What is tithing?
Tithing is a biblical law that dates as far back as the days of the Savior, Jesus Christ, when walked upon this earth. It has long since been taught that paying a tithe into the church of God that you would be blessed for your sacrifices:
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”
Malachi 3:10
How much is tithing?
The amount that is paid for tithing is typically indicated through your religious beliefs and church leaders. This could vary widely from congregation to congregation, but at the end of the day, tithing is paid under the pretense that needed blessings come into the life of the payer.
How do churches use tithing money?
Every church that encourages tithing donations of its members might have different ideas of how that money should be used. Some churches might use it to pay Pastors and Preachers while others might use it to fund church programs and so forth. Some denominations will even use such tithing money to help those who are less fortunate and could use the extra help in times of devastation and unexpected hardship.
Should I pay tithing if I’m trying to get out of debt?
Like most christians, I believe in paying a tithe to my church as a symbol of giving back to God a portion of all that I have (with the hope of receiving more blessings than I know what to do with), and in turn allow the church to bless the lives of those who are in more need than I.
For me, paying tithing has always come with some spiritual or temporal blessing in return. Some are more easily recognized and others are what could be considered, “unanswered prayers.” I donate 10% of my net income every month to the tithing fund of my church and, let me tell you, that sort of money adds up. Especially when you’re creating a plan to get out of debt and doing all you can to find extra money in your budget. Tithing is not required. In fact, it’s purely optional and would be easier for me to stop paying it, then to pay it.
However, even though getting out of debt requires a lot of sacrifices, it doesn’t mean that my life has left me without food, a roof over my head, or a car to get to and from work. Even though there were times that life felt like it was in the gutter… it wasn’t. I knew there were people in far worse situations than I was in and that if I was unwilling to extend a helping hand in some way, then who am I to think that I might have a helping hand extended to me.
If it’s not tithing, let it be some other charitable cause.
You might choose to not pay tithing for whatever reason. And that is totally fine! I’m not here to encourage that.
What I am encouraging is that even though you’re trying to get out of debt, find some charitable organization you can donate to. Every little bit helps for those who are desperately in need and more importantly, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to think less of your situation and a little bit more about those who would give probably anything to have your problems and financial situation.
