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How to Tithe on a Budget

The word tithe might actually get a groan out of you...and your wallet too if you are living on a fairly tight budget. While everyone could sit and think of ways to spend their money rather than on tithe, tithing is important. It is the means by which churches and ministries are funded. Beyond that, tithing is a way to live in obedience to God. However, you do not have to tithe. God certainly can do his work without a person's money. It is a personal choice, a conviction between a person and God. If you want to tithe, the dilemma enters when you are in a position of having to decide to tithe or to pay your debts, both of which we are told by God to do. Honoring God by tithing while on a budget is possible...and highly blessed. And there are ways to tithe on a budget that are not as painful as you might think.


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    Give what you can. It is the person with the least, whose sacrifice to give is greater, whose tithe means the most to God. Mark 12:41-44 tells how people who had money tithed the amount they were supposed to tithe, which ended up being a lot of money. When it came time for a poor widow to tithe, she put in 2 little pennies. Jesus declared her offering of higher value because she gave all she had.
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    Set aside your tithe first. Tithe is not meant to come from what is left over. God's instructions are to give the first fruits of our labor. Which is better, to be served a plate of steaming, hot food, right off the grill or to be handed a plate of the same food, cold, picked apart and half-eaten? His people are to want to give to Him. Being on a tight budget, you are in the perfect position to see God's blessings from obedience. Malachi 3:10 says that tithing to God first will result in great blessing. A point He must want His people to understand, God repeats it again in Proverbs 3:9-10.
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    Find joy in the ability to bless others in God's name. According to 2 Corinthians 8:11-12, God is more concerned with obedience and attitude than He is about how much money is being put in the plate. Do not feel bad about what you can or can not give. And do not let others make you feel bad either. God cares about your obedience and motivation, not your bank account.
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    Do not wait to tithe. If you put off tithing, you will spend that money in other ways. If you wait to give until you can afford it, you might get stuck in a routine of not tithing. Keep it a priority--not out of duty, but of wanting to do what God desires of you.
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    Think of other ways to tithe. In early biblical times, people gave offerings of their produce and livestock. They gave what they had to give. Instead of focusing on your finances right now, which can leave you feeling defeated, give what you have to give. Tithe your time. Tithe your talents and abilities. Volunteer to take care of something the church or community needs to have done. Make something. Fix something. Help someone. Donate things. See a need and take care of it.
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    Let it hurt a little. An offering is supposed to be a sacrifice. God's offering was a huge sacrifice--He gave his only son. Tithing is not that demanding of us. However, think back to those early biblical families that gave their first fruits. The first fruits were the best and most cherished of the gathering, a commodity that they surely would have rather kept to themselves, but they gave it to God instead.
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    Reduce luxuries and give that money to tithe. While you are on a tight budget, look for ways to give instead of reasons not to give. Can you sell anything you do not need anymore? Evaluate your television or phone service to see if you are paying for services that you don't use. Are there unnecessary items you can trim off your grocery list, or opt for generic or sale items instead? Could you pick up some side work somewhere? Get the family involved in the effort by collecting cans to turn in for tithe money.

Community Q&A

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  • I am ready to be obedient in my tithing, my check is $446. My tithe for the month would be $300, leaving me with $146, and the mortgage has not been paid yet. What do I do?
    wikiHow Contributor
    You do not have to tithe that much. 10% is enough. Everyone is different in what they can afford, God knows this and he would not want you to give more than you are able.
  • I have a job, but it seems like I have more bills than money! I am trying hard to get my bills in order so I can give God what is due Him, any advice?
    wikiHow Contributor
    There are several verses in the Bible to support tithing; however, not all of them say that you have to give 10% of your income. They say to cheerfully give what you think is best, for God loves a cheerful giver. But keep in mind that tithing is not always money. Think of how you could best serve God and the people in your church, and give to God that way. Maybe volunteering to clean after the service, cooking, or picking up items needed for the church.
  • I'm on a second marriage and we have separate incomes. My husband does not tithe and I do. Should I tithe his 10th and mine out of my income?
    Him tithing is up to him, you don't have to tithe his 10% in addition to yours.
  • I am retired and do not work, therefore I have no income. I receive retirement benefits and disability. I was told I didn't need to tithe since I do not have work income. Is that true?
    wikiHow Contributor
    You can tithe with other things besides money. For example, you can dedicate every 10th day to volunteering for the church.
  • Do I tithe on income before or after taxes?
    Tithing is something of great debate, as we are no longer under the 'law' any more, but of Grace. I would say, what can you afford to tithe from? What is the motives of your tithe? By no means does the Creator wants you to tithe and go hungry. Alternatively we are called not to store up our treasures here on earth. So what is the balance for you? What is He calling you to give?
  • How much do I need to give on my tithes?
    wikiHow Contributor
    It varies from church to church and country to country. In Denmark the Catholic church tends to expect at least 1% of your income. On a monthly income of $145, I give $7.5.
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