How can I tithe when I can barely pay my bills?
This question is real. And today, I want to talk to the one who doesn’t have an income. I want to talk to the one who doesn’t make enough money to pay their bills.
When You Can’t Afford To Tithe
I often counsel people from all ages and circumstances when it comes to believing God for financial provision.
Not because I’m in ministry. But because, of my former financial background and experience of working with families creating budgets.
Although, I worked in the financial industry for many years, it wasn’t until I studied God’s Word about Kingdom finances, when I realized God’s operates on different principles.
When I sit down with people today; their financial circumstances are no different than what I saw with families years ago.
However, my counsel is completely different.
Many people today are barely getting by. Some don’t make enough to pay their bills. They’re living check to check; robbing Peter to pay Paul, only to continue the vicious cycle next month.
Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes people put themselves in their own financial ruin. They quit jobs before having a new one.
They don’t know the meaning of delayed gratification by sacrificing what they need, just to get what they want; spending money they don’t have.
On the other hand, there are some who have jobs, then their spouse gets laid off, causing the family to survive on one income.
Some might be in the middle of a divorce, with increased expenses or possibly facing medical expenses that exceed the family’s budget. And the list just goes on, and on.
So what do you do when your bills are more than what you make, and you seriously can’t afford to tithe without a bill not getting paid?
It’s simple. Give what you have.
Tithe What You Have
I’m sure I probably hit a sore spot with some pastors. But I believe, God looks at our hearts.
Please don’t misunderstand my personal belief on this subject. Andre and I fully believe in tithing, and the biblical principles for bringing a 10th of your income to the storehouse which is your church.
However, we also believe that good stewardship requires knowledge of kingdom principles, and having the faith to take the necessary steps to practice them.
Many years ago we wrote a financial confession to help stir our faith when it came to trusting God regarding our finances. (Don’t worry, we have that available for you to download from our community library or by filling out the form below.)
What we have found, was that as we confessed God’s Word, it began to strengthen our faith. As a result, it motivated us to give what belongs to God, no matter what our budget looked like!
Growing In Faith To Tithe
In order to have faith to tithe, one must first learn what God says about giving and receiving. And only when one understands this, can one give without fear. However, keep in mind, this process takes time.
If you’re in a bad financial situation now, just learning these principles won’t get you out of your situation overnight. It will take time, and it will require you to put your faith in action.
Which means, you must practice your faith by trusting God right where you are regarding your finances.
Financial Assessment
You must acknowledge where you are with your current financial situation, and determine what you can give God right now.
This is accomplished not only by creating a budget, but also looking at your spending habits.
Taking an honest assessment of your budget, by identifying your legitimate needs and what’s on your budget that are simply wants.
The hardest part is going to be making the appropriate adjustments. When things aren’t adding up, it’s time to start subtracting.
If you can’t afford to tithe, but somehow have the money to purchase your wants, you can’t expect God to supernaturally provide when you’re spending what belongs to Him.
Sorry for the tough love. But if you want God to put a super on your natural, you’re going to have to start spending your money differently.
Okay enough of that…
After looking over your budget, if you still don’t have enough, you have no choice but to pay what you can and trust God for the rest.
Your Budget Should Reflect Your Tithe
Your budget should include your tithes. But if you don’t understand the principles of tithing, or if you haven’t grown in your faith in this area, then most likely your budget doesn’t, until today.
Today, I want to encourage you to start with what you have. And add what you can commit to God on your budget.
Let’s say, after you pay all your bills, you have $50 left over from each paycheck. Instead of thinking, well since I can’t afford to tithe, I’m not going to give anything.
Instead, purpose to give God something from each paycheck out of that $50.
We’ve all heard the story about the widow’s mite in Mark 12, right?
“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” ~ Mark 12:41-44 NLT
You see; she gave all she had to live on. She gave from what she had. It might be easier for some to give God 10% when there’s enough money coming in.
Although, for some who are barely getting by, that 10% seems unfathomable.
However, if God is stirring something inside of you right now, and you have the faith of a mustard seed, give $5, $10 or $20 or whatever you can.
The key to your success of giving 10% is to be consistent, with increasing your giving, as you’re able, until you reach 10%.
The Power Of A Dime
As your faith grows, so will your trust. And as you trust God where your finances are concerned, you will slowly eliminate the fear of giving even when you seemingly don’t have enough.
You might be thinking to yourself, listen lady; I don’t have anything. I seriously can’t give. I’m in the negative every month.
Then I challenge you to give God a dime. Yes, you heard me, give God $0.10 cents.
Have you heard the expression, “anything can change on a dime?” Do you know where that came from?
That phrase has been around since the 1800’s. The expression “turn on a dime” means “having a tight turning radius.”
The dime as we know it, is only 17.91 mm in diameter. This expression illustrates just how small the turning radius is.
