Should you tithe while trying to get out of debt? (2024)

FAQs

Should you tithe while trying to get out of debt? ›

If you're in debt, tithing should still be a priority. Listen, I know it's tempting to throw that money at your debt, but the discipline and faith that tithing brings are so worth it. Even while you're paying down debt, you can still have an attitude of generosity.

If you're living paycheck to paycheck and putting all extra income towards paying off debt, try to cut other expenses and start giving. It may not be ten percent at first, but giving what you can will help you keep a grateful heart and a stewardship mindset.

Tithing on a Budget. First things first, you're not a bad person if you can't afford to or don't tithe. If you can't afford to tithe due to a tight budget, you can always volunteer your time and talents, says Deborah L.

Do I need to tithe on loaned money? Generally speaking, we tithe on our income. Loaned money from a bank or lending institution is not income, but debt that must be paid back with interest. Therefore, loans are not sources of income, but sources of expense that would not require a tithe.

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. Someone refusing to repay reveals a wicked heart and not the generous and giving heart God wants us to have.

Romans 13:8 (NIV): "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." Psalm 37:21 (NIV): "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously."

God cannot accept the payment of tithes because of what Jesus has done. But God will accept you GIVING A TITHE. He will not punish you if you do not give a tithe. There is a big difference in paying tithes and giving tithes.

In the Hebrew Bible

(Deuteronomy 14:28) When you have finished tithing all the tithes of your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give them to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow, so that they can eat to satiety in your cities. (Deuteronomy 26:12)

In the New Testament there is no recording of Jesus ever telling his deciples to collect the tithe from his followers. He never told anybody to pay 10% of their income. What he DID say was that we should help one another, be good to one another. If someone has a need and you can help them, do it.

What did Jesus say about tithing? ›

After Jesus saved humanity from eternal death, He introduced a new perspective on tithing and offerings (John 3:16). Jesus endorses tithing – but expects His followers to exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees whom He encouraged to continue tithing (Matthew 23:23).

Against Tithing:

We are rather told to rely on the Spirit and to fulfill the Law of Christ (1Cor 9:20-21; Gal 5:16-18), which is to love God and our neighbors—in so doing we fulfill the whole Law (Mt 22:37-37; Gal 5:13-15; 6:2).

Jesus and His disciples never paid tithes neither did they instruct anyone to do so. Paul wrote three quarters of the New Testament and had many opportunities to talk about tithes but he never did! He spoke a lot on giving and as a matter of fact giving is mentioned 176 times in the New Testament- nothing on tithes.

It should be noted that most churches repay their debts according to contract. So the discussion is not whether a church can repay, because they must; it is whether churches should borrow even if they can repay. Borrowing is not prohibited in Scripture. It is discouraged.

Tithing has its roots in the Biblical tale of Abraham presenting a tenth of the war spoils to Melchizedek, the king of Salem. In the Old Testament, Jews brought 10% of their harvest to a storehouse as a welfare plan for the needy or in case of famine.

While you can't give money you don't have, it's possible to do your part to save the world even with, say, thousands of dollars in student loan debt. You're financially ready to give if you are: Earning more money than you spend. Paying at least the minimum on your debts, on time, every time.

Jesus was not discouraging the practice of giving. He was reminding religious leaders that giving was about more than just money.

He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you.

Tithes qualify as a deduction, according to IRS rules. The taxpayer must claim charitable contributions as itemized deductions using Schedule A of IRS Form 1040. There is an annual limit on the charitable cash contributions a taxpayer can make to their church in the form of monthly or annual tithes.