What to Do When You Can’t Afford to Tithe (2024)

Nearly every day someone asks me about money.

They want to know what I’m doing, what I’m investing in, how did I pay off debt so quickly, how do I do my budget, how is it you don’t have a day job…etc.

See, what’s really going on here is people are saying to themselves, “Whatever he is doing financially is obviously working. What I am doing is not working. Maybe if I apply his strategies, I’ll get his results too.”

And that’s great! There’s nothing wrong with thinking like that, in fact, I encourage you to take that approach!

But here’s where people miss it:

They’re looking for the wrong things.

Instinctively, people think I live a life of financial freedom because I must be great at budgeting, super disciplined and frugal, I’ve got some kind of financial degree, or I know of some hidden investments that magically make a ton of money.

Nope.

It’s none of those things.I don’t really have a traditional budget, no college degrees, I’ve never even read a Dave Ramsey book all the way through!

But here’s the TRUTH that most people don’t want to accept:

Without a shadow of doubt, the ONE THING that has set me up for financial success is tithing.

Hear me out-

Most of you reading this know what tithing is, it’s the simple act of returning to God, the first 10% of your income.

Every time you get some money, you tithe the first 10% to your local church where you’re spiritually fed.

This goes towards meeting the needs of the church so it can run, operate and do it’s thing.

I committed to tithing when I was 19, (I’m 33 now) and since then:

  • I have never missed or been late on any payment of any kind
  • Never struggled to make ends meet
  • Been stressed, worried, or lost sleep because of money
  • No major financial deficits
  • I’ve paid off debt, increased our income, and built financial margins

Now, have there been times when money was tight?

Absolutely.

But here’s the thing, those “seasons” were extremely short.

1-2 months tops, and to be 100% completely honest with you, they weren’t even that bad!

Why? Because I had a supernatural peace the entire time.

I know what the Bible promises will happen when I tithe:

Malachi 3:10-11 “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground.”

The Message Bible puts it, “Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.”

Another translation reads, “…See if I won’t open for you the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing far beyond your needs.”

I like that deal!

Step 1: Give God back 10% of what He gave me through a paycheck or a commission, or a business sale. (Your job/business/income/all came from Him anyway!)

Step 2: He opens up the windows of heaven and pours out blessings beyond my wildest dreams on me.

Step 3: The devourer is rebuked for my sake!

Okay, I’m in.

I’ve simply acted on this promise overall these years, and I’ve been living the results of the blessed life. (It’s a lot of fun, I highly recommend it btw!)

But people don’t want to hear that.

That’s not what they consider “real help.”

When people ask me for financial insight, I always start by asking them about tithing, andlike clockwork they snap back, almost like they’re annoyed at my question,

“Well, we can’t afford to tithe right now, we will when get some of this debt paid off…”

Or when we get a raise, or a promotion, or (insert wishful thinking here)

Again, let’s dissect what is really going on here. (I find if we will take a few minutes each day to examine why we think the way we think, we can weed-outfears and strongholds we didn’t even know were there.)

When we say, “I can’t afford to tithe.” – You’re actually saying, “God, I can’t do what you’ve told me to do.”

Now we all know that God doesn’t give us instructions that we are truly incapable of carrying out. When He gives instructions, He also empowers us to do them.

They may not seem easy, or we may not be able to see how it’s possible, but if He’s given us a command, we are capable.

Saying I CAN’T is also probably the wrong word too. What you probably mean is, “God, I have taken on too much debt. I have so many monthly payments going out, that by the time I pay them all, there is nothing left over from my paycheck. If I had plenty left, I’d surely give you some!”

Be real with yourself. I know you’ve thought that, because we all have – the devil loves it when he can talk you out of tithing!

Why? Think about it:

  1. Tithing causes the windows of heaven to open and blessing to be poured out on you nonstop. (The devil doesn’t want that)
  2. When you tithe, God rebukes the devil (The devourer) for your sake! (He REALLY doesn’t want that)

Of course he’s going to fight you tooth and nail in the area of your finances!

