The following is a question a reader emailed to me:
How do you balance good stewardship and putting God first – or is there a difference?
Let’s say you have gotten into a lot of debt, learned a lot of hard lessons and are doing everything possible to improve your financial situation. You have worked diligently to cut expenses wherever possible and have come up with a budget, including a certain amount to give. As a result of debt, your budget is so tight that there is not much money, if any, left over after giving, debt, living expenses, etc.
What would you say is being a better steward of the money God gave you? (Understanding that poor stewardship may have put you in the current financial situation, but looking forward with determination, dedication, a proper focus and the understanding that less debt does not mean more spending power.)
1) Pay the amount of tithe you determined appropriate (10%, etc), even if it means making close to minimum payments on bad debt. God should be the first line in your budget, but also could mean wasting thousands of dollars towards interest. Is this good stewardship?
Or
2) Lowering the amount of giving in order to create an opportunity to pay off debt more quickly. This could result in saving thousands of dollars of interest, but lowers the priority of giving back to God first. Are you robbing God?
Here are a few of my initial reactions and responses:
First, I think God is honored by the heart with which you ask these questions. Your question seeks to determine how your relationship with God impacts your finances. For a person who says they were formerly a ‘poor steward,’ you are showing a healthy spiritual disposition of inquiry. I believe God is honored by your conscientious consideration as you seek to find what pleases him.
Second, the severity of your debt may (or may not) impact your individual situation.
My response:
I believe tithing is not just a monetary practice (like paying a bill), but it is a spiritual act. Therefore, when we neglect spiritual activities it impacts our relationship with God. Giving releases us from the heavy grip of money. Tithing is a spiritual activity that vividly reenacts the reality that God is the owner over all things. When you stop tithing you miss out on these spiritual blessings.
There is not a single situation in the Bible (that I am aware of) where someone was too poor to tithe. There are, however, situations where those who were financially struggling gave. Here are three such examples:
- The Widow at Zerephath (1 Kings 17:7-24). Out of the thousands of people God could have sent Elijah to, he sent Elijah to a woman who was collecting wood to cook her last supper. God asked the woman to act in faith because God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
- The Widow with two coins (Luke 21:1-4). Continuing the theme of the widow’s generosity, here Jesus commends this woman’s action. Surely, many of us would condemn it as poor stewardship, but Jesus speaks positively of her actions.
- The Macedonian Christians (2 Cor. 8:1-7). Once again, we see this theme of commending those who give even in the midst of their poverty. Again, the overall impression is that this is a positive – not a negative act.
Perhaps the story of the woman who anointed Jesus would be a positive illustration for us (John 13:1-7). Here the woman’s action does not make sense to those with Jesus. The extravagance of her gift violates common sense and mathematical sense. In fact, one of their underlying accusations was that she was a poor steward. The money would have better been used for the poor. Jesus explains anything done in an effort to honor him cannot not be construed as poor stewardship. In other words, if you tithe while in debt and your tithe is a gift out of love for Christ, you need not worry that you are being a poor steward. In fact, Jesus would congratulate you for being a good steward.
Withholding a tithe may be a spiritually unhealthy statement about God’s inability to provide. Personally, I would rather have a longer journey out of debt while enjoying the blessings of giving. Furthermore, I only find one scriptural reason to stop tithing – when tithing has become a burden, not a blessing, and you give out of obligation instead of joy (2 Cor. 9:7). If you are currently in this situation, wrestle in prayer with God, study the scriptures, and trust him to show you the right pathway.
If a person did decide to postpone tithing I would suggest implementing the following guidelines:
- I would suggest you sit down with a respected leader in your church. Discuss your considerations openly. This will first provide you some feedback, and second it will provide you with some accountability.
- It must be done with the belief that this action is both pleasing to God and honoring to your family. Do not stop tithing if greed or selfishness is your motivation.
- It must be for a short predetermined period of time. Remind yourself that you are not forming a new habit, but instead temporarily accepting a little lack of equilibrium with the desire to get back into a normal habit of giving.
