When you’re staring at credit card balances, student loans, or a car payment that feels way too big, the idea of tithing can feel complicated and even counterintuitive. You want to be faithful. You want to honor God. But you also want to get out of debt and finally breathe again financially. So the question naturally comes up: Should you tithe while paying off debt?
This is one of those money topics that can stir up a lot of guilt, fear, and conflicting advice especially in Christian circles. Some say you should pause giving until you’re debt-free, while others believe tithing should come first no matter what.
In this post, we’ll look at what Scripture says, how faith and stewardship work together, and how to approach giving to God with peace (not pressure) even while working hard to pay off debt.
Let’s look at two different options when it comes to tithing while in debt:
Option 1: Tithe Despite Being in Debt
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10
Some believers choose to tithe regardless of debt because they see it as:
- An act of obedience and trust (Malachi 3:10)
- A way of putting God first, not last
- A reminder that provision comes from God, not income level
In Proverbs 3:9 it says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
Option 2: Pause Tithing While in Debt (But Still Give)
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Others believe that while generosity matters, going into deeper debt to tithe is unwise.
- Scripture warns about debt being a burden (Proverbs 22:7)
- Giving should be cheerful, not stressful (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- God values the heart, not a percentage
In this view, someone might:
- Give a smaller percentage
- Give consistently but modestly
- Focus on getting out of debt, then increase giving later
I love how Little House Budget shares that their family gives 1% of their income then they plan to add an extra 1% each year until they reach 10%.
What the Bible Says About Debt
If you’ve followed Dave Ramsey’s teaching, you will hear him quote Proverbs 22:7 “...the borrower is slave to the lender.” In Romans 13:8, Paul says, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” Jesus also talks about the concept of the burden of debt in Colossians 2:14 where he says, “having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” The Bible makes it clear that debt is a heavy burden and not something we should casually accept and carry long term.
Am I a Bad Person for Being in Debt?
Absolutely not. Being in debt does not make you a bad person. Debt can creep up on the best of us whether it is through medical bills, student loans, unexpected repairs, or the growing costs of raising children. If you understand that debt is bad, and you are not bad for having debt, that is a healthy place to be. I highly respect (and recommend) Dave Ramsey’s teaching, and I understand his stance on why you shouldn’t have any credit cards. However, I believe it is possible to have a credit card (one to two max) and use it responsibly without getting into debt or maxing it out. In the season of having three under three, we need a credit card to use for certain necessary essentials. When we discovered we were having twins in 2023, we decided to leave our high-paying careers to be more present as a family and for me to be able to stay at home to raise our children and be more involved in our church. We took a significant pay decrease (which we don’t regret!) but that did cause us to accrue some debt. We of course want to live debt free, but for the season we are in, we have some debt that we are actively working to pay off.
Tithing vs. New Testament Giving
It’ is worth noting:
- The 10% tithe is clearly commanded in the Old Testament
- The New Testament emphasizes generous, cheerful giving, not a fixed number
Jesus praised the widow who gave very little, but she gave sacrificially and sincerely.
The Widow’s Offering:
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”” Mark 12:41–44.
A Balanced, Practical Approach
Many Christians in debt choose something like this:
- Give something (even if not 10%)
- Stay consistent
- Work intentionally toward becoming debt-free
- Increase giving as margin grows
This keeps the muscle of generosity going without ignoring wisdom. If all you can give is $30 a month so that you aren’t increasing the amount of debt you owe, that is perfectly fine! The goal is to pay off debt fast and increase giving.
Heart-Check Questions to Ask Yourself
Instead of only asking “Should I tithe while in debt?”, try asking:
- Am I giving in faith—or in fear?
- Am I using debt as an excuse not to give to God?
- Am I withholding because I don’t trust God—or because I need to be wise?
God is not looking to punish you financially. He cares about your heart, obedience, and freedom. Whatever option you choose, lean on the Lord to
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