If he can convince you that you can’t afford to tithe, then the windows of heaven close, you stay stuck in your financial rut, and he’s not rebuked (restrained) from your life, your money, and what you produce.

In other words,

Tithing gives God permission to work in your finances.

And if your money is tight right now, that’s exactly what you need!

I would get God, the Creator, the Supplier, the Financier, the Benefactor, working in your moneyRIGHT NOW.

Obviously, whatever you’ve been doing isn’t working too well, so you might as well take a step of faith and act on God’s word.

What to Do When You Can’t Afford to Tithe

This is going to be good.

This is going to flip your financial life rightside up again.

Here’s the old financial equation that hasn’t been working:

Paycheck – Bills= $0

Here’s the new equation that God dares you to try:

Paycheck – Tithe = Bills paid with extra left over.

Question is, do you have the gutsto try it?

I tried it once when I was 19 and never looked back.

This is literally why the Bible says over and over, “the just LIVE by faith.”

Us Christians, live, walk out, act out, our faith. We LIVE what the Bible preaches.

So here’s what that looks like in real life:

Faith writes the checkFIRST.

Faith gives 10% of your income back to God FIRST.

Faith says, “I know this doesn’t make sense in the natural, but faith doesn’t always ‘make sense.’ I’m going to tithe and trust that God willdo what He said He would do!”

Faith chooses to trust God’s Word, more than your bank account balance.

Take a deep breath and prove your trustby writing that tithe check FIRST.

God knew that committing to the tithe would be hard in the flesh.

Did you notice that in Malachi 3:10 God actually tells you to “test Him, try Him, and prove Him” in the area of tithing?

It’s literally the only place in the Bible where God tells you to do that.

Interestingit’s used only in that one verse and in regards to money.

He’s letting you know, “Hey, you can trust Me in the area of finances. Put Me first, put your financial trust in Me, prove that you trust Me and then I’ll be able to give you a life of more than enough.”

You can do this.

You CAN afford to tithe.

Make the commitment in your heart to do it no matter what.

It’s not a matter of making a ton of money first, or being a financial budgeting wizard.

It’s about priority. What you put FIRST.

God is your number one priority. That’s why your money goes to Him FIRST.

Your bills used to be your number one priority, that’s why they got your money FIRST.

You arenowa tither.No matter what, you give 10% of all that comes in back to Him FIRST.

Don’t try to figure out “how you’re going to make it work,” – you take action and tithe, and God will “make it work.”

The windows of heaven are constantly open above you now, continually pouring out blessing far beyond your needs!

This is the beginning of your financial turnaround.

Expect blessing, expect increase, expect overflow so you can turn and be an even bigger blessing to others!

Copy My Blueprint for Making 10K a Month:

What to Do When You Can’t Afford to Tithe (1)

Step by step how to slash expenses, drastically increase your income, and invest to build real wealth.

What to Do When You Can’t Afford to Tithe (2024)

FAQs

What to Do When You Can’t Afford to Tithe? ›

If you're struggling with the idea of tithing or giving, spend some time with God, asking Him to give you wisdom and show you ways that you can help others—or even just be more generous. Even if giving doesn't come naturally, prayer can help soften our hearts and refocus our intentions.

What happens if you can't pay tithes? ›

If you're struggling with the idea of tithing or giving, spend some time with God, asking Him to give you wisdom and show you ways that you can help others—or even just be more generous. Even if giving doesn't come naturally, prayer can help soften our hearts and refocus our intentions.

Can you tithe without giving money? ›

See, the Bible is pretty clear on the importance of tithing. And it doesn't offer another option when it comes to giving 10% of your resources back to God. But the Bible does promote giving both your money and your time—especially if you don't have the ability to give above your tithe.

Should I tithe if I am in debt? ›

Attack Debt While Giving

“If you are in the middle of tackling debt but want to give or tithe, recognize that you might not be able to give as high a percentage of your income as you may like, or you may only be able to give your time,” she says. “That's OK. It's most important to first pay your obligations.

