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Tithing while in debt requires a balance between our spiritual commitments and our financial responsibilities. Today, we’re discussing tithing while in debt, with an emphasis on how you can contribute to building His Kingdom, even when you’re facing financial challenges.

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

Have you ever wondered if canceling a credit card is a wise financial move—or if it could bring unexpected difficulties to your financial future? Maybe you’ve had a credit card for years, but now you’re wondering—should I cancel it to avoid temptation? Or will closing it hurt my credit? These are real concerns for many Christians who want to honor God with their finances.

We’re called to be good stewards of our resources, but navigating the world of credit scores, debt, and financial responsibility in a way that honors this calling isn’t always obvious.

The concept of the Year of Jubilee, rooted in ancient biblical law, offers a unique lesson about debt and financial freedom. In today’s world, where debt is a growing burden for many, exploring the Jubilee year offers valuable insights and inspiration for modern debt relief practices.

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There is so much wisdom to be found in the Bible to guide us to successful Christian debt management. The Bible has a few different passages that cover debt and general finances. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul says “The love of money is the root of all evil.” For this reason, Jesus says Christians should not be overly concerned with money. A Biblical budget is an honest budget, which also teaches us to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5).

These two principles— not worshiping money and being content with what we have—are excellent foundations for Christian personal finance.

The Bible teaches that a faithful Christian’s primary focus should be on God and the things of God, not money or material things. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Christian debt management means being wise with our personal finances. God entrusted us with money so we can be good stewards, give it to others and further the kingdom of God. It’s important that we honor our blessings by not placing our faith in money, but storing our treasures in heaven.

Practicing Biblical Budgeting for Christian Debt Management

It is also important as Christians to be content with what we currently have. Hebrews 13:5 says “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”

And lastly, Paul said for us to view money through a Biblical lens, he told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 , that it was good and profitable if people put their hope in God and store up treasures in heaven that cannot be corrupted by moths or rust. He goes on to say that our worldly treasures will quickly perish and decay when compared to the imperishable riches in heaven. Also, Paul told Timothy not to be concerned for those things that would not allow him to lead a godly life and instead encourages him to trust God who gives us everything we need.

Whenever we need guidance on Christian finance and Christian debt management, we certainly do not need to look very far. 

Taxes, Tithes, and Personal Funds

Romans 13:6-7 instructs Christians to attend to finances in this manner: to pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor to whom each is owed.

We hustle to cover mortgage payments, daily living expenses, and the unplanned events in life. With all that, it’s easy to forget about giving unto Caesar and giving unto God. It’s even more likely individuals forget that God has given them gifts for the purpose of enjoyment.
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4 Practical Guidelines for Giving

It’s that time of year when it seems everyone and their mother is asking for donations.

After reading this blog post about giving, I started examining my own household’s giving practices. I had to admit we don’t always give our first and best—and we don’t always give with the right motives, either.

The Bible makes it clear that it’s not just what, but how we give that matters. With that in mind, here are four giving guidelines I’m trying to put into practice. Hopefully, they’ll give you something to think about, too.
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The Best (Free!) Way to Amplify Your Giving

When I glanced at my bank account balance the other day, I noticed several monthly gifts and offerings had been deducted as usual.

No big deal. I began to move down my to-do list like any other day, but something stopped me.

For the first time in a while, I actually thought about where the money was going. And then I wondered why it rarely occurred to me to pray about it.
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When you’re deep in debt and struggling to pay the bills, it’s easy to feel like everyone else is doing better than you.

Just flip through the channels on any given night, and a sense of pride or self-pity will seem completely justified. The cunning marketing campaigns seek to drown out reality: “You’re worth it. It’s your turn. You deserve this.” Even if you can’t afford it.

During the last few years, in the wake of the 2008 recession, the slogan, “We are the 99 percent” has practically become a household phrase. Members of the Occupy movement adopted it as a rallying cry to draw attention to the large concentration of wealth among the top 1 percent of income earners in the United States.

They’re correct in saying that the wealthiest Americans control a huge piece of the pie, but they’re missing the bigger picture— the global picture.

Here’s the Truth

If you’re living in the United States with a roof over your head, food on the table, and you can read this sentence, you are not the 99 percent.

In fact, there’s a good chance you are actually the 1 percent.

A London-based digital marketing company created an eye-opening project called the Global Rich List. It allows you to see where your wealth ranks you among the world population. According to the Global Rich List, if you make at least $33,000 a year, you’re in the top 1 percent. You are one of the richest people on earth.

Maybe you don’t make that much money. In fact, maybe you make less than half that amount. Guess what? With a $15,000 salary and no benefits, you still make the top 8 percent.

If it’s still not sinking in, here are some quick facts via Compassion:

When envy creeps into your mind as your neighbor shows off his new car, or your friend shows up in yet another new outfit, it’s easy to forget that 1.4 billion people live on $1.25 a day or less (visualize that number through the World Bank’s interactive map).

Of course, just knowing how fortunate you are on a global scale isn’t enough. Thankfulness is a decision, and it’s one we must make on a daily basis.

King Solomon knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV).

If we aren’t careful, we’ll go through life constantly wanting and never satisfied. But for those who follow Christ, there is always a reason to be thankful. And there is always a way out when envy, pride or greed starts to creep in.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (ESV).

The Message puts it this way: “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things.”

It can be an uphill battle living in America and pushing back against the consumerism that lurks around every corner, but God calls His people to a higher standard.

Remember, “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27, NIV).

We are not the 99 percent. God has trusted us with a lot. Let’s strive to be faithful with every dollar.