Should You be Tithing When You Can’t Pay Your Bills?

It’s a subject so many of us struggle with. We believe in the tithe and we usually understand its importance, but how are we supposed to tithe when we’re broke? It’s the question that has been on my mind for a long time – should you be tithing when you can’t pay your bills? 

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I’ve been reading a book called Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn. There are a lot of things in the book that opened my eyes. I’m not saying that I agree with every single thing the book discusses because let’s be real – how often do we agree with every statement that comes out of someone’s mouth? Especially where there are nearly 500 pages worth of statements? (You can also check out his shorter book, Managing God’s Money.) However, despite the couple of things that I’m not in agreement with, there is so much truth hitting me in the face!

Truth #1: Tithing Literally Means a Tenth

This is a new truth that I learned – tithe means a tenth. So, if you’re only giving 3% because that’s what you can afford, you aren’t actually tithing! Plus, you should be giving a tenth of everything – even what’s taken out before insurance. 

Alcorn says that you should tithe what’s taken out before taxes, too, but I’m not too sure on that one yet. If we tithe the amount prior to taxes, does that mean we don’t have to tithe from our tax return? Although, if you see taxes as paying a bill to the government, it would make sense to give a 10th of your gross income. 

You should also tithe from gifts and unexpected income. Tithing should include a tenth of everything.

Truth #2: Will You Die Living on 10% Less?

What’s 10% to you? For many people already struggling to pay bills, a tenth is a lot. It doesn’t make mathematical sense to give 10% away when your bills are maxing you out. This is where we are lacking in faith. But if you really look at it, what will you have to give up in order to tithe? If it isn’t something that you have to have to live (food, water, shelter), then why can’t we tithe?

Truth #3: It Isn’t Your Money; It’s God’s

This one hit me with the guilt pretty fast. I don’t think Alcorn wants to guilt anyone into tithing, as he talks about the joy of giving consistently. However, it’s important to know that everything that we have is not ours, including our money. Giving 10% isn’t giving 10% of our money, it’s giving His money back. We have 90% left to live as He would want us to but if we use 100% to live how WE want to, we are stealing at least 10%. We are managers of God’s money, not our own. 

Truth #4: Your Debt is Not God’s Fault 

We’re using Dave Ramsey’s baby steps to pay off debt. The debt my husband and I have racked up is our own fault. It stems from our own selfish and material desires and a lack of financial knowledge when we were younger. Sure, my first credit card was maxed out on college textbooks because I couldn’t afford them on my own (nor could my single mom), but I remember making numerous purchases on credit cards that had nothing to do with school. 

I wanted to do things with my friends on the weekends, so I used my card. Then when I hit adulthood I found out I could get a percentage back from paying on bills – what a deal! It was not a deal since I wasn’t paying exactly what I charged back to the card. None of that was Godly or for His purpose. It is not His responsibility to pay it back. It’s mine. 

Truth #5: There are Consequences to Not Paying the Tithe

It’s unlikely that you’ll see Earthly consequences to not tithing. You won’t even be denied eternal life in heaven if you don’t tithe – once you’re saved, you’re saved! Then there’s the idea that there are consequences to not paying your bills – tithing when you can’t pay your bills doesn’t make any Earthly sense.

I recently learned that those Christians that lived better and gave better earn more authority and rule in heaven. Of course, there is no jealously in heaven, but those that live according to His Word really get more rewards in heaven. 

If you’re like me, you might be wondering, if there’s no jealousy, why would I care what rewards I get in heaven? Would I care if someone has more authority than me? Not in heaven! But my Earthly self is wondering….what kind of rewards?

Truth #6: Tithing Your Time is Not the Same

Giving your time is important and necessary…but it doesn’t take the place of financial tithing. God wants us to give so that others can be introduced to Him. Without your financial tithe, could churches help missionaries in third world countries that have never heard the Gospel? Without your financial tithe, how would we show the love of Jesus to those in need? 

As Christians, we already believe that God will provide. How will the homeless guy know who is providing for him if we don’t tell him? Tithe financially and your time. Both are crucial to the mission of Christ.

Tithe. You’ll be Rewarded. 

When it comes down to it, faith is what’s needed to tithe when you are broke. I understand the difficulty. I’ve been there, too. Then, I prayed about it hard. I also prayed that my daughter would stay in her own bed all night long, which hasn’t happened in a while. When I woke up the next morning and there wasn’t a toddler in my bed, I felt like prayers had been answered. 

It seemed like He was sending me a sign that I should just trust Him to take care of things. Maybe that sounds crazy to you, but to me, it was the answer I needed to start to tithe. Have you had a similar experience? Or, have you tithed when you struggled to pay your bills? How did it work out for you? Let me know in the comments!