Anything that can “turn on a dime” or anything that can make a slight tight turn; can make a radical change in any direction very quickly.
What’s even more interesting about this analogy is, that small dime is all God requires of us on every dollar.
That means by simply giving God a dime on every dollar you have, it can make a radical change in your life.
Bring Your Tithe
Malachi 3:10 tells us to bring all our tithes (1/10th) to the storehouse (meaning your church). Many of us give our work 1/3 of our time every day, but we struggle with giving God 1/10th of what belongs to Him.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
~ Malachi 3:10 (NLT)
If you’re not happy with your present financial circumstance, consider giving God the very least He asks of you; a dime on every dollar.
You just might be surprised how much your situation can change “on a dime.”
In The End
We’ve all been guilty of saying. “I will give God more when I have more.” However, be not deceived, God is not mocked. God knows our hearts, and the truth is we wouldn’t give Him more.
We would only do what we are doing right now, which is living on every dime we make.
So, what’s it going to hurt to try? You’ve been robbing Peter to pay Paul and where has that gotten you?
If you can barely pay your bills, I encourage you to give God a dime. And as your faith grows, increase it as much as you can, until you are able to give God 10%.
After all, anything can change on a dime!
PS…Don’t forget to download The Financial Confession today from our community Library or by filling out the form below!
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~ Timberley Gray
Great article pastors!
Thank You Brother Ron!
Thank you very much for this,it was very true and helpful.
This is exactly what I am working on doing right now, changing my views of money from wordly to godly! It is so hard to change your way of thinking that it’s not MY money, we may work and earn it but it all belongs to Him! I am working my way up to 10% as you said, I would actually love someday to give even more than that. Coming from someone who had more and didn’t really give any more, I learned that you really have to keep up with money and do your part to make sure you’re spending it in the right places. I look at money now like a partnership – God gives it and I do the right thing with it, He’s not going to do it for me! Thank you for writing this, it gave me such encouragement today!
Amen Emily! I am so happy to hear that this post encouraged you today. What you said is exactly right, when we realize all that we have belongs to Him it becomes easier to be good stewards of what He has given us. May God continue to bless and lead you as you seek Him and change your way of handling His money. ~ Blessings
Well what happens when you stand on Mal 3:10, tithe and sow faithfully and still struggling? Fasting and praying over and over, repenting, how does that work?
Kendra, we can feel your pain through your words. Our encouragement to you is when you have done all to do to stand, keep standing (Ephesians 6:13). We may not always know God’s ways or His thinking, but we do know that He is always right on time. We too have been where you are, where it seems like we are doing all the right things, and things are still not happening the way we think they should or fast enough. But it’s in those moments that we keep standing. May God continue to lead and guide you and may He supernaturally meet your needs. Thank you for sharing your heart. ~ Blessings
Kendra,
Use what God has given you. We all have a talent. A skillset that God has given us. Use that skillset and put that together with faith and work. Scripture also reminds us that faith without work is dead. I pray you are doing well this time of year. The funny thing is, I am struggling to tithe, but I just encouraged myself. God sure does work in mysterious ways!
Thank u for the word may God contentiou to bless the both of you
God Bless You Beverly! ~ Blessings
I’m tithing I have exhausted all means I’m putting my finances in God’s hands, he knows I’m over my head.
Thank you so much for your inspiring words.. I’ve always tithe, matter of fact i enjoy it. Ever since my divorce and my ex stopped paying support agter 20yrs of marriage, its been really hard for me. So I’m going to give God what I can cheerfully and watch him work so I can give above!!! Bless you
Dorine, you are on the right track sweet sister. When we do our part with a pure heart desiring to honor God, He will put a super on our natural. May God bless you on this financial journey. ~ Blessings
Thank you for the commentary on tithing.. I have been at a huge crossroads, feeling so guilty for not being able to give 10% of our income right now. I give what I can, sometimes just a couple of dollars and it is still a sacrifice, but I know God honors that. I lost my job back in April and have been dilligently trying to find employment. My unemployment runs out in October.. I know God has the right job for me, please keep me and my family in prayer, thank you so much! God bless you!
Lisa we stand in agreement with you right now..Heavenly Father we come before you and ask that you would guide Lisa and her family in regards to their finances. Give them wisdom and divine revelation as to how you would have them manage the resources you have placed in their hands. We ask for supernatural favor, and unexpected blessings to come upon them so that can meet the needs of their home and be blessing to others. In Jesus Name. Amen.
