Journal of Christian Religious Studies

This article examines the concept of tithing from a Catholic perspective in the light of Malachi 3:8-10. While many contemporary Christian traditions interpret the passage as a binding obligation requiring believers to give ten percent of their income, this research argues that such interpretations often neglect the historical and covenantal contexts of the text. Through a critical analysis of Old Testament legislation, prophetic literature, New Testament teaching, and the development of doctrine within the Catholic tradition, the study demonstrates that tithing in ancient Israel functioned as part of a broader covenantal system supporting temple worship and social justice. The research further shows that the New Testament transforms the concept of tithing into a theology of voluntary and grace-filled generosity. Drawing from the teachings of the Church Fathers, scholastic theology, and magisterial documents, the study concludes that the Catholic Church does not impose a rigid ten-percent law but instead emphasizes stewardship, charity, and participation in the Eucharistic life of the Church. Ultimately, the study argues that Malachi 3:8 10 must be interpreted not as a universal financial mandate but as a call to covenant fidelity, fulfilled in the self-giving love of Christ and the communal life of the Church.

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