Should you really tithe during hardships? ›

You should tithe during hardships. The Lord will pull you through. And when he blesses you, you'll be able to give back even more. Are you trusting the Lord with your tithe?

Do I have to give all my tithe to the church? ›

Most churchgoers say the Bible commands them to give. But their tithes don't always go in the offering plate. Half of Protestant churchgoers say their tithes can go to a Christian ministry rather than a church. A third say tithes can go to help an individual in need.

Can I tithe without giving to a church? ›

Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College, said that giving part of one's tithe to ministries outside the church is acceptable, but hardly preferable.

What are the other ways to pay tithes? ›

The correct way to tithe is to give 10% of your income back to God. This is known as the “tithe” and comes from a commandment in the Bible. Tithing can be done by giving cash, check, or other forms of payment like stocks and bonds.

How much should I tithe per month? ›

Tithe 10% on your total check before taxes or any deductions, not after. If you would like, add up to ten percent of every individual bill that comes in and then tithe that amount monthly on whatever day works best for your schedule.

How much should you tithe each week? ›

A tithe is 10%. But Christians under New Testament law are not bound to Old Testament law. So give as much as you'd like, even far and beyond a tithe!

What did Jesus say about tithing? ›

Jesus says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

What are the 3 tithes? ›

There are three types of tithes mentioned in the Old Testament. Each has a specific purpose. The Levitical tithe, the feast tithe, and the poor tithe were not given to the same people and provided for different needs.

What is the average tithe percentage? ›

Practicing Christians are much more likely to set their giving to at least the customary 10 percent tithe (42%), though that means the majority of practicing Christians is still giving in lower or less predictable amounts.

Can you pay tithe with credit card? ›

Tithe.ly Pay is a church point of sale system that allows your church to easily receive contactless in-person payments for coffee, books, events, and more. People can swipe their debit or credit card, insert their chip card, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay on the spot.

What is poor tithe? ›

The distribution of which to be given to those in need or want, especially widowed women and orphan children.

Should you tithe on retirement savings? ›

During retirement, you may feel like you are living off saved money that was previously tithed; therefore, you technically do not need to tithe it again. However, we are always to remain givers, living openhandedly with what God has given us.

Why do some Christians not tithe? ›

The premise of Why Christians Should Not Tithe is simple: God, having freed his people from the Law through faith in Jesus Christ, does not place on them a burden from the Law. The thesis is equally as simple: Christian giving is not a tithe.

What does the Bible say about not tithing? ›

The Bible is very clear in Leviticus 27:30 where it says “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord's, and is holy.” And Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” It's critical to recognize that tithing was central to God's law.

What denominations require tithing? ›

Tithing remains an important doctrine in many Christian denominations, such as the Congregationalist Churches, Methodist Churches and Seventh-day Adventist Church.

How much should my tithe be when I retire? ›

In either case, this is an easy calculation by applying 10% to an income amount. Many retirees choose to tithe similarly to how they did in their working years. They simply tithe on whatever income they receive.

How much does the average family give to church? ›

The average donation to a church is $205. Here's the breakdown by gift amount: 44.06% of all gifts are under $100. 33.07% of gifts are between $100-$249.

Do you tithe on gross or net income? ›

In fact, according to the Tithing Principles and Guidelines, published by the General Conference in 1990, “Tithe should be computed on the gross amount of a wage or salary earner's income before legally required or other employee authorized deductions.

Can you tithe any day of the week? ›

When are you supposed to tithe? You do it on the day you worship. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On every Lord's Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn” (TLB).

Is tithing a New Testament requirement? ›

Nonetheless, though tithing is mentioned in the New Testament (e.g. Mt 23:23; Heb 7:5-9), it is nowhere clearly stated as an expectation for Christians. For Tithing: It is true that Christians are not bound by the old Law of Moses. We are under the Law of Christ instead, keeping in step with the Spirit.

