Should Christians give money when they are struggling financially?
The Bible promotes giving but does not say that a person should overlook their basic responsibilities, go into debt, or put themselves in financial jeopardy just to prove their faith. Christian giving is to be done with a willing heart, discernment, and love—not out of guilt, pressure, or fear.
This can be a difficult subject.
Maybe you wish to help someone.
You may feel guilty about saying no.
You would think a good Christian should always donate when there is need.
And there are times when churches, family, friends, or even your own conscience can make you feel that keeping money for yourself is selfish.
But there is an important difference between being generous and financially harming yourself.
He also cares about the person giving it.
What Does the Bible Say About Giving Willingly?
2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that each person should contribute what they have determined in their heart to give, “not grudgingly, or of necessity.”
This is important.
Biblical giving shouldn’t be a matter of obligation.
It should not be based on manipulation.
It should not come from a man scaring you that God will punish you if you cannot contribute more.
God values the heart behind the gift.
Sometimes you might offer $100 with joy.
At another time you might properly be able to give only $10.
And in a rough season you may not be able to offer money at all.
Your financial situation is important.
Giving Does Not Mean Ignoring Your Own Responsibilities
You have bills to pay.
You still need to eat.
You may need medication.
You need transportation.
You need housing.
Those responsibilities don’t go away because someone else has a need.
First Timothy 5:8 has a lot to say about taking care of your household.
That tells us something important about financial stewardship:
Taking care of legitimate responsibilities is also part of living faithfully.
If giving away your rent money means you cannot pay your landlord, that is not smart.
If helping someone forces you to use a high-interest credit card for groceries afterward, you should stop and think.
Generosity should not automatically create another emergency.
Is It Selfish to Say No When Someone Asks for Money?
No.
Saying no does not automatically make you selfish.
Sometimes, “no” is just the truth.
You haven’t got enough money.
Perhaps you have financial obligations already.
Maybe you want to get out of debt.
You may need to rebuild your savings.
You can come to a realization that giving them money often isn’t really helping them in changing their situation.
A loving answer is not necessarily yes.
This aligns very closely to When God Says Do Not Help, since sometimes wisdom is knowing when helping is unhealthy.
You Can Be Generous Without Giving Money
Money is only one form of generosity.
Maybe you can’t give someone $50.
Could you give them a ride?
Help them find a resource?
Cook a meal from food you already have?
Help them with paperwork?
Give them clothes you don’t need?
Are you looking to post a job opening?
Pray with them?
Sometimes what a person needs most is not money.
Generosity can include time, knowledge, encouragement, practical help, and compassion.
What About Tithing When Money Is Tight?
Christians have different beliefs about how Old Testament tithing applies to believers today. Some churches teach that Christians should give ten percent.
Others stress the New Testament idea of voluntary, joyous, proportionate giving rather than a necessary percentage.
Because faithful Christians interpret this differently, it is wise not to turn the subject into a source of fear.
Second Corinthians 8:12 gives an especially helpful principle: a gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what they do not have.
That is a powerful reminder.
God is not asking you to give money that you simply do not have.
Do Not Give Just Because You Feel Guilty
Guilt can cause people to make bad financial decisions.
You’re told what someone’s problem is.
You feel bad.
Your hand goes straight for your wallet.
And then you learn you need that money for something very important.
Before you donate, give yourself permission to think about it.
You could say:
“First let me see what my budget is.”
That is not coldhearted.
That is wisdom.
You do not have to make financial decisions under emotional pressure.
Look at Your Own Financial Condition First
Before giving a significant amount, ask yourself whether your basic responsibilities are covered.
If you can’t pay your own important expenses right now, you may need to focus on stabilizing your situation first.
If this is where you are right now: How do you trust God when you can’t pay all your bills? might help you cope with the current pressure.
And if you are always low income, read How Can I Have Financial Peace When My Income Is Low?
It’s not possible to give from money that doesn’t exist.
Generosity Should Not Keep You Trapped in Debt
Suppose someone asks you for $100.
You give it.
Then you have to charge $100 worth of groceries because you gave away the money you needed.
In reality, you did not have $100 available to give.
You borrowed it indirectly.
That does not mean you should never sacrifice for someone.
There may be times when you freely choose to give up something you wanted in order to help another person.
But there’s a difference between making a sacrifice and consistently tossing your own finances into chaotic conditions.
If you’re already struggling with debt, What does the Bible say about debt and financial stress? may help you choose where your financial attention needs to go first.
Saving Money Is Not Automatically Selfish Either
Sometimes people feel guilty for keeping money in savings when someone around them needs help.
But savings can serve an important purpose.
An emergency fund can help you avoid debt.
It can help you handle an unexpected medical bill.
It can help you replace something essential.
It can give you stability when income changes.
Saving can be part of responsible stewardship.
If you are working on this area, read What Does the Bible Say About Saving Money for the Future?
You do not have to empty your emergency fund every time someone else experiences a problem.
Be Careful About Becoming Everyone’s Financial Solution
Some generous people eventually become the person everyone calls for help.
One child needs money.
A sibling needs help.
A friend needs a loan.
Someone needs groceries.
Someone needs help with rent.
Someone needs gas money.
One request becomes another.
Soon the generous person is struggling too.
You are allowed to have limits.
You can care deeply about people without becoming responsible for solving every financial problem around you.
Sometimes the healthiest sentence is
“I love you, but I can’t financially help with this.”
That is not cruelty.
That is a boundary.
What If You Have More Than Enough?
And there will be seasons where you really have room to give.
Maybe the bills are all paid.
Your needs are met.
You’ve got money saved up.
And you notice someone who really needs help.
These can be beautiful occasions to be generous.
Maybe you can help quietly, with no strings attached.
You may be able to meet a need that no one else sees.
Generosity is most meaningful when it is an act of freedom, not pressure.
Ask God for Wisdom Before You Give
Not all financial questions have the same answer.
Sometimes the answer is “yes.”
Sometimes it may be less than the individual asked.
Sometimes it is practical help and not money.
Sometimes it could be “no.”
Prayer can help you separate compassion from pressure.
You can ask:
“Lord, do you want me to help with this?”
“Do I have the ability to do this responsibly?
“Would money actually help this person?
“Am I saying yes out of guilt?
“Is there another way I can help?”
Wisdom is also part of generosity.
You Do Not Have to Prove Your Faith With Your Wallet
Keeping yourself financially strapped is not a test of your faith according to God.
A big gift given in fear is not always more spiritual than a small present offered in love.
A person with very little may give a few dollars.
Some other person might give hundreds.
The amount alone does not tell the whole story.
Jesus repeatedly looked at the heart.
Your gift must be an act of love, wisdom, gratitude, and willingness, not competition or shame.
A Prayer for Wisdom About Giving
Our Heavenly Father,
Help me to be wise with the money you have put in my hands.
Grant me generosity, but not recklessness.
If there is someone in need, show me if I should contribute, how much I should give, or some other way I might be of service.”
Deliver me from guilt and anxiety and terror.
Help me to meet the responsibilities You have already given me.
Teach me to give freely when I can and say “No” politely when I cannot.
Keep my heart compassionate, but not to think I have to do anything about every situation around me.
Help me to trust you with my needs and the needs of others.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Generosity and Wisdom Can Exist Together
You do not have to choose between having a generous heart and having financial boundaries.
You can care about people.
You can give when you are able.
You can save.
You can pay your bills.
You can reduce debt.
You can say no when necessary.
And you can still be a generous Christian.
Faithful stewardship is not simply about how much money leaves your hands.
It is also about using what you have with wisdom.
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