“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10, NKJV).
Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Belief 21 says, “We acknowledge God’s ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow human beings, and by returning tithe and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church.”
To help understand Adventist church members’ attitude towards giving their time and money to help others, the Global Church Member Survey asked whether they give a significant amount of time to helping other people.
Amount of Time Helping Other People
In 2018, 5.9% said never, 12.5% said rarely, 25.2% said sometimes, 21.6% said sometimes-often, and 35.8% said often.
In 2023, 4.8% said they never spent significant amounts of time helping other people, 11% said rarely, 22.4% said occasionally, 24.1% said frequently, and 37.7% said often.
The total of those who rarely or never spent time helping others in 2023, at 15.8%, is down nearly three percentage points from 18.4% in 2018. The percentage of those who spent occasionally to often spent a significant amount of time helping others is up in 2023, at 84.2%, from 81.6% in 2018.
Percentage of Members Who Gave Significant Amounts of Money to Help Others
In 2018, 12% said never, 17.9% said rarely, 25.3% said sometimes, 17.2% said sometimes-often, and 27.5% said often.
In 2023, 11.3% answered that they rarely gave significant amounts of money to help others, 18.3% said rarely, 24.2% said occasionally, 19.3% said frequently, and 26.9% said often.
The total, in 2023, of those who never or rarely gave is down slightly, at 18.3%, compared to 19.9% in 2018. The total of those who gave occasionally to often is 82.7%, up slightly from 80.1% in 2018.
In 2023, we probed deeper for more information on members’ attitude towards tithe. The Global Church Member Survey asked two further questions.
Method for Returning Tithe
When asked about how members returned tithe, 74.2% answered that they specify “Tithe” when giving, 7.7% just put the money in the offering without indicating it as tithe, 10.8% distribute their ten percent elsewhere, 0.4% (in the Chinese Union Mission only) indicated they return tithe in another way, and 6.9% of members do not return tithe at all.
Percentage of Members Who Believe Tithing is Required
When asked whether they believe that tithing is still required of all people by God, 2% strongly disagreed, 2.5% disagreed, 5.6% were not sure, 29.5% agreed, and 60.4% strongly agreed.
The GCMS figures show that nearly 90% of members believe that God requires His people to return their tithe, while just under 10% disagree or are not sure.
When we are faithful and loyal to Him, we realize our time, possessions, and riches are blessings from God. Let’s use them wisely, give back, and share, to express our love to God and others.
You can access the full report at these links for 2018 and 2023.
Created in collaboration with the Institute of Church Ministry.
Published by ASTR on 7/15/2025.