- Be sure you know exactly why you went into debt. Otherwise, you will likely forgo tithing and end up further into debt.
- Be sure you are following a plan to get out of debt. Don’t just quit tithing with a hope that one day you will be out of debt and able to tithe again. Have a detailed game plan. Otherwise you will never get out of debt and subsequently probably never resume your tithing.
To be clear, I do not suggest you stop tithing while you are trying to get out of debt. But if you choose not to accept this advice, you need to be sure the proper boundaries are in place so that you can return as quickly as possible to practicing this spiritual discipline.
Anyone agree or even disagree? Anyone have any other thoughts or ideas for this reader? Any other biblical stories that you think would provide some biblical insight into how we should answer this question?
More Great Articles:
- Graduated Tithe: A Giving Strategy
- Five Things For Young People – Here is #6: Develop a Giving Heart
- Proportionate Giving
- What I Learned From Trying To Give Away Free Tickets To AstroWorld: A Giving Effort that Backfired
- Christian Giving: Seeking A Healthy View of Giving and Tithing
- Christian Giving, Christian Tithing & Other Giving Strategies
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Firstfruits are never the same as tithes in the Bible. Tithes were always only food from inside Israel and no tithes came from carpenters, fishermen or tentmakers. Firstfruits were only very small token offerings per Deu 26:1-4 and Neh 10:35-38.
God does not ask for our first tenth. He asks the Church to give freewill, generous, sacrificial, joyful offerings as he decides in his heart as motivated by the Holy Spirit. That may mean more than 10% for many and less for others.
According to 1st Timothy 5:8 the first should go to buy medicine and essential food and shelter. God does not cruelly ask for our first when we need the first for essentials.
Your definition of tithing is man-made and is not biblical. God does not honor those who change the defintion of words as used in His Word.
LIE: There is not a single situation in the Bible (that I am aware of) where someone was too poor to tithe.
The only persons who qualified as tithe-payers were farmes inside Israel. Jesus, Peter and Paul could not tithe and neither could the poor nor those who lived outside Israel. The poor widow gave a sacrificial freewill offering and ot a tithe.
The Widow at Zerephath (1 Kings 17:7-24).
The Bible does not say that this widow paid any tithes.
The Widow with two coins (Luke 21:1-4 ). This is a discussion of generous sacrificila giving and not tithing.
The Macedonian Christians (2 Cor. 8:1-7).
More examples of freewill sacrificial giving in the spirit of the New Covenant. No mention is made of using the funds for church clergy or buildings.
“Withholding a tithe may be a spiritually unhealthy statement about God’s inability to provide.” No Bible texts to verify.
The test of Malachi 3:10 is a test of the whole law. Obey ALL to be blessed; break ONE to be cursed. This is in the context of Neh 10:28-29 and Malachi 4:4. Galatians 3:10-13 clearly replaces Malachi 3:10-12 for Hebrews especially.
I find many scriptural reasons to stop tithing
(1) The temple changed, (2) the priesthood changed, (3) the covenant changed, (4) the Levitical cities ended, (4) there are no more Levites and Aaronic priessts, (5) the Church is not called a storehouse, (6) preachers do not forfeit property ownership, (7) preachers do not kill others attempting to worship God as in Numbers 18 and (8) Hebrews 7:18 clearly annuls tithing from 7:5 and 7:12.
I invie you to enter into a detailed dialog with me on my Yahoo Tithing-Group.
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com
@Russell I can tell you are obviously passionate about your beliefs.
The concern you express regarding my post, I believe is merely semantics. The majority of Christians use the word tithe to describe a gift given to God
while I would be the first to admit that is not the technical definition it is the functional usage by Christians. The common usage of tithe is a gift given to God.
I suspect if you asked the majority of Christians what is a ” freewill, generous, sacrificial, joyful offering” most would say that is a tithe.
