Ask Fred > Family > How do I deal with tithing when I am in debt?
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Dear Fred
How do I deal with tithing when I am in debt?
Fred's Response
I am troubled by your inability to live on 90% of your income. Are you buying luxuries that you really cannot afford? Are you failing to delay gratification and using your credit card unwisely? The best advice I ever received was from a little booklet called, "The Richest Man In Babylon." It said that all but 10% is yours to keep. I have always given my tithe plus saving at least 10%. This meant I had to live on 80% of my income, do without luxuries with very little disposable income. We did without a car, lived in one rented room until we saved enough to go for a year without an income. This gave me financial freedom. I find most people will not reduce their standard of living so that they can save, much less tithe. Regarding using the tithe or delaying it...I heard a Bible teacher say that according to the scripture you are to give God 20% interest. I am not sure of the scripture but if we give credit card companies interest it might be good to give God at least that much. There are some Christians who don't give the tithe because the scripture says that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and they feel that they can't give cheerfully so they give an average of 2%. I don't agree with this theology. There are five articles archived on the website about money. Click on writings, click on money and then choose the one that you want.