It’s been rough pastors seem to be wondering how can people live off 50 dollars a week but if we are looking at an overall budget it becomes difficult to tithe. It just seems impossible sometimes. I’ve had jobs before and I did mess up on on things. But I give my first check when i get a new job and never on impulse only on gratitude. Yet I get put in a bad position. I’m on the verge of being removed as a leader. But as you say I’ve to trust on God. It becomes difficult when you need to pay bills, but it feels like the more I tithe the less of God I see. It makes me loose faith in God sometimes when it comes to my fiances. I’m keep hoping for better things. I trust him in the good and in the bad it juat becomes hard to trust the Lord with my fainces.
Julia I can hear your pain through your words and thank you for being transparent. I know there are times when it seems like we don’t see God but it is those moments we find Him in ways we had not before. God knows your heart when it comes to giving, and I would encourage you to possibly speak with a leader in your church to see if they can sit down with you and hear your heart in regards to your finances and giving. The scripture that came to mind while reading your comment was Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT) when Paul says: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
There are season when we are in overflow and then there are seasons when we’re hanging on for our daily bread and in either situation through Christ we can do all things. If I could encourage you with just one thing it would be not grow weary in well doing, for you will reap a harvest if you faint not. ~ Blessings
Thank you for this article. I live in the Virgin Islands .One year this month we went through 2 category 5 hurricanes one week apart.it deviated our islands. My roof went and I had to take SBA loan $25,000. Use both cried cards. I am now in $49,000 debt. I am on social security I can only tithes 5%. Unexpected bills keep piling up.Thank you for such words if encouragement .I was feeling so quity
Evelyn thank you for sharing your heart with such transparency. We can’t even imagine what it must be like to live in those conditions, and with the financial pressure you are under. God knows you heart, and as you honor Him with whatever you have, HE will multiply your resources. We have prayed over you and asked God to give you wisdom for the days, months and years ahead.
I thank you for the Word. I am in over my head with debt but just my own income and recently was let go from job. I now collect unemployment, trying to find part time job and social security starts end of month. I had not been tithing for awhile due to bills but just recently started my tithing again on my checks, small checks but promised myself I would start tithing and trusting God to help start paying down all this debt. My Pastor says I could not give to their building fund unless I was a faithful tither and I felt that was wrong. I am doing best I can but hard on a small income.
We are so sorry to hear that you lost your job Paula. Your decision to give God what you have even if it is small, God will honor. As you continue to trust Him and make more, continue to give Him more. Since we don’t know the particulars about the context your Pastor spoke of, we can only imagine that He wanted to encourage you to just focus on tithing, as it’s hard to give over and above if you aren’t able to tithe. Does that make sense? Our tithe is a 10th of what we receive, offerings are over and above our tithe. So let’s say your unemployment checks are $300 a week, and you tithe $30 a week and want to give an offering towards the building fund of $5. That would mean your total giving for the week is $35 ($30 tithe and $5 offering). If you are only giving $20 instead of $30, then what your Pastor is saying, is focus on tithing and then start over and above giving. Hope that makes sense. Again we don’t know the context of how He said it, but in regards to giving over and above that is usually what that means. If you have any further questions feel free to email us at: info@livingourpriorities.com
I tithed for many years – even after I lost my job and couldn’t pay my mortgage. I was even giving above and beyond… Long story short, after doing all I could, my home was eventually repossessed. It was probably the most traumatic period of my life. Even after that I continued to tithe – to the point where my bank account was overdrawn every month. There comes a point when you realise that there is the letter and the spirit of the law – and common sense.
Joyce you are right, we have to balance the spirit of the law with practical application. Thank you for stopping by to read! ~ Blessings
This reminded me a lot of some of the same principles Dave Ramsey teaches. We can’t live above our means and saving and waiting for things we want is imperative!
Love this post!
Amen Julie.
My pastor often tells us that we should tithe out of a revelation of God’s love and grace for us, not out of an obligation. God loves a cheerful giver!
Sesame, you are right God does love a cheerful giver. Even when we give sacrificially, no matter how small it seems to us, when we given with the right heart, our Lord delights Himself in our giving. ~ Blessings
Thank you so much for sharing! So spot on! My husband and I made some VERY poor choices when we first got married. We were running our credit cards like crazy, not eating at home and spending way beyond our means. It was when my husband went purchase something on his card to get something simple that was a need at the time that it declined our card. We went to check our account to only see we had $9 in the account. We both were so embarrassed at how we neglected not only our finances but also following God’s way of managing money. It was at this time my husband and I got serious and started to dig in God’s word and also follow Dave Ramsey’s baby step plan. We had to sacrifice many things but recently we just celebrated our 5th anniversary and we only have one debt left which is our home. We are able to faithfully pay our tithes now! I wish I could say it was the Dave Ramsey’s plan all together that corrected us, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t until we started to dive into God’s word that we both were convicted. We were not living as servants to use our money to help others but to only use the money for our wants and worldly pleasures. We now use our story as a testimony and was able to hold a financial course at our church, our prayer is that this will get people more into God’s word because there is no other way! It is our Manual, our GPS, our guide. Thank you once again for sharing your article with us and the wonderful sources provided.
