Tithing vs. debt reduction

This past weekend we had the privilege of being at Clinton Grace Brethren Church for the weekend. We were truly blessed and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity of being there.

  

During the weekend one of the questions that came up was “How do we prioritize debt reduction with tithing”.  On Sunday I said that I believe tithing should be a higher priority than debt reduction.  Since this comment initiated some questions, I thought this might be a good opportunity of discussing it a bit further.

God tells us pretty clearly in Proverbs 22:7 that debt is bondage and we should get out of it as quickly as possible.   For most of us 10% of our income seems like a pretty good chunk of money that could be going towards paying down our mortgage, car loans or credit card debts.

But I believe the answer to the question “Should we pay off debts before tithing?” is a pretty definite NO!  First, we must realize that the tithe is only for those who truly desire to follow Jesus Christ.  If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, tithing does not apply to you.  The instruction to tithe is only found in one place and that is the Bible.  So our discussion about prioritizing debt repayment and tithing will assume that the Bible is the final authority and we are followers of Christ.  Based on that assumption, here are a number of reasons I believe that tithing is a greater priority than debt reduction.

The Bible offers no exception

The Bible consistently maintains that tithing is a first priority of the believer (Proverbs 3:9; Deuteronomy 14:22-23; Malachi 3:9).  This is regardless of the circumstances.  Abram tithed to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20, Jesus acknowledged that even the Pharisees were faithful in tithing (Matthew 23:23 and Luke 18:42) and the writer of Hebrews 7 indicates that tithing is a regular discipline and exercise of worship.  Malachi 3:8 says that we are robbing God when we do not tithe.  There is no “loophole” given for paying debts before tithing.

God consistently warns about the dangers of going into debt (although He does not forbid it).  Violating God’s principles and finding ourselves in excessive debt does not give us the right to ignore God’s principles on tithing.

God owns everything…

We too easily forget that God owns everything and money and possessions belong to God. (Psalm 24:1)  God can give and God can take away. (Job 1:21)  God is sovereign over all that exists.  Acts 17:28 says “for in Him we live and move and exist”.  Debt is very much a part of this temporary life and may make us uncomfortable today, but as true believers we are to obey the One who is the true owner.

Christ compliments those who give out of poverty…

Christ made special mention of the woman who gave while she was in poverty.  In God’s eyes her gift was far greater than the gifts of those who had much larger means. (Luke 21:3-4)  Poverty, debt or other financial issues do not excuse the believer from tithing.  We need to tithe cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) regardless of circumstances.

God will meet our needs…

Psalm 37:25 says “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread”.   Debt may have placed us in an uncomfortable situation, but if we are seeking to live by God’s Economy He has promised to meet our needs.  Philippians 4:19 says very clearly that God will meet our needs.

Leviticus 27:30,32 says the tithe is holy to God.  Deuteronomy 14:22-23 says that tithing indicates a “Fear of the Lord” and Proverbs 9:10 says the “Fear of the Lord” is the beginning of wisdom.  I believe the wisdom that comes from the Lord includes sound money management (James 1:5-8).  In many cases the first step to getting out of debt is the tithe.

Tithing comes with a blessing…

Luke 11:9-13 assures us that God loves His children.  He wants us to trust Him and allow Him to show Himself to be faithful.  To withhold our tithe because of our debts shows a lack of trust in God.  Remember God does not need our money, He needs our heart and by giving Him our tithe we are indicating in a very tangible way that He has our heart.

In Malachi 3:10 God clearly told the Israelites that if they tithed He would “Open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing until it overflows”.  God loves us just as He loved the Israelites and I do believe that promise applies to us as well.  Just this weekend a number of Believers shared with me how God blessed them as they began on their journey of tithing.

If we really believe that God is God and He in control and loves us the decision to tithe becomes a “no-brainer”.  If we find ourselves in debt and even excessive debt we need to diligently free ourselves from the bondage that Proverbs 22:7 warns us of.  And if we are a true child of God, we have no choice but to cheerfully give Him the first fruits of all He blesses us with. No amount of debt will be able to keep us from obeying Him.