“The Widow with two coins (Luke 21:1-4 ). This is a discussion of generous sacrificila giving and not tithing.” Here would be another place where semantics is the issue not theology.I believe most Americans would call “generous sacfifical giving” tithing. This is the function usage.
You claim that the following statement is a lie, “There is not a single situation in the Bible (that I am aware of) where someone was too poor to tithe.”
Notice specifically that I made the statement in humility acknowledging I am not infallible – hence the statement that “I am aware of”. I am unsure how that
statement can be a lie.
Again, if you were to substitute the word tithe for give we would likely be in agreement.
Perhaps we could test the semantic issue by asking the question: Are there any scriptural reasons to stop giving?
Is this a Jehovah Witness site? I notice the “Tithing is Unscriptural site llooked like one.
Rick
Nope.
Hey Craig,
Thank you for allowing God to work through you. God bless!
Benjamin
Benjamin,
Thanks for your encouraging words.
I trust the teachings of the late Larry Burkett on this issue. So here is my .02 cents worth…
Malachi 3:10 says bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. Not some of it, or 2% of it. Bring a tithe. A tithe is 10%. It does not say anything about giving for a little while then stopping. Or here are the reasons you can stop.
Malachi 3:8 says: Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
“In tithes and offerings.
hi Craig,
I believe in the power of trusting God, which is what tithing is all about.
Let me begin by saying that I’m not as well versed in the theological debate about tithing as others who have left their comments. However, i can attest to God’s grace that has been poured out on me as a direct result of a heart-felt commitment to tithing. the question is whether we really trust our Lord to provide for us, lilies of the field and all that.
Two weeks ago, i went to give a private class ( i was counting on the money to be able to eat that week) and it turned out that for some reason my students were late and the woman who answered the door told me that they had gone out and wouldn’t return til late that night. Well, at first on my way home on the bus i began to worry and fret, but then the Lord gave me the word about the battle is the Lord’s and immediately a peace came over my heart, so i said well, let’s see my God’s powerful hand move. Before i even got to my house, as i was walking home, a friend at a small neighborhood business said “Kimberly, could u do a book translation?”. The Lord blessed me with even more than i would have gotten if i had given the class !!! Praise Jesus. hallelujah. So tithing is all about our trusting the creator of the universe to do such a little thing as taking care of us, His children.
good info
@Kimberly
You’re right that trusting God is an important part of giving.
I have always trusted in the Lord, paying my tithes first, and he has always provided. Thanks Craig for you site
Dan,
Thanks for you comment and thanks for you kind words. It is encouraging to hear that God has alwasy provided.
I tithed for 30 years and I can honestly say, it did not work. I no longer tithe because it was given only to the Levites in the OT. There are no Levites today. A tithe has always been and shall always be food/eatable/crops, wine oil, cattle and grain items from inside Isreal. Any man who changes the the tithe from food items to money is changing the Word of God, which God specifically prohibits. Do not add to or change the Word to construct a money gathering system. Doing so will bring a curse from God. Many people in the OT were not farmers and God did not require them to tithe. They gave freewill offerings of money. For example, In Exodus, the temple was not built with the tithe, God asked every Israilite to bring a freewill offering and they brought so much Moses had to ask them to stop giving. Money was plentiful in the Old Testament. In fact Abraham was rich in silver and gold but God never commanded any Israelite to tithe money. Money was simply not titheable in the OT. I now give by grace as Paul taught in the NT. Paul could not accept tithes because he was not a Levite but a tent maker. Jesus did not tithe because he was a carpenter. They gave their required money to support the temple like to Torah asked every male over 2o years old to do.
Of course, if a person of their free will decides to give a percentage of any range from their income to the work of the Lord then of course that is their decision based on Grace and not out of fear of a curse ripped from a biblical text and given new meaning. But as soon as giving is called a tithe that’s mandated, forced, or becomes a requirement based on Malachi chapter three or Matthew chapter 23 or some other dubious implied command from the Bible, it represents poor hermeneutics and sloppy exegesis. Tithe teachers who hold Malachi 3 to the heads of God’s people like a 357 magnum and pull the trigger with a curse upon them have committed the greatest betrayal of GRACE and the work of Christ on the cross that almost rivals Judas’ betrayal of Christ with a kiss.