WOW Stephanie what a wonderful testimony! Our church will be hosting The Financial Peace University in the New Year for that very reason!It is important for the body of Christ to understand good stewardship over what God has given us. Thank you for sharing your testimony with us. ~ Blessings
Excellent post! Thank you for addressing this question that I know many people have!!
Thank you Diana for stopping by to read. This is a subject that I am very passionate about so I pray it helps those who may struggle in this area. ~ Blessings
Thank you so much for sharing as I think this is something a lot of us struggle with. One thing that was new to me was, when in financial difficulty, you can tithe anything that you feel is right until you have more income coming in again.
I was an engineer for many years and was tithing and ended up changing my career path. It’s unbelievable what God has done for me. I’ve been out of work for 2 years and I’m now studying to become a pilot. Surpringly, my bills and course have been taken cared of and I believe this is because I tithed when I was employed. It’s so amazing!!
Even though I live on a shoe string at the moment, I make sure I tithe what I can every week because HE is still looking after me, and will still do so.
Yes He is Dodzi! Thank you for sharing. I do believe that many of us have seed in the ground from years of faithful obedience. May God bless you on your new journey. ~ Blessings
When Saturday night comes around gather up your pocket change. Put it in a plastic bag and put that in the plate. It may not be 10% but it’s better than not giving at all.
Like you said Cynthia it’s better than not giving at all. You gotta start somewhere. Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you for this article. I was not a tither while I worked and didn’t have a church as I moved and worked many Sundays. But I have since lost my job. I have been out of work for 4 months, I have been living on my savings, almost no money left. I haven’t found full time work, no matter how hard I have tried.
I do not have a church here. It’s been years since I moved away from a church I loved, BUT, as active as I was there I did not tithe as I thought I needed every penny to live on, I just gave $2o.00 every so often. But God actually blesssed me many times. Now I have a very small SS check and only 14hrs or so of work, partime, weekly, I can’t survive on that.
I began to feel sooo very badly about not tithing or at least giving in the past. I was nudged by God & began to really revisit and study tithing. It is confusinf because God was good to me many times with financial increase even when I gave lesser amounts than 10%…recently I was reconnected with my favorite church as they have recorded services. I tithed 10% to that church last month. It was a joyous feeling. At that time I didn’t think I would have any money for the upcoming Jan. rent but suprnaturally I do! Any extra for food is very limited, however. Tithing this month will put me in the negative for upcoming Feb. 2019 rent. As it is, I can barely afford food let alone any possible unforseen circumstances. I see that I won’t be able to pay rent or have money for some food unless things supernaturally change, help me Lord! I am also waiting for an appeal decision, for a unemployment case that I am praying will be in my favor, only God knows the answer. So, what do I do?? Give some but not the 10% or just trust God with the full 10%? I want to please God and receive His Covenant Provisions.. . Thank you
Valerie, God bless you sweetie for being so transparent with your circumstances. The only answer I can give you is to seek God and follow His leading, because at the end of the day you have to be at peace with your decisions. God will give you a peace about what to do, as He promises to give us wisdom when we seek Him. In fact, let me pray with you….
Father God we come to you in the name of Jesus and ask that you would grant unto Valerie wisdom concerning her finances. Give her this day Lord her daily bread, so that she may have food to eat and a roof over her head. She desires Lord to honor you with her finances, so I ask you Father to show her, confirm your Word and your promises to her. We ask Lord for supernatural provision, favor and guidance and she yields her heart, her mind and all that you have blessed her with to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
I live on a small fixed income. It is just enough money for bills and food, will nothing left to spare. I want to tithe, but if I do, I will not be able to buy food. Even giving will cut into my food allowance for the month. I really want to tithe, but I am fearful that I will end up hungry and begging for food.
Shelia God knows your heart, take care of your family. Give as you can, and continue to draw near to God. As you draw near to Him, you will begin to grow in your faith. And as your finances increase, give more. You will find that as you surrender to God and give from your heart not out of obligation, God will continue to provide what you need!
An example from redeeming a tithe I found said thus, “How much more if we skipped out on our tithe for several months? How do we make it up? We add one fifth to it. Let’s say that our tithe was $300 and that we had skipped out three months. This means that we were behind on our tithes by $900 and, in order to catch up, not only should we catch up on our tithe, but, according to the scripture, we should add one fifth. One fifth would be $45, so to catch up we would then pay $945.”
What if I get paid every week? Should my tithe be by the months as the example gave, or add by the week? I’m not sure how I should catch up tithing because I don’t want to make God mad and be under a curse.
