Comments on: Should Christians Tithe While Paying Off Debt?

By: The Carnival of Personal Finance #226 – The AFM Turn’s 5 Edition | AllFinancialMatters

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:56:48 +0000

[...] • Should Christians Tithe While Paying Off Debt? [...]

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:06:17 +0000

Jon,

Thanks for suggesting the Pro Rata plan. This is another option that I didn’t discuss. As you said, the credit card companies will very seldom sue if you are paying them something. Of course when you don’t pay miniumum payments to any of your creditors, they will all bump the interest rates and none will be happy. But the pro rata is a fair way of knowing you are doing what you are able to do and paying each what you are able to pay.

Sending the pro rata form and budget each month is also a great idea. Communication is key.

Thanks for reading!

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:34:57 +0000

I believe you should tithe, and pay for groceries, utilities, home, clothing if needed first. Then pay cars, credit cards, unsecured debt. Dave Ramsey suggests using the Pro Rata repayment plan where you take each debt and divide by total debt, then multiple that by the money you have to pay debt. Send a copy of the pro rata form as well as a copy of your budget to you debtors and they should be willing to work with you. Also, remember credit card companies are very unlikely to sue you if you are paying ANYTHING! Cars, you should sell if you can’t pay for them! Blessings!
Jon´s last blog ..Sleepy and Tired…

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:03:32 +0000

Joe Taxpayer and Jesse,

I must confess that I never really considered the idea of tithing one’s time until I started doing research for this post. Doing so does seem to make sense for some people, depending on their debt loads. I wonder if Darren and Cynthia could have avoided bankruptcy by trying that tact.

By: Joe Plemon

Joe Plemon — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:01:02 +0000

Bob,

I read your post about tithing before I wrote this one. As always, you gave me food for thought. I appreciate the way you say that tithing worked for you without saying that everyone should do what you did.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:23:20 +0000

In the old days, tithes weren’t strictly money and people gave food, time and service. I think tithing is a must and I have tithed my entire life. I wouldn’t even consider not doing it when paying off debt but that may just be because it’s so ingrained in me, I pay it without even thinking about it but I think some in this situation could be more creative with their tithes.

If you have a certain skill, and a little free time, give service as a tithe. If you have excess food, give that to someone in need. It may be hard to figure out what 10% of your life/time/food is but the man upstairs will understand.
Jesse´s last blog ..Modest Meals: Oven Baked Tilapia with Veggies

By: ChristianPF

ChristianPF — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:18:51 +0000

Joe, I know discussions like this get a variety of responses, but I will say this. I was at a point where I didn't have enough to pay the bills and tithe and I continued to tithe while trusting God to provide and I saw some pretty amazing and unexpected sources of provision show up (I wrote about it here). So I can't speak for everyone, but it worked for us.

By: JoeTaxpayer

JoeTaxpayer — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:09:49 +0000

A number of posts have started implying that any credit card use isn’t just irresponsible, but immoral. That credit card use is like making a deal with the devil. Whether I believe that or not, I think there is a greater good attainable once that debt is gone. Consider, if you make $40K, but are paying $2000/yr in interest, that’s quite a burden. Tithe as well, and you are taking 15% off the top without even funding retirement.
I suggest going at that debt with a vengeance, go with your idea of donating time, and then once the debt is gone, you will be able to donate money again.
I’d like to see more focus on the time idea. For most, money is tight, and there are few ways to raise more cash on 4 hours per week. But the time can be more valuable than money. Time you donate to a cause translates into money they don’t have to spend. A house of worship needs painting? Congregants can do it in a couple days, and save the cost of a professional hire. Every community has more opportunities to volunteer than people ever willing to do it.
JoeTaxpayer´s last blog ..Evil Credit Cards