To tithe or not to tithe...anyone?

Proud - posted on 09/23/2012

Continue to tithe. If you have true faith in God then you do not need to be concerned as to where the money will come from.



Last year for my daughters 1st birthday I literally had no money to buy her gifts or anything. I prayed about it about it and a few days before her birthday I got some unexpected money.

Carla - posted on 09/18/2012

I think you answered your own question, Stephanie. You said: 'I hate the idea of not tithing because I know that when you do God takes care of you financially.'



Pray about it, ask the Lord to show you where you can economize, or if you CAN donate your time as tithes. Praying things turn around for you.



God bless

Stephanie - posted on 09/18/2012

I know that this thread is old, but I just wanted to add. Tithing your time is a form of tithing. Helping out at your church is something of value. I have also been tithing for years. I believe in it very much, but recently we have been hit with many things. To be honest by the time we pay all of our bills we don't have 10% left to give. I hate the idea of not tithing because I know that when you do God takes care of you financially. I was just wondering if I could just give what I could. Plus I help out in the pre-school and I know that counts.

Dann - posted on 08/29/2012

you must each decide in your hearts how much to give,and don,t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.for GOD loves a person who gives cheerfully.

paul in 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7:



DANN G. WILSON II

Valerie - posted on 06/08/2011

I would also reiterate that while "tithing" does mean giving 10%, the New Testament does NOT instruct us to tithe!! We are just supposed to give cheerfully - no specific amount required. It burns me to no end when people hold all Christians to OT standards - standards which were given specifically to the nation of Israel. We are under GRACE NOT THE LAW!! Jesus fulfilled the law. Basically, the only "law" we follow as Gentile Christians is to love God and love others. To follow THAT law, some people may feel called to only give a few dollars each week, others, who have an abundance, may feel called to give even more than 10%. If each of us lives sacrificially, putting God and others first, the amount we each give will be different, but God will be glorified in it. Remember that the widow's mite was a better gift than the larger amount that came from someone's abundance.

Julie - posted on 06/07/2011

nah, not a bigger building. just a fancier one.

Mary - posted on 06/06/2011

Julie- I think that the church you attended since you were a baby is supposed to help the unbelievers and people in the community. It's a good sign that the church was building a bigger building because that means the church is growing:-) what a positive thing, and they want their church to look nice to invite more people that is God working in that church it sounds like to me. Showing others compassion is a Christians purpose and to help one another esp. the unbelievers. We are to show them the way with a cheerful heart and a giving heart. The situation you are in is tough but I think it is so good that you continue to tithe. It is showing faith and I am going to continue to tithe. Everyone's comments have encouraged me and have really opened my eyes. I spoke with my husband and he is in agreement. Lisa, I am so sorry for the situation you are in and I wish I could help you. Continue to pray and I will pray for your health to get better.

Kristen - posted on 06/06/2011

I like what Linda has to say. We have often been in your situation & have learned that to keep back what God has asked us to give back only results in more hardship. Obeying Him when we have nothing in the bank seems ridiculous, but it gives a great opportunity to see Him work. God does promise to supply our NEEDS, He does not promise life will be easy or to deliver us from our poor spending choices. In ANY situation, do whatever God is asking you to do knowing His promises to provide & you will be blessed.

Yvette - posted on 06/05/2011

Hi there. God will supply your 'needs' as he sees them. However, he also wants a cheerful giver I believe as according to the scriptures. I read that he doesnt want us to give begrudgingly, so maybe you could spend some time in prayer about this, not with what you have been taught by your church/pastor, but by meditating on scripture passages that discuss tithing and giving of your time/tithe/talents. Seek what God wants of you and not what you have been taught by man.

Tia - posted on 06/05/2011

Tithe! The Lord will take care of your needs in his timing, sometimes when you least expect it. This is your time to push through and really trust God oppose to getting pulled away by the many things that seem so important.

