The next generation is upending the collection basket.
When you hear “tithing,” what emotion starts to creep up? Maybe a swell of pride as you envision what your giving has done for your church community. Maybe a small sense of guilt as you reflect on your (absence of) recent giving. Or maybe, especially if you are Gen Z, you aren’t even sure what tithing is and how to approach it. As churches see more and more young people filling the pews, what do we know about the charitable giving perspective of the next generation?
What exactly is tithing?
The word “tithe” means “a tenth” and is traditionally the practice of giving one tenth of your earnings to the church. There are several places in both the Old and New Testament where tithing is referenced (Leviticus 27, Deuteronomy 14, Mark 12, Luke 21).
What do Christians believe today about tithing?
According to a 2023 study from Lifeway Research among U.S. protestant churchgoers, 77 percent believed that tithing is a biblical command that still applies today. The youngest population (ages 18–34) are the least likely to agree, with only 66 percent saying that tithing is a Christian belief that applies today.
Catholics believe that giving is a requirement but do not mandate a 10 percent tithe for every Catholic. The Catechism states the obligation to "provide for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability" (CCC 2043). This means that Catholics are morally obligated to give, but the specific amount is left to the conscience of each person.
So, do people actually still tithe?
It’s clear that giving to religious organizations is important to American donors. Of the $617 billion in charitable gifts made in 2025, religious organizations received the largest portion, at 23 percent with $151 billion. People understand that churches are a pillar of their communities and are well suited to reach those in need. Many churches not only attend to the needs of their congregations but have programs that serve other areas of interest for donors: food pantries, clothing drives, pregnancy centers, homeless shelters, and more. But just because parishioners understand the importance of giving to their churches doesn’t mean they convert that to actual giving. According to Lifeway, even though 77 percent of Protestants believe that tithing is a command, only 51 percent actually give 10 percent or more to their church. Results show a correlation in believing in tithing and more frequent worship service attendance, meaning that the more often you attend services, the more likely you are to give regularly.
And while Catholics suggest the 10 percent tithe is a good starting point—often recommending 5 percent to their parish and 5 percent to other Catholic charities—EWTN cites a study from Catholic Leadership Institute reporting that only about 1–2 percent of all U.S. Catholics—regardless of their level of participation in church activities—practice a 10 percent tithe.
What’s holding people back? If so many Christians believe in tithing, why are so few dropping donations in collection baskets? Apart from economic factors that might impede someone’s ability to make a gift, some believe that there’s a lack of education or encouragement to tithe rather than an intentional choice.
Lifeway research executive director Scott McConnell says, “Giving 10 percent of your earnings to God is still a widespread standard among churchgoers. 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.”
Two areas to look for teachings on tithing are parents and pastors; young people need direction and reinforcement of what parents teach and what is being preached at church. So, what are parents and pastors today teaching about tithing? The short answer: not much. In a study by Fidelity, 56 percent of Americans say their parents never discussed money with them. It’s easy to see why a young person doesn’t give to their church—even if they believe it’s a good practice—when the education and example simply aren’t there. Of the many new tasks Gen Z must tackle as they start careers and move away, learning how to manage income and make decisions about money is among the most difficult. If the practice of tithing hasn’t been engrained in them, it can be easily forgotten or ignored. Similarly, we often hear less of “tithing” and more of “giving,” especially time, talent, and treasure. In a season of life when money feels tight, if your pastor is preaching about time, talent, and treasure, Gen Z might look for ways to lean in to the former two.
In fact, the data supports that this is the case. Gen Z is the most generous with their time and volunteering: while only 51 percent of Gen Z report charitable giving, compared to 64 percent of boomers and 71% of elders, Gen Z and millennials are the generations most likely to report having volunteered their time to an organization in the past three months. 54 percent of Gen Z say they have volunteered their time compared to boomers at 21 percent and elders at 38 percent.
What does Gen Z have to say about tithing? How does Gen Z choose to give?
It’s unclear if Gen Z is committed to traditional tithing, but there is reason to believe in Gen Z being extremely generous. Social media has amplified societal issues, and platforms like Venmo, Cashapp, and online fundraisers make it easier to give quickly. This has caused an increase in “quick giving,” where you may see a post or fundraiser and decide to support immediately. “The philanthropic trends of millennials and Gen Z are not tracking the same. There’s a lot more GoFundMe-type giving, or giving to my friend who’s in need, versus giving to an institution like a parish or a diocese,” says Dan Cellucci, president of the Catholic Leadership Institute.
And while it’s not surprising that Gen Z gives in smaller amounts due to their stage of life and income levels, those who do give are making more frequent donations: the Abacus Cooperative shows that in 2022, Gen Z adults made approximately 5.3 donations per donor compared to millennials at 4.8 and Gen X at 4.7 donations. Gen Z is used to the convenience of online spending, and this could be the reason they make more frequent gifts.
As Gen Z continues to grow in their careers, experience, and income, time will tell how the organizations they care about receive their support. It’s likely that as Gen Z ages they will follow similar giving patterns to previous generations and increase their support to both their churches and charities as their household income increases and family expenses decrease. But changing giving landscapes and the convenience of online giving could introduce a new era of donation decision-making, more focused on convenience and accessibility. Until then, talk to a young person about giving. Share your experiences and how giving has impacted your life. Your advice could be the motivation they need to step up for their church and communities today.