Hi Brie! Bless your heart sweetie for desiring to know God’s truth in how you should handle your tithes. In fact, that is the very heart of our tithes. God looks at our heart, we don’t give because it’s a law, nor are we under a curse. We give what belongs to Him because we love Him. Knowing your heart is what’s most important to God, so give what you can and as He increases you give more. It really is that simple, I think we are under the impression we have to do it perfect to please God we miss the blessings and spiritual growth that comes from stepping out in faith right where we are seeking God will our whole heart. Hope that helps. ~ Blessings
I’ve been paying tithes for ten years.Unfortunately I’m going to have to lower my amount of tithes I give.I work at a job I hate and it’s destroying my health.My wife and I don’t have parents or family to help us out so we are totally dependant on ourselves.I have two little kids I have to support.I often hear people talking about blessings I struggle to understand if it is a blessing or just an outcome of their circumstances.I hate to sound negative it’s just something I’m struggling with.
Hey Richard, I get what you’re saying and sometimes it’s difficult to see the blessings in the struggles. But that is how we know God is real. Even in the midst of hardship the blessing is, you have a job. You may not have family to depend on but you and your wife, are showing your children what family looks like. The circumstances are real, they are the facts. But the truth is when we see the blessings in everything it makes us aware of our God who is in all the details. We’re not promised as believers in Christ that we won’t have struggles. Rather, we are told to count it all joy in our troubles because it works out our faith. Hope this encourages you some.
We haven’t been tithing, but I’ve been feeling God urging me to do so. It’s so hard when you can barely make ends meet, but I know that when we aren’t tithing, we are not completely trusting Him.
As I sat down to pay bills this morning and was feeling that nudge from God, I immediately came to this post so that I could be reminded of trusting Him with everything.
Thank you for this encouragement and guidance.
Sweet Tammy, God knows your heart and meets you right where you are. Even in the midst of what seems like lack when we honor Him He with the very little we have He makes sure we have all that we need. Be encouraged my friend. ~ Blessings
Thanks for sharing. This is a much needed teaching in the Body Of Christ.
I’ve been faithfully tithing for the past 4 years and they have turned out to be the most financially devistating of my life, to the tune of being hundreds of thousands of dollars further in debt. I started off being very joyful in tithing but now it’s impossible as I can’t even cover the bills and it’s has destroyed any and all faith in God. At what point do you say enough is enough? God has not ‘been there’ through our struggles which have been non-stop for 26 years. The only thing keeping me from stopping is fear. If God is this horrendously horrible to me when I’m putting my faith in Him, how much worse will it get? Especially when you already know God will never make it better
Hello Ann, I am so sorry to hear about your financial struggle. I can understand your frustration. I also see God’s hand upon you, because if you have been struggling for 26 years, the blessing is you are still here. And if you wake up every morning there’s a purpose for your life!
In regards to giving, God knows your heart. You should not be going into debt to tithe. Tithes should come from what you earn then live within the means of what you have. If your household budget isn’t balancing – meaning your household expenses exceed your income, then the answer is to work on your budget. Start identifying what can be cut back or cut out to make your household budget work within your income.
Then increase your giving as you can. God knows your heart. Our heart is reflected when don’t have enough – how we honor Him with what we have now shows Him how we will honor Him when we have more than enough. And we honor God not only through giving but we honor Him in how we manages the resources He has given us.
Seek God and ask Him to show you how to make adjustments with your finances, who you can seek counsel from to help you with a budget, favor with creditors, etc.
I pray that God continues to show you His unfailing love and goodness in every area of your life. ~ Blessings Timberley
Hi Timberly,
I was reading about tithing and I don’t have any issue tithing or giving but in 2016 my mom passed away and I quit my job to care for my dad. Then 7 months later my husband passed away. So there is no income but my dads .
I have to take care of his finances and I use his money to pay my bills.
My question is since I am a steward of my dads finances can I tithe off his income?
My mom always took care of the finances and looking at their giving they didn’t tithe 10%. I was writing myself checks and tithing off what I was getting but stopped now I just pay my bills with my dads money and give here and there. My dad gets his social security check and has some assets that I use to pay his bills and a sitter so I’m kind of stumped on what to do .
My husband and I always tithed once we understood it and I’m having a hard time since I don’t have an income but I am a full time caregiver for my dad who is a type 1 diabetic. My thinking is this is my job till he moves to Heaven.
I do want to try to work from home but haven’t gotten that far yet.
Thanks so much for any advice you can give
Blessings!!
