Top 10 Reasons People Give for Not Tithing

By: Dr. Charles Stone (edited)

Tithing in its simplest form, means giving back to God 10 percent of what you make. I’ve practiced it for years as a regular part of my giving. I tithe ‘plus’ to my local church and I give to other causes on top of that.

However, throughout my 35 years of ministry I’ve seen 10 common reasons that church people give for not tithing.

10 Reasons People Give...

1.  It’s all mine anyway. Why should I give?

2.  I give elsewhere. This is the person who counts his giving to secular causes, his time or paying for his child’s Christian school tuition as his tithe.

3.  Tithing is not in the New Testament. This is one of the most common.

4.  God will provide through other people. This person believes that other people will give to support the cause of Christ in their church.

5.  My gifts don’t really count. This person thinks that because he can’t give much, his giving really doesn’t matter.

6.  I don’t trust preachers. This is understandable due to the few high profile ministers who misuse God’s money.

7.  I only give to projects I like. This is the control freak who only gives to projects he or she can designate funds to. Some people in this category even hold back their giving in their church because they haven’t gotten their way.

8.  I have no control over my finances. My husband does. In this case (and it’s almost always a wife in this position) her husband controls the finances and although the wife wants to give, he prohibits it.

9.  I will tithe when I can afford it.

10.  I’m afraid to. These people honestly fear what might happen to them or their family if they give.

What reasons have you heard or given, to justify not giving or tithing? 

Dr. Charles Stone is Lead Pastor at West Park Church in London, Ontario, Canada, and the founder of StoneWell Ministries.