Part 5: Do I Need to Give When I’m in Debt?
This is one of the most common questions I hear when people begin exploring Biblical financial principles. And let’s be honest—it's a deep one. If you're currently carrying debt, especially if it feels crushing or shame-inducing, you might be wondering:
"Should I be giving right now? Or should every penny go toward paying off what I owe?"
I want to walk gently with you through this—not to hand you a yes-or-no answer, but to help you search Scripture and sit with the Lord in it. Because the truth is, the Bible doesn't give us a cut-and-dry rule here. But it does give us context, history, wisdom, and grace.
First, a quick recap:
In Part 3, we explored how giving 10% can be a helpful starting point—but that doesn't mean it's the right starting point for everyone.
If you're in a season of financial strain or crisis, the most faithful first step might simply be pausing to breathe, pray, and ask God what integrity and generosity looks like for you right now.
He’s not after a number—He’s after your heart.
In Part 1 we talked about how in the Old Covenant system only certain types of "income" were tithed. Specifically, crops and livestock from the land God had given them in Canaan. Fishermen didn’t tithe their fish. Potters didn’t tithe their pottery. If you were a tradesman or merchant, the Law didn’t require you to give a tenth of your increase (aka profits) from that trade.
That might seem like some sort of a 'loophole" -but it wasn’t. While the tithe law applied only to the land and animals, the call to generosity was for everyone.
God’s heart wasn’t just after a percentage—it was after His people living with open hands and loving hearts.
“If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Rather, be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs.”
—Deuteronomy 15:7–8
This wasn’t a landowner's instruction. This was a people instruction. It applied to craftsmen, traders, and anyone who had enough to meet someone else’s need. God was cultivating a culture of generosity—not just from the land, but from the heart.
That’s why Proverbs teaches:
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” —Proverbs 11:24–25
Again, no mention of fields or flocks here—just people. All kinds of people. Generosity was a priority to God.
So What About the Israelites in Debt?
Scholars agree that every time debt is mentioned in the Bible it was tied to poverty. A family didn’t go into debt because they financed too many luxuries—they went into debt because they couldn’t survive.
Their crops may have failed.
A famine.
A medical crisis.
A death in the family.
Or yes—even mismanagement.
The Bible doesn’t list out every reason someone fell into debt in Israel—but it does show us God’s response:
Mercy. Not shame.
God never said,
“You mismanaged what I gave you, so now you’d better tithe your way back into My favor.”
That’s not the gospel.
His mercy isn’t for sale,
and His kindness doesn’t vanish when we stumble.
It meets us right in the middle of our mess.
I want you to hear this loud and clear:
Their lack of tithing didn’t disqualify them from God’s compassion or love—even if the poverty that caused them to lose their land was partly (or fully!) their own fault.
Do you see what I'm trying to get across?
There may be consequences to our choices—but that never cancels God’s compassion and love.
He corrects,
not condemns.
He restores,
not rejects.
Our Comparison to Ancient Israel is Complicated
Unlike ancient Israel, we usually do have income, housing, and access to food—even if things are tight. And on top of that, how do we know whether to compare our income to that of a landowner or tradesman? … It’s just an incredibly complicated comparison to attempt to make.
That’s why this question—“What does the Bible say about giving when I’m in debt?”—doesn’t really have a clear answer. It requires prayer, discernment, and integrity.
Because sometimes, “I don’t have enough to be able to give” really means something deeper:
“I’m afraid of what I might have to let go of.”
“I’m overwhelmed and unsure where to begin.”
“I want to give, but I just don’t see how.”
There’s a meaningful difference between truly not having enough—and not having margin because of lifestyle choices, fear, or financial overwhelm. And that difference matters.
Let’s come before the Lord with these prayerful, probing questions—not to heap shame, but to invite His wisdom and kindness into the conversation:
1. Lord, am I truly unable to meet my basic needs—like food, housing, and essential utilities, or am I holding on to a lifestyle that no longer fits this season?
In ancient Israel, debt was tied to survival. People weren’t financing extra luxuries—they were trying to eat. This question invites us to distinguish between true scarcity and stretched margins. If you’re barely affording groceries and rent, this may be a time to pause giving without guilt and instead receive care, support, and wise counsel. But if the real issue is a bloated budget, the Lord may be inviting you into deeper alignment and simpler living.
2. Has generosity been part of my financial rhythm—or has it quietly slipped into the background?
This isn’t about condemnation. It’s an invitation to ask: “Lord, what does faithfulness look like right now?” Sometimes, that means continuing to give—perhaps at a reduced level—but still letting generosity shape your posture. Other times, it may mean temporarily stepping back from regular structured giving as an act of obedience, not out of fear. While keeping a heart of generosity and openhandedness.
3. Am I looking at my giving as the main place to ease my financial strain—or have I invited You, Lord, to speak into all of it?
