Should You Tithe On Business Income?

A Business Owner’s Guide to Tithing

As a Christian business owner, understanding how to honor God with your business finances can often feel complex.

One of the most common questions I receive is about tithing on business income – should you tithe on revenue, profits, or just your personal income from the business?

This question comes with many variations:

• Should I tithe on gross or net business income?
• Before or after taxes?
• On revenue or just profits?

And I recently received an email from a reader that captures this dilemma perfectly:

HI Bob and Linda, I love your book Simple Money, Rich Life, it has brought me to tears a few times! I just reach chapter 18 so maybe you cover this question later…. Or in another book….

Tithing Question My husbands owns the engineering firm we both work for and get paid from. We have always tithed from our paychecks. The company makes various charitable donations as we see fit. But do you recommend that business owners tithe on the general business income? We have not done so in the past because it is not personal income for us so it did not seem applicable. Your thoughts?

Jessie

I have written extensively about tithing and whether or not it is relevant for us as New Testament believers, so check that out if you’d like, but for this article, I want to focus specifically on this question about tithing from your business.

Biblical Principles for Business Tithing

Let me share some key principles I’ve discovered through studying Scripture and wrestling with this question in my own business:

The Principle of Firstfruits

The foundational biblical principle is that tithing comes from our “firstfruits” or income (Proverbs 3:9-10).

For business owners, this most directly applies to the actual income you receive from your business through:

• Salary
• Owner’s draws
• Distributions
• Bonuses

Understanding Business Income vs Personal Income

Business income is more complex than personal income for several important reasons:

1. Operating Expenses: Business revenue must first cover legitimate expenses like:
   • Payroll for employees
   • Equipment and supplies
   • Rent and utilities
   • Insurance
   • Taxes
2. Business Reinvestment: Remaining profits often need to be reinvested for:
   • Growth initiatives
   • Emergency funds
   • Equipment upgrades
   • Future obligations
3. Potential Double-Tithing:
   • Double-tithing could occur if you tithe both on business revenue and the personal income you receive from it (which is not necessarily a bad thing)

Practical Guidelines for Business Owners

Rather than prescribing rigid rules, here are four practical guidelines for approaching business tithing:

1. Maintain Personal Tithing
   • Continue tithing on personal income received from the business
   • This fulfills the biblical principle of firstfruits giving
2. Use Business as a Giving Channel
   • Consider business charitable giving as an additional kingdom impact
   • Look for opportunities to be generous through your business platform
3. Seek God’s Direction
   • Pray about whether to increase personal or business giving
   • Listen for specific guidance about giving opportunities
4. Look for Ministry Opportunities
   • Consider how your business can uniquely support kingdom work
   • Be open to non-financial ways your business can contribute

The Heart of Business Tithing

Jesus consistently emphasized the heart behind our giving over rigid rules.

The New Testament expands our understanding of generosity beyond the tithe to encompass all our resources – both personal and business.

When we view our businesses as platforms for kingdom impact, the question shifts from “How much must I give?” to “How can this business best honor God and serve others?”

If you’re thoughtfully considering these questions, it shows a desire to be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to you.

I believe that’s exactly the kind of heart posture God is looking for.

Moving Forward

As you consider how to handle business tithing let me recommend:

• Continue tithing on personal income
• Maintain business charitable giving as God leads
• Stay open to increasing either personal or business giving
• Look for unique ways your business can support ministry

Remember, the goal isn’t to create burdensome rules but to develop a generous heart that seeks to honor God with all our resources.

I’d encourage you to keep pressing into God’s guidance for your specific situation. He will faithfully lead you as you seek to steward your business for His glory.

Your friend and coach,