Question: I want to start paying tithes, but my husband said we can’t afford it because we can hardly make ends meet as it is. I told him we should pay tithes before we pay anything else, because we owe that to God. My husband goes to church and he has accepted Christ, but does not study the Bible. I asked him to read a booklet on tithing. Since I take care of paying the bills, should I go ahead and pay our tithes even if we are behind on our bills? I don’t know what to do. I am not working. When I was, I gave large offerings, but now I don’t feel at liberty to do so. Can you help?

Marge

Answer: Dear Marge,

The information you provide is general, and my answer is general – and I answer assuming that you understand that a specific percentage of tithing/giving is not required for salvation, and that you will give to the church/ministry where you receive your regular spiritual nourishment, etc.

The case you describe is not unusual – two spouses, one wishes to tithe, the other does not. Of course, there can be variables – one works, the other does not. Both work, but their income is shared equally to meet all expenses. Both work but one pays major expenses, the other saves, takes care of car payments, or whatever.

In most cases, most ministers and pastors that I know advise that the couple consider their total income, and that the spouse who wishes to tithe does so on his/her ½ of the total income – respecting the rights of their husband/wife who does not wish to do so. This is a general understanding that many have come to, and has worked for many – but every case is different.

You introduced the matter of paying tithes before or even instead of bills – this is a matter between an individual and God – I cannot comment except to urge caution, for while God honors our devotion, neither does he wish us to exercise blind faith or to be financially irresponsible.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht