CHRISTIANNEWS.COM.- A question I am frequently asked is: “Should I keep tithing while I get out of debt?” Or sometimes your close cousin says, “Why should I start tithing when I’m trying to get out of debt?”
These two questions are quite common when a Christian is in the process of turning his financial life around by getting out of debt.
I usually respond to these questions by asking a few questions in return to help clarify that person’s thought process. Hopefully that will lead them to answer the original question for themselves.
Already tithing? 3 questions for you
Let’s start with the people who are already tithing and are wondering if they should continue to do so. Many of them think that if they stop tithing for a while, it will free up some “extra money” so they can pay off their debts faster. Once the debts are paid, they will start tithing again and all will be well.
It sounds like a plan. But there are a few things to think about when considering that strategy. These are the questions I usually ask instead:
Why are you tithing in the first place? Most who tithe do so because they are being obedient to God’s teachings on giving. They have probably even experienced many of the blessings that come with tithing and realized that obedience in that area helps them live a more blessed life.
What happens if you stop tithing? When you stop tithing and use that money to pay off a debt, it pays off much faster. That’s good, right?
But the flip side of that coin is that you’ve eliminated a reason for God to bless your life and finances. Stopping tithing means that you are no longer being obedient to God in that way. It makes it impossible for Him to bless you for your obedience and may actually harm you because you have removed His protection in that area of your life.
What happens if you keep tithing? When you keep tithing while getting out of debt, it means you’re still obedient to God’s word. He will keep his hand on your situation and you will continue to be open to the blessings that tithing brings to your life. God will work on his behalf and make sure all goes well in his search to get out of debt.
conclusion
So the question remains: Should you tithe while you are getting out of debt? Only you can answer that question for you and your family. Evaluate the pros and cons, ask the right questions, pray about it, and you will come to the right decision.
Written by: Dr Jason Cabler, a Christian personal finance blogger, author, and speaker. He teaches how to get out of debt and live a debt-free lifestyle through his Celebrating Financial Freedom blog and his self-study course.
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