Giving 10%?

I have a question, when it comes to giving your 10%, i really do not have a problem with this, except if i were to give 10% of what i have, i would be taking money out of either my rent, my utilities, or basic neccessities. I have a VERY low income, right now i'am a single parent with 5 kids. Two of whom are in diapers, so every dollar is accounted for. On the occasion when i have a few extra dollars i do give it to my church, but i feel it isn't enough. And no, i do not get my nails done, my hair done, no cable none of the luxuries that i used to have. So my question is, do i just take that leap of faith that God will provide if i give a full 10%? Or do I just give what i can? I feel like i'm afraid to just do it cause i've got too many little ones depending on me.

[dmdave17]

Dear MonicaR,
I know it is VERY difficult to meet the 10% standard when you are struggling financially. I am in the same position myself, right now. There are many stories of people who gave 10% in the face of financial difficulties and were abundantly blessed, but when you won't be able to feed your children if you do, it's hard to "pull the trigger" and give away money you really don't have. I believe that God knows your heart. If you want to be charitable, I believe that He takes that into consideration. But it is also a matter of trust. I also believe that He wants us to trust Him implicitly, to meet all our needs. Read Matthew 6, verses 26 through 31. Jesus summarizes God's position very succinctly.
Like me, I suggest that you ask God to strengthen your faith so that you can step out and give your 10% even when it means trusting Him. And until your faith becomes strong enough (mine is not yet, either), ask Him to bear with you and forgive your lack of trust.
God bless you.

Thank you dmdave17. It's nice to know, i'm not the only one feeling this. I've spent a lot of time debating on what to do, but i haven't asked God to strengthen my faith so i can do it. Thank you for suggesting that. And i will keep you in my prayers that you can succeed in this as well. Thanks again.

No, the church won't fall apart without our measly 10%... but I believe GOD asks us for obedience and faith in this matter. HE desires to bless us and, no you won't get rich from tithing but HE will bless you for your faith and obedience. You must give with a heart of faith, not a heart desiring an increase of your sacrifice... but desiring to please HIM. He will continue makeing certain that your needs are provided.

Blessings to you & may GOD guide you through this growing process. In this matter HE says 'try me.' So just do it once to see & watch HIM prove HIMself to you.

Thank you Happy2bme. I want to give my 10% because I do want to be obedient in every aspect, not because i want to see what i get out of it. I really think i need to work on my faith in this.

you seem to have a true concern and desire to be faithful to HIM in this... keep praying hun, HE'll get u there

[timbo2computers]

10% is not a thing! thats what churches tell us so they can buy big screen tvs!. (has some biblical principled but not for every one)

if you think about it rent and basic bills like power ect. where never your money the money come and goes on the same day so dont include them in the magic 10% if you have left over money thank god for it by giving some back to him. thats what i do.

one day i hope to be giving much more than 10% but not to a big name church! supporting missionaries ect is more important to the kingdom of god.

[Jason83]

Originally Posted by MonicaR

Thank you Happy2bme. I want to give my 10% because I do want to be obedient in every aspect, not because i want to see what i get out of it. I really think i need to work on my faith in this.

Well, if you don't have anything to give than 10% of 0 is 0, so you are already tithing. I doubt God is interested in you giving away money that you need for you and your children to survive. However, what you could do is if you ever have a little extra money, you could give a small offering often referred to as a "love gift."

[Slepsog4]

The OT tithe was based on one's increase. In the NT giving is based on what one prospers and is to be determined by the individual. Anything above subsistence is luxury. Give of your time and talent when you have no treasure.

[sensitive]

http://www.lighthouseprophecy.com/prophecy/ExposingTheTitheLie.html

I hope you find peace in these teachings.

Hey there...

I've actually been struggling financially most of my life. I always gave when I could, but I never gave the full 10% because I felt like I would lose those basic necessities (heat, water, rent) if I did. However, I've learned through experience it's not about the money at all! It's about trusting in God. On a whim one Sunday, I decided to tithe the full 10%. I took a deep breath and felt sick to my stomach as I knew this probably meant I was going to be short on my electric bill. But when I left church that day, I said a little prayer and told God that I was giving my financial struggles to Him. It was in His hands. I trusted Him with all my heart to provide.

Within a day, I had made back the money I tithed 10 times over, and set 10% of that aside to tithe the next week. God blessed me with things as simple as babysitting jobs, that I accepted, and happened to get tipped really well on.

I continue to tithe weekly to this day, and God continues to provide for me. I am comfortable for the first time ever financially, and even have a little extra to do "fun" things. My mom struggles with tithing as well, and I'm trying to convince her to go for it!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart! He will provide.

