Issue #1 · August 4, 2026
Gross or net? The tithing question everyone asks
Welcome to the first issue of The Steward — one biblical money teaching a week, one verse worth sitting with, one practical step. Thank you for being here at the very beginning.
The main thing: gross or net?
Ask this question in any church small group and watch the room split. Some tithe on gross (“God gets the first cut, before the government”). Some tithe on net (“I give on what actually reaches me”). Both camps quote Scripture. Both are trying to be faithful.
Here’s the honest answer: the Bible doesn’t address payroll withholding, because payroll withholding didn’t exist. What it gives us is a principle — firstfruits. “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops” (Proverbs 3:9). The Israelite farmer brought the first and best of the harvest, not the leftovers after expenses.
So the underlying question isn’t “which number satisfies the rule?” It’s “does my giving come first, or last?” A tithe calculated on net but given joyfully, first, before lifestyle spending, honors the principle. A tithe calculated on gross but given grudgingly misses it entirely — “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
If you want a practical starting point: many Christians begin with net because it’s simple and visible on every paycheck, then move toward gross as faith and finances grow. The direction of travel matters more than the starting line.
Verse of the week
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” — Proverbs 3:9–10
One practical step
Open our free tithing calculator and run your numbers both ways — gross and net. Look at the difference in real dollars. Then decide, on purpose, which number reflects the giver you want to become. That’s it. No guilt, just clarity.
Worth your attention
- What the Bible says about money — 2,000+ verses, organized by the questions people actually ask.
- The free 10-lesson course — if this issue was forwarded to you, the course is the best place to start.
The Steward is published by GodlyMoney Institute Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for Christian financial education. Educational content, not financial advice. Forwarded this? Get your own free copy →