Pam
Hi Pam – first let me say I am so sorry to hear about your husband I cannot even imagine how you have gotten through such heartache. And your heart to honor your dad is reflected in your selfless decision to quit your job to take care of him. You are right sister, taking care of your dad is your job so giving from what you receive or have, does honor God. God isn’t concerned about what you give, He is concerned about your heart towards giving. For many who don’t have a job, they give of their time, using their gifts for the Kingdom and of their substance. Continue to seek the Lord, He will direct you, as we are promised in scripture. God does not bring condemnation but conviction so don’t let the enemy try to make you feel bad for what you’re not doing. Focus on how you can honor God and find peace in His promises. Hope that helps you sister. ~ Blessings
Thank you so much for this post. Today, it feels good to have a space filled with honesty regarding finances and tithing. Sometimes, I dislike how going to church makes you feel guilty if you don’t tithe and I don’t think that was God’s intention at all. I love giving, things are just rough right now.
My mom and I recently moved and more has been required of me (on top of what I already do and my separate bills) and I have been feeling so ashamed for considering to lower my tithe for this season. I believe that God can do and will provide all of my needs, things are just super tight right now due to my own bad decisions and life happening.
Hi Jameka – praise God that He brought peace to your heart today. God knows your heart and sometimes we have to take a few steps back to get back on track. So continue to seek God about your finances and listen to His voice, He will direct you. And as things change, increase your giving. God desires us to do things decently and in order, and that includes living within our means. God bless you sweetie, and thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Timberley
I am 62 and have not worked in 11 years due to a injury. I can’t stand or sit for very long at a time. I did not apply for disability because at the time my husband was working and we were making it o.k. with out it. Now my husband is no longer able to work and we are living off his disabilty check. I check into applying for disabilty to0 and was told because I waited over 10 years that I could not get it even though I had worked 19 years of my life. Now my husband has some major medical problems had to quit his job and he only gets his disabilty check. He worked in constrution and didn’t get any benfits. The first 2 1/2 years we had to pay for his health insurance before his Medicare kick in. It cost us $30.00 dollars during that time just to pay his insurance . We also, had high deductables, co-pay and co insurance. Both of his Kidneys are full of Kidney Stones. Along with other major problems. He has been to the ER and had to have some out patient surgery. Leaving us with $7,000.00 balance. It has been a huge struggle. My husband health problems could land him right back in the hospital at any time. My husband does not go to church and I do not even know if he is a christian and I do not get a check. The first time I started going to a new church the Sunday School teacher was talking about tithing and he looked at me and said everyone needs to pay their tithes. If you don’t have a job get one. Looking at me I look fine, but you don’t see my inside injuries to my foot or back. I still going to church. I always put a little in the offering plate ever Sunday. Then I was told we needed to put our tithes in the white envelope and the building fund in the white and brown enevelope. So I started putting $5.00 in the building fund and just dropping $10.00 in the offering plate. So I am giving $60.00 to $75.00 a month. My husband has to go to the doctor every month, sometimes 3 times a month. His medicene is not cheap either. What little we have saved is almost gone. This past Sunday the Senior Pastor was teaching the lesson, the same one who commented before the first Sunday I was there and he said: I don’t care if you have a $600.00 bill. You all are to give God 10% first. I don’t care if that $600.00 bill even gets paid. This is making me feel so bad. I have even thought about not going back, but I don’t want to tell my husband why I am thinking about stopping. He lets me give a little out of his check but I know he will not agree for me to take 10% of it and not pay our bills. The people are wonderful people and I love the church, but it is breaking my heart that I can’t pay 10%.
Peggy thank you for sharing your heart. I am sorry to hear about your health challenges – one thing I appreciate in your sharing is your care and regard for your husband. You are correct you need to honor your husband and be on the same page with how your money is spent. And that does include your giving. God knows your heart so as long as you are obedient to Him and your husband then don’t let the devil make you feel guilty. May God continue to bless you, heal you and strengthen you as you live for Him. ~ Blessings
In over 70 years I have found that no matter how hard things are I cannot afford NOT to tithe
AMEN!
Aaaargh, the dreaded ‘can’t afford not to’. Just makes no sense to say that.
My 88 year old father is living in a retirement residence. He earns $2000 a month, his monthly bill is $3700. He has now drained his savings. I am now making up the shortfall to ensure that he is getting the support he needs. I pay for all his extras. There are no residences available in our area that is more affordable. Am I to pay his tithes and my tithes?
Hi Anna! What a blessing you are to be able to help your father – and so honoring before God. God knows and sees your heart – he asks you to trust Him with all He has given you, no others. So no it’s not for you to pay tithes on behalf of someone else. I hope that answers your question. ~ Blessings
Although we are in a tight place financially right now, we decided several months ago to double our giving (still not at 10% but much closer). We weren’t sure how we’d manage it with a tight budget, but as you mentioned in the article, we had to look closer at our spending to cut things that would prevent us from giving more to God. It’s been amazing to see how God is working out our finances since then. We are being blessed with opportunities to decrease our monthly bills little at a time. My hope is that by the end of the year, we can increase our giving again! Being good stewards of what He gives us is such a good reminder for all of us, whether money, time or talents.
