Giving Beyond the Tithe: Offerings, Alms, and Extraordinary Generosity

"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me... And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones... that person will certainly not lose their reward." — Matthew 10:37-42, NIV

For many believers, the conversation about giving stops at the tithe. "I give 10%. I'm generous." But Scripture distinguishes between the tithe—the regular, foundational gift—and offerings, alms, and extraordinary acts of generosity beyond that.

The tithe is the baseline. Offerings and alms are the overflow.

Understanding this distinction liberates believers to give far more generously than they imagined. It reframes the tithe not as the ceiling of obligation but as the floor of baseline commitment. Above that floor, the possibilities for generosity are nearly limitless.

The Tithe vs. Offering in Old Testament Practice

In ancient Israel, the tithe (10%) was mandatory, supporting the Levites and the temple system. But offerings existed separately and were voluntary:

The people of Israel could tithe their 10% and then bring additional offerings as the Spirit moved them. On major feast days, people brought extra gifts. When the temple was being built or repaired, people gave beyond their tithe.

Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages this pattern: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing." The "firstfruits" could be interpreted as the tithe, and the overflowing barns represent God's blessing. But Proverbs also assumes ongoing generosity beyond just the tithe.

Alms in New Testament Teaching

Jesus and the apostles don't use the word "tithe" regarding believers. Instead, they discuss almsgiving—compassionate gifts to the poor.

Luke 12:33 records Jesus teaching: "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."

This isn't a command to sell everything (Jesus affirms wealthy believers elsewhere), but rather a call to generous almsgiving. Give to the poor. Don't let wealth become your security.

1 John 3:17 makes the connection between faith and almsgiving explicit: "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"

Almsgiving wasn't an obligation in the way tithing was. It was a natural overflow of faith. You gave to the poor because you loved them and believed God owned your resources.

The Hierarchy of Generosity

A healthy financial life might look like this:

Tier 1: Tithe (base commitment) Your regular, automatic, foundational giving. 10% or whatever percentage you've determined. It funds your church and chosen kingdom work. This is non-negotiable in your budget—it's the floor.

Tier 2: Offerings (responsive generosity) When your church has a special project (building, missions initiative, disaster relief fund), you might give an extra $200-500 beyond your regular tithe. These are responsive to genuine needs.

Tier 3: Alms (compassionate giving) When you encounter someone in need—a friend facing a crisis, a homeless person on the street, a disaster victim—you give. These aren't budgeted; they flow from a generous heart.

Tier 4: Sacrificial giving (exceptional commitment) In moments of particular conviction or gratitude, you might make a larger-than-usual gift. Perhaps 1-2 months of extra income goes to a missionary you support or a cause you're passionate about.

For someone earning $72,000/year (net $54,000):

• Tier 1 (Tithe): $450/month ($5,400/year)
• Tier 2 (Offerings): $50/month average ($600/year)
• Tier 3 (Alms): $20-50/month as opportunities arise ($240-600/year)
• Tier 4 (Sacrificial): $200-500 annually for special convictions

This person's annual giving could reach $6,400-6,700—roughly 11-12% of net income, significantly above the base tithe. And it feels sustainable because the base is 10%, with the additional 1-2% coming from flexibility and overflow.

Building Generosity Beyond the Tithe

Start with the tithe. Commit to your 10% (or chosen percentage) and automate it. This is your foundation.

Add a sinking fund for offerings. Set aside $20-30/month into an "offerings" account separate from your regular tithe. When your church announces a need or a cause appeals to you, you have resources ready.

Practice almsgiving intentionally. Carry cash. When you encounter need, you can respond immediately. This habit-forms compassion and generosity.

Watch for causes that stir your heart. Maybe it's adoption, international missions, foster care, or homelessness. When you encounter a ministry aligned with your passion, consider a larger gift beyond your regular tithe.

Plan annual sacrificial gifts. At year's end or during tax-refund season, designate a portion for a special offering or exceptional gift. This allows you to plan without derailing your regular budget.

The Paradox of Generous Giving

Proverbs 11:24-25 states the paradox well: "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Generosity seems backward from a financial standpoint. Giving away money should make you poorer, not richer. Yet Scripture consistently teaches that generous people prosper.

This isn't prosperity gospel. It's not a guarantee that tithing $6,000 yields $60,000 return. Rather, it's an observation: Generous people make wiser financial decisions. They're less consumed with money. They trust God more fully. They help others, build community, and often find unexpected blessing flows back to them (not from God as transaction, but from the social and spiritual health generosity produces).

Someone giving 15% of income while living on 85% has learned discipline, trust, and gratitude. These qualities produce better financial outcomes than someone grasping at every dollar while giving little.

Case Study: From Tithe to Extraordinary Generosity

Marcus started giving 10% of his $68,000 salary ($680/month). It was his tithe, automated and consistent.

Two years into this practice, Marcus had a profound experience where he felt God's provision in an unusual way. Simultaneously, he heard about a local crisis pregnancy center needing funds for an ultrasound machine ($3,000).

Rather than giving from his regular tithe, Marcus did something unusual. Over three months, he increased his giving by an extra $200/month from the money he might have spent on dining out and entertainment. He sacrificed a planned vacation (worth about $1,500) and directed that to the machine. He asked two friends if they wanted to join in, and they each contributed $300.

Together with others, the ultrasound machine was fully funded. Marcus gave roughly $1,500 beyond his normal tithe over that year—an extra 2.2% of income.

The result? Marcus's faith deepened. He realized he could live on less than he thought. His relationships with his friends strengthened as they gave together. The crisis pregnancy center's capacity expanded. And Marcus discovered a passion for supporting life-affirming causes that now shapes his charitable giving.

The tithe was the starting point. But extraordinary generosity beyond it transformed his faith and impact.

When Giving Beyond the Tithe Isn't Appropriate

Sometimes you need to focus on the foundation:

• During financial crisis: Maintain your tithe, but don't add offerings beyond it if doing so undermines your stability
• While building emergency fund: Get to three months of expenses first; then expand giving
• While paying high-interest debt: Tithe, but use extra funds for debt payoff, not increased giving
• When family relationships are strained: Consult your spouse and agree on additional giving; don't unilaterally increase it

The tithe should be joyful and sustainable. If maintaining it causes stress, reduce it. Only when the tithe is genuinely comfortable should you expand to offerings and alms.

Practical Next Steps

1. Confirm your tithe is sustainable and joyful. If not, adjust the base percentage.
2. Set up a separate sinking fund for offerings ($20-50/month depending on income)
3. Identify one cause you're passionate about. When you encounter it, be ready to give beyond your tithe.
4. Ask your church about special offerings. Mark them on your calendar and plan to participate.
5. Practice regular almsgiving. Carry cash and give when you encounter need.
6. Plan one annual sacrificial gift. Perhaps at year's end, give a significant amount to a cause you love.

Generosity, properly practiced, starts with a committed tithe and flows out in offerings, alms, and extraordinary gifts. This progression deepens your faith, strengthens your character, and advances God's kingdom far more than a baseline tithe alone.

Sources

• Piper, John. "Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist." Multnomah, 2011.
• Köstenberger, Andreas J. & Mask, David C. "The Apostles' Teaching About Money." B&H Publishing, 2021.
• Alcorn, Randy C. "Money, Possessions, and Eternity." Tyndale, 2003.