Why tithing has not improved my finances

[dude99]

I have been an eager at tithing for at least 2 years at a Church I go to. I give at least 10% of the income I earn to the church. Yet for most of that time my financial situation has not improved and been constantly in debt. I currently getting deeper in debt as I just lost my job. Where is God? God says he will bless each giver and I heard that in Church. In addition due to my current financial situation I not able to afford to continue to give 10% of my income to the church.

Does any Christians experience no improvements in their debt levels even if they tithe?

 

[BornAgainBrian]

I have been an eager at tithing for at least 2 years at a Church I go to. I give at least 10% of the income I earn to the church. Yet for most of that time my financial situation has not improved and been constantly in debt. I currently getting deeper in debt as I just lost my job. Where is God? God says he will bless each giver and I heard that in Church. In addition due to my current financial situation I not able to afford to continue to give 10% of my income to the church.

Does any Christians experience no improvements in their debt levels even if they tithe?

My take is that we are to give cheerfully and not out of necessity. It seems that your circumstances make both of those difficult at best.

I'm of the camp that the 10% rule was a law of the old covenant and there is no curse for not meeting any prescribed number, nor is there any special blessing for meeting any prescribed number. The commonly quoted verse from Malachi was to a specific people (just read the whole context) and the tithe was for a specific purpose. The tithe under the law was even given only under specific circumstances like harvest and livestock. I challenge you to find a verse where fishermen are instructed to tithe their catch!

That said, I think 10% is a wonderful guideline with good Biblical base. I give based on that guideline myself. There have been times when I wasn't able. In those times, I never felt less of God or less blessed. I believe the fact that we give generously, by whatever honest measure that might be, and cheerfully, are the important things. We don't give so we can be blessed. We give because we have been blessed.

 

[aiki]

Why tithing has not improved my finances

I have been an eager at tithing for at least 2 years at a Church I go to. I give at least 10% of the income I earn to the church. Yet for most of that time my financial situation has not improved and been constantly in debt. I currently getting deeper in debt as I just lost my job. Where is God? God says he will bless each giver and I heard that in Church. In addition due to my current financial situation I not able to afford to continue to give 10% of my income to the church.

Does any Christians experience no improvements in their debt levels even if they tithe?

Tithing isn't a ritual that forces God to bless you financially. It is an acknowledgement of just whose money it is that you possess. It has been well said that tithing is not about how much of my money I give to God, but rather how much of God's money I will keep for myself. When you recognize that you are a steward of the money God gives you, which is what tithing helps you to remember, you may be more careful about how you use it. Of course, if tithing is just a money-grab, a way to oblige God to make you rich (as the wretched folk like Benny Hinn like to teach), the stewardship aspect of tithing is completely missed - and the benefit it can have on spending and saving.

Selah.

 

[Mister_Al]

Tithing was a command in the Old Testament Law. Those who were under the Law (Israel) were required to tithe to stay righteous before God. However, New Testament Christians are righteous before God through Jesus whether they tithe or not.

If you don't have anything to give then don't give.

II Corinthians 8:12-15 Amplified

12 For if the [eager] readiness to give is there, then it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

13 For it is not [intended] that other people be eased and relieved [of their responsibility] and you be burdened and suffer [unfairly],

14 But to have equality [share and share alike], your surplus over necessity at the present time going to meet their want and to equalize the difference created by it, so that [at some other time] their surplus in turn may be given to supply your want. Thus there may be equality,

15 As it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.

Blessings,

Alan

 

[BFine]

I have been an eager at tithing for at least 2 years at a Church I go to. I give at least 10% of the income I earn to the church. Yet for most of that time my financial situation has not improved and been constantly in debt. I currently getting deeper in debt as I just lost my job. Where is God? God says he will bless each giver and I heard that in Church. In addition due to my current financial situation I not able to afford to continue to give 10% of my income to the church.

Does any Christians experience no improvements in their debt levels even if they tithe?