Praise God what a testimony. Thank you for sharing with us. God bless you!
I get 612.00 a month s.s. I pay my tithe every month. I can’t afford not to. It’s his money that I’m tithing with. I own my home and have a good car. He always takes care of me. Just my story. That’s all.
Hello,
I came to read this article after someone from a Ministry asked me to tithe. I had written to them asking for prayer for a bunch of things going wrong in my life. My health has been poorly after cracking my skull, my husband is struggling to get jobs in this COVID times, we are both depressed and a the list goes on. She sent me a prayer and asked me to tithe. I wrote back saying we weren’t doing very well and would tithe when things got better. She wrote back and said to tithe anyway. This kinda put me on the defensive to be honest. But after reading this, I will send them part of what I have. Is it a sin to be a not-too-joyful giver??? Cause I am not feeling the joy in this giving but I am doing it anyway because it is the right thing to do.
Cassandra you should give with a cheerful heart, and if you’re not feeling good about it, there’s a reason. That’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you. The Bible tells us NOT to give under compulsion, so if you’re only feel led to give because she told you then be mindful of that and pray. Too many times tithing is taught from an unbalanced message. Yes we should bring what belongs to God, but we should also learn how to manage the resources God placed in our hands so that we bring what belongs to him and provide for our family. This is why we believe if you teach tithing, also teach your people to budget and live below their means. It does not do the congregation any good to have a blessed church with broken people. Hope that makes sense. ~ Timberley
Greetings from Croatia!
Sorry for my bad English.
I want to tithe but what do I do if my husband is not a pratical believer ( ,dosnt go to church)
I want to tithe but he does not.
What do I do?
It”s very hard.
Thank you for your answer!
God bless You
Hi Marijana – that is a question we are asked often and our response is to honor you husband, and give when you can from what you have. For instance if you get a weekly allowance for fun money tithe off your fun money, etc. Honoring your husband is part of honoring God so when you do that, God will honor and bless you. Hope that helps. ~ Blessings
This is my experience with the question of to tithe or not to tithe. In my experience tithing has benefits beyond the act of giving 10% of my own hard earned money. The Bible, the ultimate book of all knowledge we people need to live an exciting faith-based life.
Growing up i received a $1 weekly allowance. I was expected to give a dime, 10%, of my allowance. I didn’t want to give the dime. It was my money. If my parents did not see me put a dime in the collection plate on Sunday, my parents would give me the same talk, you need to give one dime of your dollar to get your allowance next week. My parents were teaching me if I don’t give God 10% of my income when I received income I would not receive blessings of God in the future. As an adult I learned that I should give from my heart and free will 10% of my income, not giving only because I want my income to be multiplied by God. When we tithe we should be giving because we want to help others get what they need.
Tithing is an attitude. By giving our tithes because we want to help others, we get enriched ten times, twenty times, one hundred times as much as when we give only because we want something back. Either way it is good to tithe. After graduating from college I was unable to find work using my degree. I went to work for Whataburger for nine months flipping burgers and mopping up grease soaked floors. I went home smelling of hamburgers. My pay was just enough to pay for my small place and the utilities. I could make a gallon of milk last two weeks. God was humbling me. He wanted to tame my ego before allowing me to have the best professional job I could imagine. In the meantime I filled out applications using pen and paper (there was no internet then. I had to drive to every place offering computer programming jobs and fill out an application). With what little income I had, I put full faith in Gods word “to give and it will be given unto you”. I tithed. I received no offers for a professional job. I started tithing 15%. I was being taught by God to give more than I was receiving, give until it hurt. Oddly, it wasn’t until I started volunteering at the local food bank that I received more interviews. Then, after flipping burgers for nine months, praying endlessly, and trusting God more and more, I received a job using my college degree in Computer Science to be a computer programmer/analyst. The job was a dream come true. It was the right job for me. I loved that job. I tithed from every check I earned. My job assignments became better and better. It is odd that in my situation I had to push myself beyond tithing and get outside of my own way of thinking that God would do all the work for me. God was showing me that giving money to charity and sitting and waiting for God to find a job for me was not the right attitude to have. I had to move beyond believing God is doing everything for me to the attitude of me doing the work and have faith God was leading the way. May God Bless You.
Amen sister that was my revelation as well – Kingdom finances doesn’t work like the world and in God we are promised so much more. Thank you for stopping by to read and share your experience. God Bless You!
What do I do when my husband doesn’t want to tithe anymore because we make just enough for our bills. And I ask to cut down on other things and he refuses. Like the gym or extra cable, eating out. I told him that we must give my tithe and he said fine but he is not giving, That tithing was in the Le testament. He says that he has to provide form his family and save. If there is left over, then he might. He says he was giving unwilling before, because I wanted to give, but not anymore. What can I do? I keep him in prayer and have faith God will keep working in him.