@Dr. Frank Chase
I’m interested by what you mean that tithing did not work? Do you mean it didn’t change your heart? It didn’t help you become more generous? It didn’t contribute anything of value to God’s kingdom?
I describe tithing/giving as a spiritual action where one is transformed by this selfless act. Giving is a way we combat the love of money. By giving we free ourselves from the clutches of money.
I’m coming to find that I must come from a strange Christian background. In my neck of the woods giving and tithing are used interchangeably. However, I’m finding that for some these two words are on opposite ends of the spectrum. I use them interchangeably in my title – Giving/Tithing. If this post was called Giving While in Debt would you feel any differently about it?
In this article http://www.moneyhelpforchristians.com/christian-giving-seeking-a-healthy-view-of-giving-and-tithing/ I share why I’m uncomfortable with the idea that people should only give when they feel like it. This is because I think giving is a spiritual act. Spiritual acts that are governed by our feelings can be unhealthy.
In this post I do not feel as though I berate or criticize anyone who does not give a 10th. In fact, I am a proponent of proportionate giving (http://www.moneyhelpforchristians.com/proportionate-giving/) and strongly disagree with some of the common ways people talk about the tithe as a type of tax or mandatory payment.
Did you think that this post called for a kind of giving that is mandated or forced? I’m wondering if your response was directed at what others have said about tithing not what I wrote about in this post. Could you please show me places where I ‘give the text new meaning?’, mandate or force the tithe, use Malachi 3 over the heads of God’s people? I get that you have an issue with the concept of the tithe, but it seems like most of your response is regarding general teachings about the tithe not the content of this post.
I am interested in knowing – how would you answer the question that I was asked in this post?
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
I guess this relates to the issue of being a good steward, but my issue with giving while in debt is, is it right to give away what is not yours?
Imagine, for instance, i have £10,000 debt on a credit card – is it right if i then decide to give what is essentially the credit card companies money to charity? Furthermore, is it a good witness to do so? Giving away what we don’t actually have could be seen as stealing by some.
Once you distinguish between the differences between tithing and giving then I can answer the question. You cannot interchange tithe and giving, they are two disctinst functions and contents.
@Frank
Thanks for your follow up comment. I’ll need to continue to learn and study because I do use them interchangeably, but perhaps I will need to evaluate things and land on a term to make things clearer.
@Joel
Yeah, I’ve thought about this. Since most people in the Western world are in debt for most of their lives if those who had debt were encouraged never to give there wouldn’t be any giving.
You do make a good point that is worth considering.
People are in debt because they are charging their giving to credit cards. Giving should be done with cash only.
I agree with Joel, that we are breaking the commandment of thou shalt not steal by not paying our debts. The bible does not say Thou shalt tithe. It does say bring all the tithes in that there will be food in my house.
Many that I know give hilariously while letting their car payment lapse.
So let your conscience be your guide. It’s harder for a hilarious giver to get serious with their debt, and I agree – being faithful in small things such as paying your bills, will lead you to be faithful in larger things, such as ministry. So take care of business God can bless you while you bless others by paying your bills. After all, the person to whom you owe money, cannot pay give to the Lord if you haven’t paid for the work they did, or the product you purchased. This discussion is healthy.
The problem with using the term tithing when meaning giving is that the church teaches The Lord’s Tithe (their twisted and re-written version of Leviticus 27:30-33) and includes Malachi 3:8-10 regarding robbing God. When most church goers hear the word “tithe,” they associate it with The Lord’s Tithe. Giving is NOT tithing and thus the word tithe should NEVER be used when referring to free-will giving.