*I carried a debt load for a long time...many years,
much of it was my own fault and I suffered the consequences of not setting aside money for bad times. I bought things I didn't truly need when I had money and steady employment...much of my hard times were because I wasn't a good steward of the money the Lord provided for me.
So yes, I've experienced years of no improvement in my debt levels, not only was
I unemployed for 3 years and because I hadn't been a good steward of the money I had when things were good, when my job ended, things got worse.

During those 3 years of being unemployed, I worked odd-jobs: baby-sitting,
cleaning houses, running errands, doing yard work etc... I also planted a
garden and fished to keep food on the table. I sought help at church, friends and
from welfare.

*New Testament giving---We are to give cheerfully, joyfully without compulsion... too many have twisted scripture to make it say something that it doesn't say/ and or doesn't apply.

You no longer have a job, have you made your need known to the church body?
To your family/relatives?

Believers are to help one another...Romans 15:25–27 "At present, however,
I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them.
For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings."

Where is God?
Psalm 47:8
"God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne."
God is with you, His Holy Spirit resides inside of you, He is omnipresent...
He promises never to leave, never to forsake....

Our "duty"-
Believers are the hands, feet etc for the Lord, the Lord wants us to bless
others...1 John 3:17
"Whoever has worldly possessions and sees his brother who has a need and withholds his compassion from him, how is the love of God in him?"



Also...
Tithes and or offerings weren't just money, there would be food stuff, clothing,
building supplies etc... whatever a person who had a need could use... I recall
a time when a friend of mine needed a car-- someone gave him a good used car--
my friend was thrilled! He kept that car for a long time.

When I got a job after 3 years, I applied the things I learned while being unemployed... such as: using the library, shopping at the Dollar stores,
gardening, doing home-cooked meals/taking my own food to work instead of ordering out, putting money aside for "rainy days", getting a good used car that I could afford, shopping sales etc.

I have the Lord to thank for all of that ...because He's the one who helped me
find all those odd-jobs, He's the reason I never came home emptied handed
...the Lord taught me to think twice before I just spent money.

I'm not perfect at this, I still fail here and there but nothing serious like
before when I didn't have a dime left after getting paid...I spent a lot of money of "me", eating out and entertainment.

 

[dude99]

*New Testament giving---We are to give cheerfully, joyfully without compulsion... too many have twisted scripture to make it say something that it doesn't say/ and or doesn't apply.

You no longer have a job, have you made your need known to the church body?
To your family/relatives?

Believers are to help one another...Romans 15:25–27 "At present, however,
I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them.
For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings."

Where is God?
Psalm 47:8
"God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne."
God is with you, His Holy Spirit resides inside of you, He is omnipresent...
He promises never to leave, never to forsake....

Our "duty"-
Believers are the hands, feet etc for the Lord, the Lord wants us to bless
others...1 John 3:17
"Whoever has worldly possessions and sees his brother who has a need and withholds his compassion from him, how is the love of God in him?"



Also...
Tithes and or offerings weren't just money, there would be food stuff, clothing,
building supplies etc... whatever a person who had a need could use... I recall
a time when a friend of mine needed a car-- someone gave him a good used car--
my friend was thrilled! He kept that car for a long time.

When I got a job after 3 years, I applied the things I learned while being unemployed... such as: using the library, shopping at the Dollar stores,
gardening, doing home-cooked meals/taking my own food to work instead of ordering out, putting money aside for "rainy days", getting a good used car that I could afford, shopping sales etc.

I have the Lord to thank for all of that ...because He's the one who helped me
find all those odd-jobs, He's the reason I never came home emptied handed
...the Lord taught me to think twice before I just spent money.

I'm not perfect at this, I still fail here and there but nothing serious like
before when I didn't have a dime left after getting paid...I spent a lot of money of "me", eating out and entertainment.

Thank you very much for the response. Also thank you very much for all the responses everyone.

I have told family members and so far a guy from my church I out of work.

I am well educated and plan to do new courses this year. One is through Bible college and another is at another college. I also plan to do some volunteer work. I already do a few hours of volunteer work but want to do more. I also do intend to look for more paid work.