Jane - posted on 06/04/2011

But if I give my time, then the church does not have to hire someone to do the work, thus effectively increasing the value of what I give.

There is no point in tithing to a point that your children go without. That is NOT the New Testament way.

Julie - posted on 06/04/2011

Giving time isn't tithe though. Tithing refers specifically to giving 10% of what you earn - if you are paid in money, that means 10% of your money, if you are paid in goods, that means 10% of your goods. The tithe specifically refers to what we EARN. It does not include gifts or charity (although we can give to God what we have been given by others, but that is an offering not a tithe). All of our time should be given to God, such that no matter what we are doing, it is for Him. If we have time to help out in church, we should be doing that automatically, not instead of something else.

I give as much time to church as my health allows. I'd love to do more than the one ministry I do (being a leader for a group for young girls at the church one night a week) but I get too ill through winter to the point where I'm a liability to the group rather than an asset. But even if I could do more (which sadly I can't), I wouldn't consider doing instead of a tithe.

I don't know if I mentioned it in my other posts though, I'm a firm believer that we are under grace and don't NEED to tithe. I do it because I feel it's my calling, not because it's mandatory. I get the feeling though some people (not necessarily anyone here,but others I've met IRL) that they see tithing as a way of buying themselves a good life from God. Tithing is no guarantee of anything. The only reason people should do it because they are feeling God is calling them to - without any expectation of anything in return except the joy that goes with following what God is calling us to do.

Jane - posted on 06/04/2011

Tithe what you can. My father has done well in life, so he will give the church extra for specific needs. OTOH, I have very little income, so rather than giving money, I give time. I look after babies during service each week.

Consider giving time rather than money until you are at a better place.

Julie - posted on 06/04/2011

Nobody in the western world makes nothing. I work two days a week in a minimum wage job. I tithe 10% of what I make. I just can't pay medical expenses. Last year I left the church I have been to since I was a baby, nothing to do with finances or helping or anything (they simply got rid of the only service at a time of a day my ill health allows me to get to) so I've started attending a church with a service can get to. But one of the things I find with my former church is they are more into building fancy new buildings and helping people in the community who don't go to church, while ignoring the people who have steadfastly been attending for years. 30 years, most of that time going several times a week, being involved in several ministries until I got ill, and even now, still involved in one of their outreach ministries and how many people have bothered to even find out if I'm still alive? Short version is I can count the number on my fingers.

After a year of searching for a new church, I've finally found one but am only getting there once a month due to ill health. They don't help people directly as they don't have the resources, but I've been told of places that do like help out with bills, etc (like the local salvos and the local pentecostal church) but there are very strict limits on what they'll help with, and will only do it twice per calendar year, and there are a few places that do cheap food but unfortunately they aren't much cheaper than when supermarkets have special and I can only eat certain foods which they rarely have - it does save me a few dollars on food for my daughter, but not much.

I've been trusting God my entire life, I've just accepted that He sometimes chooses to say no to our requests - He chooses to say no to healing my body and chooses to say no to me having access to medical treatments that would make my health a bit better.

Some very faithful Christians get sick, and some die (before old age I mean). We can pray, and God always answers, but sometimes it's just not the answer we want.

Linda - posted on 06/04/2011

Julie, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19). Take it to the Lord in prayer. God DOES supply our needs if we ask him and trust him...and not just in America. I would encourage you to read the autobiography of George Mueller. God was continually supplying his needs at the last minute. If you are not making anything, then you clearly have nothing to tithe. Also, when in need, I would not depend on the government, but the church! Our church as a deacon's fund which is regularly used to supply the physical needs of people in the church and the community. There are many churches and parachurch organizations out there to help those in need. God will meet your needs---I have tried Him over and over and so have millions of others. Trust him!