It seems the only time I hear the word stewardship in church is when talking about the tithe. The truth is, stewardship on 100% of one’s income (and time, etc.) should be the concern. If Christians were properly taught good stewardship, which includes praying and asking for guidance BEFORE any major purchase, they might not be so far in debt.
I personally teach that debts should be paid BEFORE any giving. Let me clarify. I am not saying your house and car need to paid off in full before you give, but definitely all monthly expenses should be paid before giving. The monthly house payment and car payment should be paid BEFORE there is any giving. To do otherwise is being a POOR STEWARD OF GOD’S MONEY. Fact is, we would all be better off if we paid cash for everything, including our house and car. The tens of thousands of dollars we would save in interest could be used to help others. A good steward would be able to SAVE the money and pay cash.
In the New Testament, Jesus said that when you give to the needy/poor you are giving to Him. At no time did Jesus say when you give to the church you are giving to Him. MOST of what is given to a church goes for the building, utilities, salaries, etc. Very little goes to help the poor. I do believe that those who attend church should financially support the church, but don’t think that giving is giving to God because it isn’t.
Gary
.
Thanks for your comment. Thanks for encouraging me to put my thinking cap on
The semantics are difficult here. There really is no way to know what a person thinks when they hear the word tithe – unless we ask them. I come from a non-denominational background and I’ve never heard the term The Lord’s Tithe (I just learned something). I’ll I’m saying is that how one defines a tithe is based on their own background and experience with the word tithe. I’ll admit that I am coming to find that people do abuse or misuse the word so I’m trying to be more cautious about how I use the word tithe – so that I don’t cause confusion.
I’ve noticed in the comments that we are starting to put ourselves in an awkward position. It seems as though two options exist. If you are in debt you can either (1) Give or (2) not give. What about the third option – sell whatever is keeping you in debt? I personally would rather do that than stop giving. It seems extremely greedy to me to say to God – I’ve got this “x” bill or payment so God your no longer at the top of my priority list.
I would gladly separate payments that are necessary for life from luxuries. I don’t think God is going to zap anyone for maintaining their humble house payment in lieu of giving. But, what about someone who has a $250,000 house and $25,000 car who can’t afford to give?
Wouldn’t it be spiritually healthier to sell the junk and give?
The problem is when people attach themselves to things and this becomes more important than participating in the grace of giving.
I wonder how clear of a distinction we can make between the poor and the church. The church is the body of Christ. I agree that too many dollars have been spent on ‘stuff’ to the neglect of the poor, but isn’t a contribution to a church is giving to God? Jesus said to Paul, “why do you persecute me?” The “me” in that case was the church. How we treat the church is a reflection (indirectly ?) on how we treat Jesus. Right?
The solution (it seems to me) is educating and encouraging church leaders to have a stronger heart for the poor.
Actually, the solution, for the future, is to educate the young while still in school.
You hit on a big problem. People live above their means and thus have little, if any, left to spend. IF people would pray before they buy that expensive house, car, or other item(s) maybe The Spirit would direct them to buy something they could easily afford.
I really don’t disagree with you that maybe some should sell their luxury items if they aren’t able to be a generous giver. It would seem to me that the giver-at-heart would live BELOW their means in order that they would have more left to give.
Too many Christians have missed the important stewardship teachings of the Bible and wind up slaves to their debtors. Church leaders aren’t helping the situation by continually asking for tithes and offerings. They should be teaching good stewardship habits which, unfortunately, few pastors seem to possess themselves.
@Craig,thanks for voicing out your concerns on the issue of giving and tithing.It is sad to note that you are giving an allowance to people who consider setting off their tithes for some time.You are actually giving them advice!!I’m not sure if God still wanted peolple to tithe and observe the tithe law,he would agree with you on sidestepping obeying his law for a few months!In any case,u say when Jesus said”Why do u persecute me”to Saul,he meant the church.That’s true,but your definition of the”church”seems to be at fault.The church meant the believers and basically if we give to the “church”it must be to each of those poor folk we attend services with who are struggling to make ends meet.That’s what they did in the book of Acts.My advice to you,read the Word.Focus on the truth and you will get to heaven.