Yes I have things I am thankful for the Lord. I will continue to tithe with regards to church and the 10% wont be set to stone and will at least give something to the church every time I am there.

 

[parsley]

It's important to learn God's ways on your own, without the input of people who might use it to defend their own agendas.

When the tithe was presented to the people, it was used to make sure the poor were fed, and the priests' families did not starve. It was the grain, the first batch.

When the community cared for the weaker members, the community thrived -- because they could count on each other, and their sense of decency improved. I believe God blessed their generosity because they made efforts to care-- not efforts to sacrifice.

They expressed thanks for what they already had.

Then later throughout scriptures, look for places where poverty is mentioned. Chasing after dreams, sitting idle... very direct correlations. There are some other spiritual reasons for poverty, but they are not related to tithing.

I would guess that God wants us to learn the correct principles, and might not be blessing it because He wants you to dig further.

The "rust and moth not consuming" definitely has applied for me, while tithing most of my lifetime. And God has provided my daily bread, helped me find unusual items exactly when I need them. But wealth... nah.

 

[Pink Spider]

Tithing was a command in the Old Testament
Law. Those who were under the Law (Israel) were required to tithe to stay
righteous before God. However, New Testament Christians are righteous
before God through Jesus whether they tithe or not.

Exactly!

 

[LilLamb219]

I have been an eager at tithing for at least 2 years at a Church I go to. I give at least 10% of the income I earn to the church. Yet for most of that time my financial situation has not improved and been constantly in debt. I currently getting deeper in debt as I just lost my job. Where is God? God says he will bless each giver and I heard that in Church. In addition due to my current financial situation I not able to afford to continue to give 10% of my income to the church.

Does any Christians experience no improvements in their debt levels even if they tithe?

Did you expect God to bless you if you gave money to the church?

You can also give by serving in the church/community with your time and talents.

 

[Stevelee44]

Tithing doesn't say you will increase in your finances.
Malachi 3:8-11
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the Lord of hosts.

It says God will rebuke the devourer. Sowing Seed will increase your finances not Tithing. Tithing is just so that what you do is blessed. We pay the Tithe then we sow seed (extra money). Tithing just blesses you so that The devil doesn't steal what you have.

 

[dysert]

I have been an eager at tithing for at least 2 years at a Church I go to. I give at least 10% of the income I earn to the church. Yet for most of that time my financial situation has not improved and been constantly in debt. I currently getting deeper in debt as I just lost my job. Where is God? God says he will bless each giver and I heard that in Church. In addition due to my current financial situation I not able to afford to continue to give 10% of my income to the church.

Does any Christians experience no improvements in their debt levels even if they tithe?

I don't think that tithing is a NT concept. That being said, there should be no expectation one way or the other about being financially blessed if you tithe.
The promise in Mal. 3:10 was not given to you or me. It doesn't apply.

Personally, we have tithed (because my wife thinks the Bible teaches it), but I haven't noticed -- or expected -- any financial blessing. Yes, God has taken care of us financially, but I imagine that we'd be further ahead if we had *not* tithed all these years. In fact, there was one year when we only gave 5% instead of 10, and that was a good year because it enabled us to pay off some debt we could not have otherwise done.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

God may and likely will lead you to give when you're in debt and unemployed - but it will be for your benefit; not His, and it won't be a set amount such as 10% so that you never need to check with Him before you give - He is far more interested in your fellowship than in your money. the streets of heaven are paved with gold - God doesn't need money; to Him it's the equivalent of gravel - He paves His streets with gold .

if you have more debt than money to pay the debt, then you have nothing to give - all the money you have belongs to your creditors; if all your debts were called due today, you wouldn't have anything left to give. so the first step in giving is to stop borrowing and pay what you owe so that you will have something to give - BUT - since you're unemployed right now, you obviously can't pay your debts either - so what you need to do is hear from God - and you won't hear from Him if you're asking 'where is God?' - He has already promised that He will never leave nor forsake you in His word (Heb 13:5) - so to ask this question you must first refuse to hear what He has already said to you in His word - but don't be condemned or discouraged - Jesus paid for that too - just receive your already available forgiveness and start listening to what He's already said to you in His word - always agree with Him, because when you don't agree with Him, you have stopped listening to Him - even though He's still speaking to you...