Julie - posted on 06/04/2011

Just a question - what is the answer to those who are tithing despite living on one part time low paid job for the whole family, and when there hasn't been enough money for basics like food or rent, no help has appeared? instead leaving the parents to go hungry at times so the kids are fed,and having to borrow money to pay the rent because you have received the final noticed before being kicked out literally onto the streets with nowhere and noone to help? Money borrowed to pay essentials that you have no income the next pay to pay back, so the debt grows and grows.

What would you say to a family in that situation? keep tithing and hope that after years of living in poverty and going without essentials like food and medicines many times, hoping some how things change after years of living like that?

A lot of people in western society never have to face that question, but in third world countries, christians DO often face that, and the reality is, it's something that several aussie families I know face. They are already living on food that isn't fit for animals, past use by dates, etc,which is what they often sell "cheap" at foodbanks, they are living as cheaply as possible, but with a healthcare system that claims to be "free" but is very much not free, especially medications, and aussie health insurance being very different from american health insurance ie even if you can afford expensive health insurance, visits to doctors are NOT covered by insurance, neither are medications, all it takes is for one family to have health problems and the family is left with the choice between food and meds.

I'm in that situation. I continue to tithe, but I'm constantly sick because I can't afford necessary medications, and I'm constant agonising pain because I also have several permanent injuries and other conditions like crippling arthritis and fibromyalgia.

I'm not even supposed to be working. I'm well aware if I keep working the way I do now, I'll be in a wheelchair by 40 (if not earlier), but it's the only way to pay the bills.

In all honesty, even if I didn't tithe, I still couldn't afford my medical expenses. I'd need double my income to pay for my basic needed medical expenses (for the complex ones, I'd need ten times my income or more), so tithing just stops me from being able to afford only a few of my healthcare needs.

But all the same... while I'm not saying tithing is bad (because I still tithe despite everything), there is no guarantee your needs will be provided for if you do tithe.

Kristy - posted on 06/03/2011

Tithe. I can't say it enough. Somehow we always tithe and we always have enough money for bills. Living on one income is tough. Try couponing. I'm starting to get into that. Don't cut God short, or he might cut your money shorter.

Frances - posted on 06/03/2011

We also tithe. Do you ever get a tax refund? Perhaps it could be used for getting teeth fixed and another car. Can you save money in other ways such as buying generic or going to a food bank? If you have cable TV, a newspaper subscription, or other luxuries you could discontinue them. Also we only eat out about twice a year. I read that you have a baby. Do you cloth diaper? That also saves money. I cloth diapered all my children and I actually do more laundry now that they are teenagers than when they were in diapers.

Nina - posted on 06/03/2011

Tithe is a must pay from your gross income.10% should be given as tithe

Rebekah - posted on 06/02/2011

I've been in your situation many times... but we STILL tithed because when you store up the treasures in heaven, you allow God to open the treasuries of heaven in times of need.

God did that for us EVERY single time we needed it. We came to points where we literally thought we couldn't make our rent payment and the day it was due, the money appeared. We had times where we needed formula for our son and we would tithe the last bit of money we had, that same day someone came up to us because God pressed them to give us money and it was exactly what we needed to get formula.

When you tithe, you allow God to bring about the impossible. The Bible says His children will NOT beg for bread. The Bible says He cares for us MORE than the birds in the sky and flowers that bloom... if He can take care of them daily, He can take care of you.

You must tithe to keep the blessings in your life. When you don't tithe, I can tell you, you will rob the blessings from your life - I've seen it firsthand.

Tithing is SO important - it's the last thing you want to cut out of your finances.

Sandy - posted on 06/02/2011

The new testament does not tell us we have to tithe 10%. In 1 Corinthians 16:2 it says: "On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come." We are to give as much as we can to God. If that is 10%, great, if not, it is ok. God wants us to give from our hearts, not because we think we have to. If 5% is a sacrifice, God knows and will accept it. We struggle with finances and give what we can, God provides us the rest.