Why did God say we should pay tithes? ›

The truth of God's tithes and offerings is that we bring ourselves closer to Him when we give. Jesus says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving tithes and offerings puts our love for God before our worldly wealth and shows that our heart is always with Him.

Where should I pay my tithe according to the Bible? ›

And so, the primary place to pay tithes is the local church, where we worship and are blessed. There are other arguments against this position, but judging from the scriptural point of view, reason and logic, local church is the rightful place where tithes should be paid.

What is tithing under the new covenant? ›

Besides not being taught by Jesus or His apostles, tithing focuses on fulfilling an obligation rather than responding from the heart. It hinders what a person could do by making them think that they have done enough. New Covenant giving, on the other hand, is an act of worship from the heart.

How much do you tithe on Social Security? ›

QUESTION: If your only income is from social security, are you supposed to pay tithe and offering? ANSWER: It is believed that one should tithe from the gross of any increase one receives. When you tithe from your gross, you tithe from the overall amount from which your social security has been deducted.

Is tithe paid after expenses? ›

tithing on the net (after taxes): “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.” Tithes should be given from the first fruits—your income before any expenses or other obligations are taken out—the gross, not the net. (Also read Deuteronomy 26.)

Why do non tithers become poor? ›

Non-tithers become poor because devourers constantly eat their wealth. AND I WILL REBUKE THE DEVOURER for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11.

Is the tithe every three years? ›

At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates.

Why do Catholics not tithe? ›

The avoidance of tithing reflects the sense of ownership parishioners feel toward their churches -- or more precisely, the lack of it. “The heritage in Catholic thought that still hangs over people is that they are just customers and the clergy really owns the church,” said Dean R.

What percent of LDS members pay tithing? ›

This statistic shows the results of a survey among Mormons in the United States on whether they pay tithing, i.e. 10 percent or more of their income, to their church, or not. 79 percent of respondents stated they pay tithing to their church.

Do you pay tithing on 401k? ›

Tithing. If and when you withdraw funds from your 401(k), you tithe a percentage of the earnings on your account, not the original deposited amount. This assumes taxes and tithes have already been paid on the principal amount.

Does the Bible say you should retire? ›

Nowhere in the Bible does it mention we should stop working. This doesn't mean that you need to work until you die, but that the type of work you will do later in life is different. Retirement is not a Biblical concept, but a cultural concept.

What is tithing punishment? ›

Each tithingman was individually responsible for the actions and behaviour of all the members of the tithing, by a system known as frankpledge. If a person accused of a crime was not forthcoming, his tithing was fined; if he was not part of the frankpledge, the whole town was subject to the fine.

Is it a sin to be in debt? ›

Though the Bible does not encourage financial debt, there is one debt it does encourage, and that is to love one another. Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” The Bible does not forbid debt, but it does not speak positively of it.

What are the three types of tithes? ›

There are three types of tithes mentioned in the Old Testament. Each has a specific purpose. The Levitical tithe, the feast tithe, and the poor tithe were not given to the same people and provided for different needs.

Does God bless you for tithing? ›

Paying tithing brings great blessings, especially in helping us better recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives. The Lord has commanded us to pay tithing. In return, He promises to “open … the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

How do you properly tithe? ›

The correct way to tithe is to give 10% of your income back to God. This is known as the “tithe” and comes from a commandment in the Bible. Tithing can be done by giving cash, check, or other forms of payment like stocks and bonds.

What debt is unforgivable? ›

1. WHICH DEBTS ARE NEVER FORGIVEN? Bankruptcy never forgives child and spousal support or alimony, criminal fines and restitution, and claims from drunk driving accidents.

What does God say about borrowing money and not paying it back? ›

Exodus 22:14 - If anything is borrowed, it should be paid back. If what is borrowed is lost or injured, full restitution must be made. Ps 37:21 - The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed is should be paid back.

Does God forgive debt? ›

And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord's release. Through the book of Deuteronomy, the Bible calls for debt forgiveness every seven years.

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