2Co 9:5-11 KJV
(5) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
(6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
(7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(9) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
(10) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; )
(11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

notice that the NT covenant says to give of your bounty - what you have left after you pay your debts - so if you are unemployed and have debt that you can't pay off, then God doesn't expect 10% of what you have borrowed and no longer have...

notice that in verse 7 that under the NT covenant,, we are to give as we 'purpose in our heart' - not a set amount. if you study this out, it is saying that we are to give as God leads us to give...so wait until you hear from Him before you give

notice also in verse 7 that we are NOT to give of necessity - if you give so that God will 'rebuke the devourer', or give so that He will give to you, you ARE giving of necessity (which is contrary to this instruction). as a matter of fact, as a reborn believer you are a 'joint heir with Christ' (Romans 8:17) so God has already given you all He has - and according to 2Peter 1:1-4, God has already given you all you need - but you have to receive this by faith according to His leading...

if i deposited $1milllion in a bank account with your name on it, and wrote you a letter telling you how to draw it out, and gave you my phone number so you could call me for clarification, at that point i would have already given you $1million even though you had not yet read the letter and drawn out the money from the bank; and if you never read my letter, you could die an ignorant pauper with $1million in the bank that you didn't know you had...

and look at the good news in verse 10 - HE PROVIDES TO YOU WHAT YOU ARE TO GIVE - but you must listen to and follow His instructions to receive it

having been unemployed for two years myself at one point, i know that you can't look for a job 8 hours a day; so you have some time to 'hear' what God has already said to you in His word; this should help:

Christian Survival Kit - Audio Teaching - Andrew Wommack Ministries (a verse-by-verse teaching from John, chapters 14, 15, and 16. These are Jesus' instructions to His disciples the night before His crucifixion. )

the teachings are free - no cost means no excuse, and you do have the time right now - remember that He has faith in YOU; that's why He chose you - always agree with Him!!!

 

[dude99]

God may and likely will lead you to give when you're in debt and unemployed - but it will be for your benefit; not His, and it won't be a set amount such as 10% so that you never need to check with Him before you give - He is far more interested in your fellowship than in your money. the streets of heaven are paved with gold - God doesn't need money; to Him it's the equivalent of gravel - He paves His streets with gold .

if you have more debt than money to pay the debt, then you have nothing to give - all the money you have belongs to your creditors; if all your debts were called due today, you wouldn't have anything left to give. so the first step in giving is to stop borrowing and pay what you owe so that you will have something to give - BUT - since you're unemployed right now, you obviously can't pay your debts either - so what you need to do is hear from God - and you won't hear from Him if you're asking 'where is God?' - He has already promised that He will never leave nor forsake you in His word (Heb 13:5) - so to ask this question you must first refuse to hear what He has already said to you in His word - but don't be condemned or discouraged - Jesus paid for that too - just receive your already available forgiveness and start listening to what He's already said to you in His word - always agree with Him, because when you don't agree with Him, you have stopped listening to Him - even though He's still speaking to you...

2Co 9:5-11 KJV
(5) Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
(6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
(7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(9) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
(10) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; )
(11) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

notice that the NT covenant says to give of your bounty - what you have left after you pay your debts - so if you are unemployed and have debt that you can't pay off, then God doesn't expect 10% of what you have borrowed and no longer have...

notice that in verse 7 that under the NT covenant,, we are to give as we 'purpose in our heart' - not a set amount. if you study this out, it is saying that we are to give as God leads us to give...so wait until you hear from Him before you give

notice also in verse 7 that we are NOT to give of necessity - if you give so that God will 'rebuke the devourer', or give so that He will give to you, you ARE giving of necessity (which is contrary to this instruction). as a matter of fact, as a reborn believer you are a 'joint heir with Christ' (Romans 8:17) so God has already given you all He has - and according to 2Peter 1:1-4, God has already given you all you need - but you have to receive this by faith according to His leading...

