should tithe off miscellaneous income not from a regular job is an important one for believers who want to honor God with their finances. The Bible does not explicitly command tithing off miscellaneous income sources, but looking at principles in Scripture can help provide wisdom for how to handle these situations.
First, it is helpful to understand what the tithe is. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to give 10% of their income back to Him, through supporting the Levites and the tabernacle/temple system (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-24, Deuteronomy 14:22-29). This principle of the tithe is not explicitly commanded in the New Testament, but is seen as a helpful guideline for believers wanting to generously support gospel ministry.
The New Testament emphasizes principles of generous, sacrificial, cheerful giving as part of the Christian life (2 Corinthians 8-9). So the 10% number is not a strict requirement, but rather a helpful starting point for cultivating a lifestyle of stewardship and reliance on God rather than money. The key question, then, in applying the tithe to miscellaneous income sources is whether it helps live out godly principles of stewardship, generosity and trust in the Lord.
With that background in mind, here are several factors to consider when deciding whether to tithe from miscellaneous income sources:
Is it true increase/income?
The Old Testament tithe was commanded on agricultural increase from the Promised Land and livestock herds (Leviticus 27:30-33, Deuteronomy 14:22). Income that simply represents transfer of assets likely does not fall under the same category of tithable income. For example, withdrawing money from a savings account, taking out a loan, or selling an asset at no gain would not qualify as increase to be tithed from.
Is it recurring or one-time?
Sources of income that regularly recur may be good candidates for ongoing tithing, as they represent sustainable increase that can be consistently stewarded for gospel ministry. However, unexpected one-time income like an inheritance may better be treated differently – perhaps designating an especially generous one-time gift to the Lord’s work rather than treating 10% as a requirement going forward.
What are your motives and the heart behind it?
As mentioned above, the New Testament emphasizes that God cares more about the heart and spirit in which believers give than the fixed percentage (2 Corinthians 9:7). If setting aside 10% of miscellaneous income sources helps develop a generous heart for giving rather than a legalistic mindset, it can be a good practice. If it leads to resentment, stinginess or feeling constrained in unwanted duty, it may be less helpful.
Does it fund gospel ministry?
A key purpose of the tithe was supporting the Levites for ministry and taking care of the tabernacle in Israel. When Christians tithe today, a worthy goal is designating a significant portion to the local church and ministries who further the spread of the gospel at home and abroad (1 Corinthians 9:7-14). Tithing from miscellaneous income can further this purpose.
Could the money meet other needs?
Since the tithe is not explicitly commanded of Christians in the New Testament, there can be wisdom in considering other godly purposes for unexpected sources of income beyond giving the first 10% away. Perhaps some funds could meet urgent needs in your family or community. The key is asking God for wisdom on how to steward the funds He has entrusted to you through this increase.
There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. Some believers will choose to consistently tithe 10% from every source of income as a habit and expression of putting God first in their finances. Others may take a more case-by-case approach. The New Testament gives principles of generous, sacrificial, cheerful giving but does not spell out a one-size-fits-all system for every situation.
The most important things are praying for wisdom, studying Scripture, and being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit for your situation. God cares more about the motivations of your heart than rigidly following a rule. Seek to glorify Him in your giving from whatever sources He chooses to bless you with increase.
In summary, though tithing off miscellaneous income is not explicitly commanded in the Bible, doing so can be a helpful practice for some believers who want to honor God with their finances. The principles of generous, sacrificial giving in the New Testament offer guidance but not rigid rules. Seeking God in prayer for wisdom, studying Scripture, and listening to the Spirit’s leading are vital for deciding how to steward unexpected sources of income for God’s glory.
Philippians 4:19 encourages, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” As we seek God first and honor Him in how we manage finances, we can trust Him to guide us in glorifying Him with income sources both expected and unexpected for the advance of the gospel.
Here are some key Bible verses that relate to this topic of tithing off miscellaneous income:
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
1 Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
Acts 20:35 – “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
2 Corinthians 8:7 – “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
Deuteronomy 16:17 – “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 – “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Hebrews 7:1-2 – “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
1 Corinthians 16:1-3 – “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.”
Exodus 35:21 – “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.”
Matthew 6:3-4 – “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Proverbs 11:24-25 – “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Romans 12:8 – “…the one who contributes, in generosity…”
Luke 12:33-34 – “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18 – “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.'”
Philippians 4:15-19 – “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 4:32-35 – “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
Mark 12:41-44 – “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
The Bible does not give explicit commands about tithing off miscellaneous income, but the principles of generosity, wise stewardship, and trusting God’s provision offer helpful guidance. With prayer and the Spirit’s guidance, Christians can make wise decisions that honor the Lord with unexpected income. The key is relying on God rather than money, and being ready to use increase to care for others and promote gospel ministry for His glory.