by Hope
I found a church I like here in Austin earlier in the summer. Although I continued to visit other churches that were closer to me, I really fell in love with this church. And now I can’t stand to miss a service.
And the best thing to me, or two best things to me, are 1) it’s super casual. I don’t have to even think about what I wear. Outside of them keeping the building freezing cold, I can wear whatever and no one looks at me sideways. This has always been a HUGE thing for me. Since I was a child. I have always hated “dressing” up. Like HATE!
And 2) they have Saturday service. I’ve never been to a church that had service any other day of the week, but this one has 2 services on Saturdays and 3 services on Sundays. And I absolutely LOVE going to church on Saturday afternoon.
I joined a small group during the summer. And then I began leading a small group in the fall. Continuing in both this winter/spring as well.
All that to say…
Tithing 10%
Last month, they did a whole series on giving. I think most churches do it every year as a lead into the year end giving drive. I’ve never really paid attention to it. Certainly never felt convicted to give.
And gave up donating and tithing pretty readily soon as I started writing here with the excuse that that money needed to go toward debt instead. Which in theory, might have been right, but the reality is, it didn’t. I spent it. Not wisely.
But that is the past, and this is the 2026 version of Hope. And I learned alot during my church’s end of the year series on giving. And was convicted that I need to start tithing again.
All in…so starting immediately. This year. I will be giving 10% of all income to my church.
Do you give? Tithing regularly or just when you are asked? Or feel like it?
Hope is a resourceful and solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and tech expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mom of five foster/adoptive children to an empty nester, Hope is navigating the emotional and practical challenges of redefining her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.
Living in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, Hope cherishes the serenity of the mountains over the bustle of the beach. Though her kids are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bittersweet tug of letting go.
Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with a renewed focus and a clear path ahead, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance that she’s brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their own financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.
How will this work in the absence of a budget? Without a concrete plan, this additional contribution will simply displace any savings you might have planned. Or even worse, a financial slip and the committed tithe will put you back into debt.
Please be very careful here.
Absence of a budget? I have a budget…created last spring.
Your life is completely different than it was last spring. A budget from when you were an unemployed/underemployed homeowner in Georgia has no relevance to now when you’re self employed living with your parents in Texas.
I don’t recall you publishing an actual budget, with income, expenses, and savings. But since you remember doing so, would you please post a link to that budget? The search function is janky on this blog site.
Also, once you have a budget you should track against it. Have you posted anything like “budget v actual” analysis in the past 11 months? Would you link to it please?
People here read are trying to offer you sound advice and caution. You can keep being defensive, or take the input to heart and self-reflect. But continuing to push back when your financial house isn’t in order isn’t helping anyone.
I’ve always been committed to giving. But I’ve only done a true tithe for the last fourteen months. God has blessed me so much. I have it processed automatically once a month.
We’ve always tithed on our gross income. It was almost always our biggest annual expense. However I’m a little puzzled in retirement to figure out what to tithe on now. Every dollar that we invested was tithed on, same for the Social Security taxes we paid. So our income now in retirement is coming from sources we already tithed on. We still give generously, but the fact is, I have no idea what to apply the 10% to now that we are in the withdrawal phase of life.
you could tithe on investment gains, because the gain would not have been already tithed on. If I did this I’d figure my tithe on my realized gains since that would be the closest to a traditional income. There’s probably a variety of ways to go about it specifically, especially with tax advantaged accounts and SS or pension income, but you can land on something you think feels right.
Congrats on retirement? Maybe don’t give to an organized church anymore? Donate what feels right to a homeless shelter, groups doing pro bono work for asylum seekers, the local food bank, a crisis nursery or women’s shelter. There are so many organizations far more deserving and providing far more care and tangible help beyond churches.
I don’t tithe, I am not giving money to institutions that get tax breaks and do nothing for the people they’re preaching to. I don’t mind giving to charity, but a church is not it for me.
This is not a smart idea. You are not financially stable at all. If anything, you should be on the receiving end of charity, such as food banks or housing help. This is a wild choice that you can’t afford until you are out of debt and have housing.
They played you like a fiddle at that session about giving.
Oh Hope, please reconsider. While you do not have debt, you also have shockingly little retirement investments for someone your age. You cannot live at your church in 20 years, and no one there will pay your bills. I’m not sure how they convinced you to tithe, and while I know your intentions are good, hear me as another Christian woman: Jesus would support you savings and investing in your own retirement more than tithing.
This right here. What percentage of your income is going into retirement savings? If you feel that you really need to tithe, maybe 3-5% is a good starting point. You were talking about living out of your car in the not so distant past. Do you have insights into the church finances? Are they transparent? Admittedly, I’m very skeptical about how some churches use their money and their nonprofit status. Please reconsider giving such a big chunk.
Tithing is not about who I give to, it’s about giving first to God and trusting him with my resources.
And living out of my car was a choice, not a I’m going to be homeless and forced to live out of my car. More of an adventure that I am interested in taking. So that I could travel across the country. Two totally different topics.
I read something once that said “tithing while you’re in debt is giving away someone else’s money.” If you are called to give back to this church, I would think about doing so with time/talent right now. I personally don’t feel you’re in a place to tithe with student debt still and little savings.
And Hope already said she is leading a bible study, while surely is volunteer. That donation of time should be considered well enough by the church, and Hope herself.
Oh gosh, I am glad you found a place you feel at home. That being said, any pastor worth his theology degree would not allow someone in your situation and with your financial history to donate 10% of their money to the church until all debt had been eradicated and a large retirement and nest egg was funded. You have many skills you can donate to the church in the form of organization and management. Preying upon people to donate a certain amount with no knowledge of their personal situation is predatory-have you done your research to see where the money goes? I suggest instead, set aside the 10% monthly in an interest bearing account and at the end of the calendar year, if you have met your savings goals and are debt free, then make that donation. If you have not, then you need to re-allocate that money to do so.
This is a great idea!
I forgot that they would have a theology degree. I don’t think big church pastors are worth their degrees imo.
I appreciate this perspective from a financial point of view, really do.
My conviction to tithe was not due to a church saying it needed money, but rather what the Bible says about tithing and trusting God with my resources and with his plan and purpose for my life.
I’m concerned that you are doing this, perhaps deep-down, because you feel pressured. Whether directly by the church from the presentation on giving or indirectly in the social environment. Do you think this church or any leaders would expect a flat 10% if they knew the details of your situation?
Another comment brought up a great point that you are already giving by volunteering your time and effort.
I didn’t always, but I have tithed for many years now. It has been a huge blessing.
Thank you.
Hope – I agree with what others have said here and agree that if the pastor and leadership understood your financial situation they would encourage the repayment of debt. Remember the Bible reminds us we have a clear responsibility before God to repay your debts. Psalm 37:21 states, “The wicked borrow and do not repay.”
I’ve not said that I wasn’t repaying my debt. Only that I am now adding tithing.
I doubt these folks actually care about someone’s debt when tithing.