if i deposited $1milllion in a bank account with your name on it, and wrote you a letter telling you how to draw it out, and gave you my phone number so you could call me for clarification, at that point i would have already given you $1million even though you had not yet read the letter and drawn out the money from the bank; and if you never read my letter, you could die an ignorant pauper with $1million in the bank that you didn't know you had...

and look at the good news in verse 10 - HE PROVIDES TO YOU WHAT YOU ARE TO GIVE - but you must listen to and follow His instructions to receive it

having been unemployed for two years myself at one point, i know that you can't look for a job 8 hours a day; so you have some time to 'hear' what God has already said to you in His word; this should help:

Christian Survival Kit - Audio Teaching - Andrew Wommack Ministries (a verse-by-verse teaching from John, chapters 14, 15, and 16. These are Jesus' instructions to His disciples the night before His crucifixion. )

the teachings are free - no cost means no excuse, and you do have the time right now - remember that He has faith in YOU; that's why He chose you - always agree with Him!!!

Thank you very much for the message also the message from everyone here. They are very helpful.

Yes God loves a cheerful giver. I will only give what I can do each week. I need to be on a budget. I may be unemployed for quite some time yet. Only God knows all.

Actually I plan to do 2 courses this year and I not able to afford it and already have a big student debt. One is at Bible college. One course I got the approval from the student loans department, the other for Bible college I have yet to be approved. Yet I still under my limit for the student debt and there is a limit on how much a student can borrow. However I may change to do one course only instead of 2 this year and may go to bible college instead of the other college I enrolled in.

Of course there is no comfort seeing my student debt levels will increase. Yet of course my goal is to eventually pay back all the debt even though it is not easy getting a job and even when I had a job last it was not steady employment and a oncall basis and most of my jobs in the past few years have been like that. Yet I have to trust God has great plans for me and I have faith God will eventually lead me into a great job or a business opportunity where all my debts will be paid off. I know through faith in the Lord I can move mountains yet I need to believe that.

Blessings to you all.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

1. God knows your heart. If you're tithing just because you expect to be blessed financially, that's the wrong reason.
2. For those who say tithing is an OT thing, well, OK, in the NT Jesus says "sell it all and follow me." I'd rather tithe.

 

[ezeric]

Just was prompted to share this scripture…

And he (GOD) is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:25

Before you give anything anymore…pay your debts, live within your means and have the joy of the LORD in doing it!

-eric

 

[dude99]

Just was prompted to share this scripture…

And he (GOD) is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:25

Before you give anything anymore…pay your debts, live within your means and have the joy of the LORD in doing it!

-eric

Thanks for that, yet there are other ways I can give to the church such as serving there and volunteering which I am currently doing.

I will only pay back my debts once I working again.

God Bless.

 

[dysert]

Just was prompted to share this scripture…

And he (GOD) is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:25

Before you give anything anymore…pay your debts, live within your means and have the joy of the LORD in doing it!

-eric

This deserves second notice.

 

[Quasicentennial]

Very rarely would you find anyone who would get a huge harvest overnight, otherwise national employment wouldn't exist. Benny Hinn's television ministry tactics on your giving your tithe, for example, so that you can sow what you reap is twofold: it requires much more than giving a frequent portion of your money, it also requires your intelligent mind to educate yourself on new skills so that the real rewards of a huge harvest is your positive thinking towards a career or owning your business and being part of the economic reality of your country being United States of America which God blesses.;'*';.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Tithing is out of the excess. If you need it to live then its irresponsible for you to tithe it. Also, tithe was to go to the poor as opposed to other things. Those are my understandings. I could be wrong.

 

[aiki]

Mark 12:41-44
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.
43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

Selah.