Mary - posted on 06/02/2011

yes, that is helpful Anne- thank you for sharing those stories. Last week we gave half our tithing money and are left with $20 in the bank and have a 4 mth to care for it needs to last us a wk and half more. It feels good to trust God that he will provide and I want my heart to be doing it for the right reasons. I think the natural thing in hard times is to say "well... when I make more money Ill tithe" or "I don't have enough to tithe" But I heard you need to pay God first. and you need to look at your 10% as Gods and the rest (90%) is ours! looking at it that way was interesting to me. I can tell so many stories of how God has provided we just have never been this broke. Last mth we were in the same boat and randomly got a check saying we overpaid car ins. $150. things like that where it seems money came out of no where is proof God provides. I think God wants me to use my abilities and go back to work. It's like. I know what to do and what the right thing to do is I just need confirmation I guess.

Anne - posted on 06/02/2011

Hi Mary I have 2 stories about tithing. One from my dad from the late 1950's and one from last Christmas.

As a child I always wondered why when I put my dads socks away after folding the laundry why there was money in the drawer. I never asked. BUT I did find out. My oldest sister and I were talking about our daddy about 4 years ago.(He had been in Glory 6 years by then).


This is what she told me. When my sister was a young married women in the mid to late 1950'she asked our dad how he and mom had tithed because she and her husband were having a hard time making ends meet and could not imagine having enough money if they did tithe. Dad told her that when he cashed his check each a moth(dad was only paid once a month and he worked commission so their income changed from month to month.) he put their tithe money in his sock drawer and told God that what ever money that was left over, minus any thing they could not live with out that he would with a cheerful heart give to God as their tithe. Dad never needed to take out even one penny ever. Dad told her Your mom and I can not afford to not tithe. But we know that our attitude is as important as our money. My sister and her husband started to tithe and although they had to be careful to not waist money they always had enough to cover all of their needs.

The 2nd story is from my husband and my youngest daughter. She lives in San Diego CA. She has a good job but the cost of living is high in CA. Because of things that have happened in her life in the past 6 years she knows she is in God's Will living in CA. We live in MI. We were wrapping last minute gifts about 3 days before Christmas and she showed me a bracelet that she received as a thank you gift for giving to World Vision. She had used her tithe money for a previous month. Our daughter told me that the day she was making out the check to send she told God that she wanted to tithe but on what she made a month she did not know how much longer she was going to be able to afford to tithe the full 10%. She told me that the very next day she found out she would be working between 45 - 50 hours for the next 2 months. These months were the months that her bills were the highest because of her utilities. Our daughter told me she knew that if her attitude was right then God would Bless her tithing.

My reason for sharing these stories is to encourage you and your husband to continue tithing and to trust that God will fill all of your needs.

Now all 3 people in these 2 stories were doing every thing in their power to live a thrifty life style as I am sure you and your husband are doing.

Please understand that we are NOT BUYING GOD'S Blessings! But only doing what the Scriptures teach us to do.

Mary - posted on 06/02/2011

wow thank you Sara for posting the video:) it is very helpful! can't wait to show my husband!

Linda - posted on 06/02/2011

Is there any chance you could find work to do at home?

Mary - posted on 06/02/2011

thank you! we have doungraded our bills to the very minimal. we don't have t.v. no credit payments we got rid of any credit about 1 yr ago cause we don't believe people should be in debt. I think I need to go back to work. :)

Sara - posted on 06/02/2011

Great message on Tithing. I pray this blesses you. We tithe and give as well. we actually have what we call a giver's pool.

Linda - posted on 06/02/2011

You believe in tithing. Do it. Trust in God to meet your other needs. "My God will supply ALL your needs"! Are there other ways you can cut expenses? Shopping at Salvation Army? Cooking more inexpensive meals? Do you have any debt that you pay interest on? I truly believe that debt is one of the biggest reasons more Christians are not tithing today, and it's not a good idea to have debt. The Bible says "owe no man anything but to love one another". By the way, he doesn't always meet our needs in advance, but often "just in time"!