Debt can stir panic. And in panic, we often fixate on what feels easiest to cut—like giving. But what if God wants to speak to the whole picture? What if there are spending habits, subscriptions, or patterns that He wants to gently recalibrate? Before assuming generosity has to go, ask Him to lead you with His shepherd’s heart—not a harsh voice, but a guiding one.
If you’re in a season where giving truly isn’t possible—where survival is the focus—there is no shame. Giving is never meant to be forced; it’s meant to flow from freedom. And sometimes, obedience looks like receiving help, seeking wise counsel, or simply keeping a soft heart while you rebuild.
But if your heart longs to give and you can—even just a little—ask God to show you what that could look like. A reduced amount. A small, consistent step of trust. He sees it all, and He delights in a heart that’s willing.
Ok before I pray over you and close this series out, I realize, if you are at all like me you still have questions! If you do, I put together what I thought would be some of the most likely questions that would come up —because I was asking them too at one point!) If not, that’s totally ok! Feel free to just jump over them and allow me to pray over you before you leave! :)
FAQ
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FAQ -
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Does Tithing Bring God’s Blessing?
Many believers—maybe even you—have noticed that tithing often seems to coincide with experiencing God’s blessings.
Why is that?
First, I feel it’s important to point out that it’s dangerous to build our theology on experience alone—Scripture, not circumstance, is our steady and trustworthy guide.Scripture never presents giving 10% to our local church as a guarantee of financial blessing.
With that said we must also say that the Bible clearly points out that God does promise to reward generosity (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6).However, He never promises those rewards will be material or immediate.
Not every generous person ends up wealthy—and that alone tells us God’s rewards aren’t always earthly.
But we can give joyfully, knowing that our generosity is never wasted. God sees every act of faith, and we can look forward with hope to the treasures He’s storing up for us in eternity.
Think about the widow who gave her last two coins (Mark 12:41–44). Jesus praised her generosity—but there’s no record that she walked home to a miracle harvest or a surprise inheritance. Or consider the underground church around the world today—many believers give sacrificially while living in deep poverty and under persecution. Their reward isn’t a bigger house or safer life—it’s eternal treasure and the smile of their Savior.
A couple things to logically consider outside of what the Bible tells us:
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that people who commit to regular giving often make better financial decisions, build assets more effectively, and manage money with greater intentionality. Researchers call this “mental budgeting”—the idea that setting money aside for a specific purpose (like tithing) increases self-control and reduces impulsive spending.
Under U.S. bankruptcy law (specifically Chapter 13), debtors are legally allowed to allocate up to 15% of their gross annual income for religious or charitable giving. That kind of clause doesn’t just appear by accident—it was added in 1998, twenty years after the modern bankruptcy code was written, through the Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act. Why? Because enough people walking through financial crisis still insisted on tithing, viewing it as a matter of faith and obedience to God. Lawmakers recognized this persistent conviction and carved out legal space to protect it.
And that fact alone speaks volumes. If tithing always guaranteed financial blessing, why would so many faithful givers end up in bankruptcy court to begin with? Why would a law need to be written to defend their right to keep giving during financial collapse? This legal protection doesn’t undermine the value of generosity—it simply reminds us that giving isn’t a magical formula for earthly prosperity.
So, is there a “blessing” in tithing?
I would conclude that there’s no formula, but there is certainly fruit in regular giving that we shouldn’t ignore!
A lifestyle of consistent giving shapes our hearts, our habits, and often, our outcomes. Not because 10% is what we need to give to make it on God’s “nice list” —but because surrendering what we have to God makes room for wisdom, freedom, and joy. —And because we know our Good Father delights to bless our obedience (which to be clear is not necessarily giving 10% to church!)
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The New Testament doesn’t show Christians tithing in the same way Israel did under the Law. Instead, it emphasizes voluntary, Spirit-led giving—especially for the poor and for ministry support. In fact, the earliest church fathers (like Irenaeus and Justin Martyr) didn’t teach tithing as a mandate.
It wasn’t until centuries later, particularly in medieval Europe, that the institutional church adopted the tithe more formally—often as a state tax, not just a spiritual practice. In England, for instance, tithing became law under Alfred the Great and later became entangled with political power. So when we talk about “church tithing in history”… it gets VERY messy, because of how it was weaponized by politics.
The New Covenant model of giving is radically free: generous, cheerful, sacrificial, and full of love. And when people experience that kind of giving, it doesn’t shrink—it overflows.
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It’s a fair question—especially if you’ve heard warnings like, “If we don’t all tithe, the lights will go off!” But let’s zoom out a bit.
Current data shows that only about 5% of churchgoers consistently give 10% of their income—and yet, many churches are still functioning, ministering, and even thriving. Most people that do give, give closer to 2% on average. Despite this, churches remain afloat due to:
Diverse Giving Levels (some give more than 10%, some less)
Alternative Revenue Streams (like event rentals or grants)
Cost Management (churches adjust budgets based on actual giving)
Does that mean giving isn’t important? Not at all. But it does mean that God’s provision for His Church doesn’t hinge on a legalistic 10% rule. The Church is sustained by grace, generosity, and wisdom—not pressure.
