The question of tithing when bills can't be paid involves faith, biblical interpretation, and personal stewardship, with perspectives suggesting either prioritizing basic needs/household obligations (like paying bills) or maintaining tithing as an act of faith, often suggesting a blend like giving a smaller amount or serving in other ways. Many resources emphasize that Christians have a duty to provide for their households, while also stressing generous, cheerful giving as a principle, leading to recommendations to balance these responsibilities, potentially reducing or pausing tithing temporarily to meet urgent needs, or finding non-monetary ways to give.
I Am in Debt, Do I Still Have to Pay my Tithes? Yes as long as you are a believer walking with the Lord, you have to offer your tithes to God as well as paying your debts. This is your obedience to God concerning giving. A lot of us are in debts but that doesn't give us a licence to be disobedient to God.
Proverbs 22:26 - Do not become guarantors for debts. Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little.
Even if you're in debt or walking through a rough financial season, tithing should still be a priority. Yep—you read that right. While it's tempting to throw that money at your debt, the discipline and faith that tithing brings are so worth it.
And in Malachi 3:10, God actually promises to bless us if we faithfully tithe. Here's something else: Many people have noticed that when they stop tithing, their finances seem to get worse. Whoa. That's why you shouldn't pause it to pay down debt.
Some may say "God won't curse you for not tithing, but if you don't tithe you won't be blessed. And without being blessed, you will continue to stay under the curse." No, this is not the truth. Jesus took the curse you deserved and bore it away.
God's message on financial struggles emphasizes trusting Him for provision, seeking His kingdom first, avoiding debt, and practicing stewardship, with promises of support for the righteous while encouraging prudence, as seen in verses like Philippians 4:19 (God supplies needs), Matthew 6:33 (seek first God's kingdom), and Proverbs 22:7 (borrower is slave to lender).
Dave Ramsey's debt payoff strategy centers on the Debt Snowball method, a behavioral approach focusing on paying off debts from smallest balance to largest for motivational wins, combined with strict budgeting, cutting expenses, increasing income, and eliminating new debt, all part of his broader 7 Baby Steps plan, particularly Baby Step 2. The core idea is that behavior (80%) drives finance (20%), so small wins build momentum to tackle bigger debts, rather than focusing solely on high-interest rates.
Jews living in Gentile lands were exempt (Leviticus 27:30-34). Others exempt from the tithing law included the hired hands, fishermen, miners, lumber workers, construction workers, soldiers, weavers, potters, manufacturers, merchants, government workers, and priests. In short, all who were not farmers were exempt.
While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow.
May we entrust our lives, our bills, and our bank accounts to you. May we commit our salaries, our investments, and our assets to your care. All of it is Yours, Lord, given to us to steward temporarily.
Sometimes the financial hardships you face have nothing to do with what you've done or not done. We live in an imperfect, sin-filled world, and the consequences of sin affect us all. God has given people the option to choose between right and wrong, and sometimes people choose wrong.
Tithing on a Budget
If you can't afford to tithe due to a tight budget, you can always volunteer your time and talents, says Deborah L. Meyer, CPA/PFS, CFP®, and the author of Redefining Family Wealth: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Living. “Giving both your money and your time are forms of tithing,” Meyer explained.
Evangelist Bill Graham, stood before this great crowd of Christians and told them that: "Tithing is a sin against the Gospel of grace".
The Tithe is the Floor, Not the Ceiling
Giving your tithe does not exempt you from serving. You can—and should—give time just like you give money. You should volunteer time to your local church and the ministries God is calling you to (Eph. 4:12).
In the New Testament, neither God nor Jesus commanded anyone to tithe money. But we are to love each other and “…as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” Galatians 6:10 (NIV). “Doing good” would include giving money to the poor.
2 Corinthians 9:7 isn't directly about the specific amount of tithing (10%) but emphasizes the attitude of giving, stating, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). While Old Testament law commanded tithing, this New Testament passage shifts the focus to voluntary, joyful, heart-felt generosity, which can include financial support for the church but also extends to time, effort, and love, without obligation.
It will take effort, discipline and, perhaps, some outside help, but you can make it if you do the following:
The "777 rule" in debt collection, also known as the 7-in-7 rule, is a CFPB regulation (Regulation F) limiting calls: collectors can't call more than 7 times in 7 days for a specific debt, nor call within 7 days of a conversation about that debt. It aims to prevent harassment, applying to calls, texts, and emails, though exceptions exist, and the presumption of compliance can be rebutted by aggressive call patterns like rapid succession or highly concentrated calls.
Jesus, I come to You asking for financial help. Even when my situation seems hopeless, I trust Your promise to provide. Help me to see how You're working in my life, and lead me toward people who can help. I know You are good, and I know You can provide a financial breakthrough.
If You Go Into Debt, Be Honest
The Bible reinforces those moral absolutes. Psalms 37:21 makes clear that wicked people incur debt with no intention of paying it back. And Ecclesiastes 5:5 says, “Better you should not vow, than vow and not pay.”
Financial freedom means having enough to provide adequately for your household and to give generously and joyfully to God's work. God wants you to be financially free so you can put Him first in your life and be sensitive to His voice, ready to follow Him whenever -- and wherever -- He leads.