Hi Sandra, that is a great question and you should honor your husbands request. If he is in agreement with you tithing from what you earn, then you should do that and God will honor you for honoring your husband and prioritizing God with what comes in your hands. Hope that encourages your heart. Continue to pray for God to lead you both and bless your finances.God knows your heart so do what you can when you can and continue to pray for God to show himself to your husband. Your husband is under pressure trying to care for his family, and God will reveal to Him in His timing. One thing that is hard for us as wives is that we try to be God to our husband’s and we can’t. ~ Timberley
Great article thank you! I have a question. If ny bank account is in negative and when I get paid should I give 10% of my earnings or what I actually have?
Hello Victoria – our giving to God is an act of worship and under grace so give what you can. Don’t feel condemnation to give a certain amount when it is beyond your means. If we find ourselves in a position where we can’t afford to give, that’s a sign for us to review our budget or create a budget and find places we can cut back so we can give – by honoring God with He has given us. I hope that brings your heart peace.
Hi, I’m 69 and on a fixed income. Although I’d love to work my area is poor and travel with renting is challenging, with owing the government more than makes it worth doing. Love to relocate too but it’s too expensive. I have a 21000. Home equity 3.7% loan and a 20 yr old car that is limited, I’m praying it holds out. Living in a rural area does not give dependable travel options. I live as frugal as you can get without tv and internet for many years, just my phone and now as I’m concentrating on paying off debt and saving I’m becoming even more frugal. And don’t really eat out and no vacations except traveling to my kids 3 to 4 times a year across state. If I tithe my emergency and debt savings will be dramatically less. I tried it before and was not blessed with more income or jobs. There are no Bible believing churches that are a good fit in my area either with people driving distances which I cannot do so I do audios on my phone which is great.. online at times as it’s not great with just a phone. I feel our lord wants me to get rid of debt first and save. I give of myself as much as I can, I’m reaching out more as God directs and brain storming how I can give.. Less income with tithing will only isolate me more and there’s no real church to give it to. Started the baby steps and the budget and believe it’s never too late. But I do feel differently about tithing for everyone. Thankyou for your heart felt answers.
Hello Laura I understand the struggle and God does know your heart, so continue to seek Him and let Him guide you. Your giving is a reflection of your heart not a law so you give what you can when you can and where God directs.
I want to add that I have for many years acknowledged that all that I have is my Lord’s and been frugal. But now feel after going over the baby steps see where I can be even better. Another matter that bothers me is the attitude of the giver. When I did tithe my attitude was to tithe to get more and be blessed with more which is the problem for me. I want to give not to get or expect back. Just to give as it’s God’s. Jesus’s parable of the wealthy man giving out small, medium and large amounts to his servants and my attitude of worry and feeling stuck with keeping money small jars makes me think of my situation too. I truly want to increase God’s money and assets the best that I can in the time that is given to me. I see and understand that there is much waste along with excess, unnecessary spending but there are many frugal people like me too. Tithing is also old testament. Jesus’s way is to be practical with a right heart and attitude. Thank you again.
This is what i’m struggling. i am practicing tithes (10%) for more than 2months. but now that i have financial problem since i have been a victim of investment scam. i am struggling now on my finances and i cant afford to tithe because i am the one who pays for the people who joined under me on the investment scam. that’s why all my daily income are just not enough for my daily refund for those people under me.
that’s why everyday i am negative in my finances. thus, i am struggling in my tithes
I am so sorry to hear this, I pray that God will give you wisdom and help you in this season.
I am so blessed I have plenty to tithe. There are some who don’t have enough after paying for her living quarters. I believe God will provide for her so that she can continue to tithe. She is 84 years old and her assised living takes every dime she has. If she doesn’t pay in full every month she will be on the street so 6 or 7 of us are going to chip in every month and each of us will give her ten dollars. We will not let her be thrown out of her one room. We are sisters in Christ. There is no reason for those who can no longer work to not have enough to live. I am learning how stingy some people can be. It’s no wonder the world is in such a mess. The devil thinks he’s in charge and sometimes it sure looks that way.
I am disabled and non-autonomous living with my parents, I gain absolutely no money. Should I still be welcome at church ? I hope yes… it’s not a matter of finances when the true poor have nothing. It”s not ” managing well ” the money when you don’t have any and I wish people understood that :'( So many shame surrounding this topic especially on Instagram and Facebook
Devon you are absolutely welcomed to church and we totally understand what you’re saying. In fact we agree, when you have no means and have needs it’s not about what you don’t have it’s about who God is and He will provide! You keep serving Him, seeking Him and He will make sure you have what you need. Living with your parents is God’s provision in your life, praise God for a shelter and family!