Our call is not to “keep the lights on,” but to respond to the light we’ve been given in Christ. When we give as the Spirit leads, we become part of the Church’s mission, not just its maintenance.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all number in the New Testament. Instead, we’re invited into a relationship with God that includes discernment, faith, and joyful generosity. Paul gives us a glimpse in 2 Corinthians 9:7:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
So instead of asking, “How much is enough?” a better question might be, “Lord, how can I reflect Your generosity in this season?” For some, that might look like using the model we see in the OT of 10% or 23% or more. For others, it may start smaller but come from a deeply trusting heart. The goal isn’t to hit a benchmark—it’s to walk in step with the Spirit and use your resources to love God and others.
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The Bible doesn’t give a direct rule here—just wisdom.
Maybe. Or maybe not yet.
What’s most important is your heart posture. Giving should never be driven by fear, guilt, or legalism. If your debt is overwhelming, start by giving your heart to the Lord and letting Him reshape your view of money. You might give a small, prayerful gift—even just $5/month—not because He needs it, but to keep your hands open and your trust growing. -
That’s a beautiful and honest question. Yes—God does love a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). But He also knows our hearts don’t always start there. And guess what? That’s okay. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Notice He doesn’t say, “Where your heart is, your treasure will follow.” He flips the order—because our hearts often follow our actions.
That means we can lead our hearts toward joy through obedience. When we step out in faith—even if it feels hard, awkward, or costly—joy often follows. We see this pattern in all of discipleship: we don’t wait until we feel like forgiving someone to obey God’s call to forgive. We do it, and often, our emotions catch up. The same goes for generosity.
So if your giving feels stiff at first, don’t be discouraged. Keep walking in obedience. Cheerfulness grows in the soil of trust
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This is such a common—and important—question. The short answer? No, your giving doesn’t have to go entirely to your local church. But it is good, biblical, and wise to give to it—especially if it's where you’re being spiritually fed.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites gave their tithes to the Levites—not because the Levites were missionaries, but because they were teachers of God's Word. They lived among the people and helped them follow God (see Deuteronomy 33:10). Their role was spiritual leadership and discipleship, much like pastors and teachers today.
This principle carries into the New Testament as well. Paul says, “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). And again in Galatians 6:6: “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” He’s describing a joyful reciprocity—those who pour into your soul should be supported by your generosity.
So if your local church is your spiritual home—if it’s where you’re being discipled, encouraged, challenged, and comforted—then it makes so much sense for at least part of your giving to go there.
But Scripture also gives us freedom. It never mandates only giving to the church. We also see believers supporting the poor (Acts 11:29), traveling missionaries (Philippians 4:15–16), and fellow Christians in need (Romans 15:26).
So here’s a good guiding question: “Who is helping me and others grow closer to Jesus?” That could include your church, a campus ministry, a global mission, or even a local nonprofit that walks with the vulnerable in Jesus’ name.
Generosity isn't about checking a box—it’s about participating in the Kingdom. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Ask Him: “Lord, where are You already at work—and how can I join You with what I’ve been given?”
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This question reveals how deeply we crave clarity—but also how much we want to please God. That’s beautiful. But generosity isn’t about meeting a quota—it’s about trusting that everything you have belongs to Him and asking how He wants to use it through you.
Jesus praised the widow who gave two small coins (Mark 12:41–44), not because of the amount, but because of the heart behind it. So instead of measuring generosity by percentages, we might ask:
Am I trusting God with my finances?
Am I growing in love through my giving?
Am I surrendered and willing, even if the number doesn’t feel impressive?
You don’t need to be afraid of getting it wrong. God is not keeping score—He’s building trust.
Being in this hard financial season affects SO MUCH more than just our bank accounts. So, as I close this email and this tithing series, I want to thank you for your heartfelt desire to know more about this important subject and pray over your financial journey as you go on from here.
Father,
Thank You for being near to the brokenhearted and gentle with the weary. You see every burden we carry—financial, emotional, spiritual—and You don’t look away. You draw close.
For the one reading this who feels overwhelmed by debt or weighed down by regret, would You remind them that Your compassion is not conditional.
That You are not standing with crossed arms, but with open ones.
That Your mercy reaches into every mess,
even the ones we made ourselves.
Teach us how to walk in wisdom.
Show us where to simplify,
where to surrender,
and where to trust.
Help us not to make giving a performance or a pressure, but an invitation to partner with You—at whatever pace You’re calling us to.
Shape our hearts into generous ones, Lord. Not because we’re trying to earn anything, but because we’ve seen how generous You are.
We don’t want to be ruled by fear, shame, or scarcity. We want to be led by You.
Give us courage to ask the hard questions.
Give us integrity to face what’s true.
And give us grace, again and again, to live like Your beloved children—because that’s exactly who we are.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
