To tithe or not to tithe? That seems to be the question on the minds of many young Christians these days.
According to a recent study by Lifeway Research, only 66 percent of respondents aged 18 to 34 believe that tithing is a biblical commandment that applies today, compared to 77 percent of churchgoers overall.
The study, conducted online with a sample of 1,002 American Protestant churchgoers, found those who attend worship services more frequently are more likely to believe in tithing. Eighty percent of respondents who attend a worship service at least four times a month agreed that tithing is a biblical commandment, compared to 72 percent of those who attend one to three times a month.
But why are young adults less likely to believe in tithing? The study didn’t provide definitive answers, but there are a few possibilities.
For starters, it’s no secret that many young adults are struggling financially. They may be burdened with student loan debt, facing high rent or mortgage payments, or struggling to find a job that pays a living wage. In these circumstances, it can be difficult to justify giving 10 percent of one’s income to a church.
Studies also show that millennials and Gen Z are often skeptical of institutions and traditional authority figures. They may question the validity of tithing as a biblical commandment, especially if they feel that the church is more interested in their money than in their spiritual well-being.
Additionally, the Lifeway study suggested young adults may simply not be getting enough teaching on the subject of tithing. As Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell noted in a statement about the study, a lack of teaching on tithing may be contributing to this trend.
“Giving 10 percent of your earnings to God is still a widespread standard among churchgoers,” McConnell said. “The small decline in considering tithing a command appears to be more from a lack of teaching on the subject than a rejection of such teaching.”
