What happens if you don't give 10 percent?
Under Paul’s teaching, believers are under no mandate to give a set amount, so failing to give 10 percent does not bring God’s judgment. The 10 percent is only a guideline. A believer may lose some reward in glory, but giving remains a freewill matter based on how God has prospered them.
Les explains that the ten percent figure is a guideline for a giver, not a hard rule. On Resurrection Day believers are to lay by in store as God has prospered them, not as a tithe. Because God has left us free will and operates by grace, He does not “put the thumb on our head” demanding ten percent. If a believer does not give ten percent, Les says God is not going to “zap” you; you may lose some reward in glory, but there is no mandate under Paul’s teaching to give a set amount. Giving is up to the individual believer, according to how God has prospered him, and God respects that free will. Paul also wanted the Corinthians to set aside their gift before he arrived so they would not give merely under his influence or to be seen by him.
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.