Great discussion! It is one that is very needed at this time. @Gary and concerned citizen…very good points. It is true that tithing is preached and stewardship is rarely, if ever, preached. Being in debt is a kind of bondage. We should, at all times, give prayerfully, seeking the Lord first, and doing it cheerfully.
Back again, and enjoying the discussion, which in my case today, is timely. Our sermon today was on Malachi and the tithe. Our pastor is studious and careful, and presented a sermon that was balanced and freeing. He shared various tithes that we saw in the Bible – old testament before the law, old testament after the law. He shared about one-time tithes that Abraham did, and that was not even on his own stuff – it was on spoils – for Melchizedek. He talked about tithes for the Levites, for the poor, the widow, the orphan He talked about bringing tithes for festivals – if you could not carry it, sell it and bring money to buy food at the end of your journey to celebrate. He reminded us of freewill offerings such for the purpose of building the temple, and that they received so much they had to ask the people to stop – when have we had that situation in modern day….? In the end of it all, we come to the new testament, where we see the pharisees tithing and being proud and arrogant about it. The final conclusion we arrived at the end of the sermon : God no longer is demanding a tithe – we are His completely, not under the law, but under grace. God loves a cheerful giver – we can give whatever we choose and joyfully. If God is speaking to you to tithe, then do so. If he speaks to you to give offerings, do so. Don’t limit it to that. Everything we have is His when we are His, so don’t hang on to stuff too tightly. He will bless you when give beyond what you are able in certain circumstances. Again, the need to be LED by The SPIRIT. If you are sitting in a church that is wacking you over the head to give tithes, and offerings, and over and aboves, and above over and above, and the leadership is rich and fat, you should rethink WHERE you are giving. Don’t stop giving, just change where it goes. If there are people hungry in your church and widows and orphans in need, and the church is rich and fat, rethink your giving, but don’t stop giving. I am now free. Glory.
And, we don’t give tithes to earn anything by the way. We don’t get to heaven by giving tithes. Jesus paid it all. It is finished. Nothing we can – not by our own righteousness but according to HIS mercy, He saved us! Glory.
Giving comes out of a heart that is set free by knowing Jesus paid it all. Giving is an act of thankfulness, not an obligation or pain or requirement.
Legalism has no place in the life of believers. We can follow the truth and the Truth will set us free.
Hey everyone. Thanks for the great discussion.
@concerned christian
I agree that if God wanted people to tithe and that was a command if I said something different than God then that would be bad news. However, I do not believe the tithe is a law.
I certainly hope my journey to heaven will not be dependent on anything I do. And yes, I will continue to read the Word.
@Linda
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Every church denomination has very different teachings about giving, tithing,a nd stewardship. It is obvious by people’s responses what their local church teaches.
@Interested Reader
I completely agree that giving is not an action of justification – we don’t earn salvation by giving. However, I think Paul would agree that giving is an act of the sanctified (2 Cor. 8-10). Paul is not willynilly about giving. It’s not a do it if you want to approach to giving. Giving is important and it completes something in us as Christians. I have no problem encouraging people to give. I don’t think that is legalistic in any way.
@Frank Chase Jr.
I’ve been trying to see where the tithe and giving or “two distinct functions and contents”. I’m trying to figure out what that means. Could you please give me an example so that I can more fully explore this topic?
Craig,
Great blog. I’m really excited to see your spiritual and pragmatic approach to finances as well as the great personal finance tool reviews.
Our church doesn’t use tithing terminology but i definitely agree that most Christians would relate that term to giving to God. My thoughts over the last decade of life and ministry are that the tithe is the minimum we should consider in our offering to God. Greed, materialism, the worries of this life, and riches are dangerous devices used by satan to deceive Believers. I haven’t made a contribution to my Church in years but I make an offering to my God every time I have a financial blessing (income tax return, pay check, etc…).
Keep up the goog work.