Should a Business Tithe? What Giving 10% of Profits Looks Like

Many Christians tithe from their own wages. Fewer have thought about what tithing looks like when you own the business.

We give 10% of profits to Compassion UK, so we have thought about it a lot. Here is a plain, practical guide for any business owner thinking it through.

Should a Business Tithe? The Short Answer

There is no single rule in the Bible that says a business must tithe. But many Christian owners choose to, and there are good reasons for it.

A tithe means a tenth. In the Old Testament, most people earned their living from farming, so their giving came from what their work produced. That was, in effect, business income.

Proverbs 3:9 puts it simply: "Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." For a business owner today, the crops are your profits.

So the honest answer is this. A business does not have to tithe, but it can be a joyful, practical way to put your faith into your work. The heart matters more than the number. Paul says each person should give "not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Why Christian Owners Choose to Tithe Through the Business

People come to business giving for different reasons. Here are four common ones.

1. It treats the business as stewardship. Many owners see the business as something entrusted to them, not owned outright. Giving from it is a way of saying so.
2. It builds giving into the system. When the tithe is part of the plan, it happens in good months and lean ones, not just when you remember.
3. It shapes decisions. Knowing a tenth of profit goes to others changes how you price, spend and grow.
4. It invites others in. Customers, staff and suppliers become part of the giving, simply by doing business with you.

For Jon, our founder, one verse guides everything we do: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).

Gross or Net? How to Decide What You Tithe On

This is the question everyone asks. There is no one right answer, so it helps to know the options.

Option 1: tithe on revenue

You give 10% of everything that comes in. It is simple and generous. But for most small businesses it is not realistic. Revenue has to pay for stock, wages and bills first, and margins are often thinner than 10%.

Option 2: tithe on profit

You give 10% of what is left after costs. This is what many Christian business owners choose, and it is what we do. It protects the people you owe, like staff and suppliers, while still giving a real tenth of the increase.

Option 3: a fixed amount or percentage of sales

Some businesses give a set amount per product, or a small percentage of every sale. It is easy for customers to understand and easy to track.

Many writers on business tithing make the same point. You should not give away money that belongs to your creditors or employees. Pay what you owe, then give from what is truly yours to give.

Whichever you choose, write it down. A clear, simple policy stops you second-guessing it every month.

Business Tithe vs Personal Tithe: Do You Need Both?

This catches many owners out. Your business and your household are two different things.

If you pay yourself a salary or take drawings, that is your personal income. Many Christians tithe on that through their church, just as any employee would.

The business tithe is separate. It comes from profit the business keeps, before you take it out.

Some owners do both. Some focus on one. There is freedom here, so pray it through and talk it over with your family or church leaders.

One caution. Do not let the business tithe quietly replace giving to your local church. Many owners keep their church giving personal and use the business tithe for wider mission.

5 Steps to Set Up Giving in a Small Business

1. Decide your base. Revenue, profit or a fixed amount per sale. Choose what is honest and sustainable for your margins.
2. Pick a partner you trust. Look for a charity whose work you understand and can explain to others. Check it is registered with the Charity Commission.
3. Set a rhythm. Monthly, quarterly or yearly. Many profit-based givers settle up once the year end accounts are done.
4. Keep it visible. Put the giving in your accounts as its own line. It keeps you accountable and makes reporting simple.
5. Review it every year. As the business grows, ask whether you can give more, not just the same.

Be open about it, but humble. Tell customers what you give and where it goes. Do not use it to look good. Our guide on how to tell which brands really give back shows what honest giving claims look like.

UK Tax Basics: What to Ask Your Accountant

We are coffee roasters, not tax advisers, so please check your own situation with an accountant. But these are the basics worth knowing.

• Limited companies can usually deduct cash donations to registered charities from profits before Corporation Tax. There are limits on any benefit the company gets back in return.
• Sole traders and partners usually give personally, and can use Gift Aid so the charity claims extra from HMRC.
• Keep records of every donation, including the date, amount and the charity's details.

GOV.UK has a clear overview of tax relief when you donate to a charity, including the separate rules for limited companies.

The tax side should never be the reason to give. But it does mean your gift can go further than you think.

How We Give 10% of Profits at Creation Coffee

Jon founded Creation Coffee as a Christian business where profit has a purpose. Giving a tenth follows the same pattern as believers who tithe from their wages.

We give 10% of our profits to Compassion UK, a Christian child development charity. Compassion works through local churches in 29 countries to help children out of poverty.

The giving covers every part of the business. That includes single bags, Creation Coffee Club subscriptions and the coffee we supply to churches.

Our customers pay the normal price. The donation comes from our side, so there is nothing extra to tick or pay. You can read the full detail in how your coffee supports Compassion UK.

Several of the countries we buy coffee from, such as Colombia, Ethiopia and Brazil, are also places where Compassion works. Coffees like our Brazil Eagle Carmelo, sourced from women farmers, sit alongside that commitment.

It also shapes how we buy. We look for traceable coffee from farms and cooperatives that treat people fairly. You can see how on our ethical coffee UK sourcing page.

4 Mistakes to Avoid When a Business Tithes

1. Giving money you owe. Paying staff and suppliers late so you can give is not generosity. Settle debts first.
2. Making it a marketing line. If you mention it, be specific and truthful. Vague claims damage trust.
3. Setting it and forgetting it. Revisit your giving each year as profits and needs change.
4. Going it alone. Talk to your accountant, your church and other Christian owners. You will learn a lot.

For more on bringing faith into everyday work, our guide to faith in the workplace is a good next read.

Common Questions About Business Tithing

• Is a business required to tithe?

  No. The Bible gives no rule that a business must tithe. Many Christian owners choose to, as a way of honouring God with what their work produces.

• Should a business tithe on gross or net income?

  Most small businesses tithe on profit, after costs and wages are paid. Tithing on revenue is generous but rarely realistic when margins are thin.

• If my business tithes, do I still tithe personally?

  Many owners do both. The business tithe comes from business profit, while personal giving comes from the salary or drawings you take home.

• Can a UK company get tax relief on charity donations?

  Limited companies can usually deduct cash donations to registered charities from profits before Corporation Tax. Check the details with your accountant.

• Where should a business give its tithe?

  Choose a church or registered charity whose work you understand and trust. Many owners keep church giving personal and use the business tithe for wider mission.

• How much does Creation Coffee give?

  We give 10% of our profits to Compassion UK, a Christian child development charity. It covers single bags, subscriptions and the coffee we supply to churches.