What is Tithing - and How Does it Fit into Your Family's Budget?
If you've ever wondered how to balance giving generously with keeping your household budget in order, you're not alone. As a Christian mom, I've had to learn how to faithfully give - even when life feels busy, unpredictable, or expensive.
In this post, I want to walk you through:
If you've ever wondered how to balance giving generously with keeping your household budget in order, you're not alone. As a Christian mom, I've had to learn how to faithfully give - even when life feels busy, unpredictable, or expensive.
In this post, I want to walk you through:
- What tithing actually is
- Why it matters
- And how to make it a consistent part of your family's financial rhythm
What is Tithing, Really?
The word tithe literally means "a tenth" - and biblically, it refers to fiving the first 10% of your income back to God through the local church.
It's not about checking a religious box. It's about saying:
"God, you are my provider. I trust You first."
Tithing shows that we're not ruled by our money - we're let by our faith.
But, it's Hard To Tithe When Money is Tight!
Yes. It can be. Especially when you're already juggling diapers, groceries, preschool tuition, and trying to save for the future.
But here's what I've learned:
- Tithing is less about your bank account and more about your heart.
- It's about obedience - not perfection.
- And it teaches your kids that generosity starts at home.
Some months feel easier than others. But when we tithe, we've never gone without.
How We Budget for Tithing as a Family
We treat giving just like any other non-negotiable expense - like our mortgage or electricity.
Here's our process:
- Tithe 10% immediately after each paycheck.
- Use budgeting tools like EveryDollar or Google Sheets to plan around the rest.
- We build our budget after we give - not the other way around.
It's a mindset shift that changes everything.
Tools That Help Us Stay on Track
To stay organized and faithful in our finances, we use:
- EveryDollar - a simple budgeting app that works well with zero-based budgeting
- Google Sheets - for custom giving goals and tracking.
- Budget Planner - if you prefer a paper based approach, I LOVE these planners.
Want to see how we set up our "Tithe First" family budget? I've created a simple worksheet to help get you started. Download it here.
Final Thoughts: Tithing Isn't About Money
It's about what happens in your heart when you put God first - before the bills, before the wants, before the worry.
If you've been hesitant to tithe or unsure how to make it work practically, let this be your encouragement: You can give faithfully AND live wisely. God honors both.
**This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I truly love. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission - at no cost to you.**
