Direct answer: The New Testament does not command Christians to tithe a fixed 10 percent. Instead, it emphasizes cheerful, voluntary, proportional, and generous giving as freely as one’s means allow, often guided by love, gratitude, and needs within the church and beyond. Explanation and context

• Core shift from Old to New Covenant: The Mosaic law included tithes and multiple offerings, totaling a substantial portion of income for temple service and care for the needy. The New Covenant emphasizes generosity that flows from faith rather than adherence to a fixed percentage. This is reflected in passages that call Christians to give joyfully and proportionally, rather than compulsorily.

• Jesus’ teaching and examples: Jesus affirms the practice of giving to God in good conscience, but he also rebukes neglect of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The emphasis is on the heart’s motive and holistic obedience rather than strict percentage-based rules for all followers.

• Apostolic guidance on giving: The early church encouraged sharing resources to meet needs, support church leaders, and advance the mission. The instruction is about generosity, not a legal requirement of 10%.

• Practical implications for modern believers: Many Christian teachers and denominations discourage binding Christians to a universal 10% tithe, instead urging regular, planned giving that is proportional to income and circumstances, with a focus on generosity and support for those in need.

Key nuances and common questions

• Is 10% a good starting point? For some, 10% serves as a helpful baseline or teaching on generosity, but it is not a universal mandate in the New Testament. Different traditions encourage different practical guidelines based on scripture, teaching, and context.

• What about Old Testament examples? Abraham, Jacob, and the Mosaic system illustrate tithing within their time frames, but the New Testament reorients giving to voluntary, generous participation rather than statutory percentages.

• Do any New Testament passages imply a fixed percentage? No explicit New Testament command requires 10% for all believers; the emphasis is on generosity according to one’s means and God’s guidance.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific tradition or denomination and compare how they frame giving today (e.g., evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, or mainline Protestant perspectives).