[tryingtofindhim]

I do believe the 10% tithes was an old testament law; Christ told us to give what we have.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I really do appreciate it

Hi MonicaR

Just wanted to say titheing was spoken of by God. The Word says to trust God with all your heart. To seek His kingdom first and all else will be given to you. When you tithe your 10% you are telling God you trust in Him more than you trust in your circumstance. That's really hard, until you do it and then God shows you who is really in control of our lives. It's not about the money all of it belongs to Him anyway, it is about trust and obedience. He wants to bless us in ways we haven't even thought of yet. Trust Him and watch the hand of God move in your life.

[Seriously_Cool_Wife]

I'm not in your shoes, so I know it must be hard...

But since you asked... have you considered it from this angle? If we don't give because we think we can't pay our bills or feed our kids... is that showing a lack of faith that God will provide our needs?

Please, not judging, only commenting cuz it was asked. I know it's tough, I'm not belittling that, and I also know there are times we have not been on track either. We were there, too... not giving... or not giving 10% or whatever GOd asked us to...

I just know...

a. We are called to give. (10 % or whatever you feel the word of God asks)
b. God promises us to test Him on giving... See the blessings he pours out when we are faithful.
c. God is the provider..not us... He has to provide enough that the other 90% is enough.
d. actually, technically, doesn't God own ALL of it? It just depends on what kind of stewardship we demonstrate.

There's probably more, but I'm just sharing...

HOpe this is ok.

OH!! and regards to old testament giving... some one told me that if you added up all the giving that was required in the old testament, it actually fell down to something more than 30%... but I didn't study that myself, so I don't know if that was true.

The Lord will supply. We were in the same place and when we started giving the Lord provided.

Originally Posted by Seriously_Cool_Wife

I'm not in your shoes, so I know it must be hard...

But since you asked... have you considered it from this angle? If we don't give because we think we can't pay our bills or feed our kids... is that showing a lack of faith that God will provide our needs?

Please, not judging, only commenting cuz it was asked. I know it's tough, I'm not belittling that, and I also know there are times we have not been on track either. We were there, too... not giving... or not giving 10% or whatever GOd asked us to...

I just know...

a. We are called to give. (10 % or whatever you feel the word of God asks)
b. God promises us to test Him on giving... See the blessings he pours out when we are faithful.
c. God is the provider..not us... He has to provide enough that the other 90% is enough.
d. actually, technically, doesn't God own ALL of it? It just depends on what kind of stewardship we demonstrate.

There's probably more, but I'm just sharing...

HOpe this is ok.

OH!! and regards to old testament giving... some one told me that if you added up all the giving that was required in the old testament, it actually fell down to something more than 30%... but I didn't study that myself, so I don't know if that was true.

I agree it is a lack of faith. And that makes me feel guilty considering all God has done for me so far. I just ask that you keep in your prayers, to strengthen my faith. And yes your posting was okay and appreciated

Prayers for support will definitely help.

[resurrection33]

Originally Posted by MonicaR

I have a question, when it comes to giving your 10%, i really do not have a problem with this, except if i were to give 10% of what i have, i would be taking money out of either my rent, my utilities, or basic neccessities. I have a VERY low income, right now i'am a single parent with 5 kids. Two of whom are in diapers, so every dollar is accounted for. On the occasion when i have a few extra dollars i do give it to my church, but i feel it isn't enough. And no, i do not get my nails done, my hair done, no cable none of the luxuries that i used to have. So my question is, do i just take that leap of faith that God will provide if i give a full 10%? Or do I just give what i can? I feel like i'm afraid to just do it cause i've got too many little ones depending on me.

My advice is to give what you can.

I AM ALSO A SINGLE MOM STRUGGLING WITH MY FINANCES BUT I GIVE MY 10% AND OFFERINGS AND GLORY TO GOD ALL MY BILLS ARE PAID AND THERE IS FOOD ON MY TABLE.I DONT HAVE MONEY FOR THE EXTRAS LIKE NAILS BEING DONE AND STUFF LIKE THAT BUT THE LORD SAID HE WOULD SUPPLY OUR NEEDS NOT OUR WANTS.TRUST GOD AND YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.BESIDE THE BIBLE TELLS US IF WE DONT GIVE OUR 10% WE ARE ROBBING GOD.LETS FACE IT HE DOESN'T NEED OUR MONEY IT IS ALL ABOUT OBEDIENCE.YOU CANT OUT GIVE GOD.