Tithing is the ancient practice of setting aside a portion of your income, usually to support your religion. Churches use tithes to support their basic operations and spiritual projects, so many people believe tithing is necessary to bring faith to others and stabilize religious organizations. Not everyone agrees on what amount you should tithe while in debt, with decreasing tithing to accommodate creditors being a major point of contention.
The Tithe Amount
The amount you should tithe varies based on the religion you follow, but in most cases, 10 percent of your income is standard. The amount is supposed to be sufficient to support the financial costs related to the operation of your faith, but not so great that you are left struggling financially. People have tithed based on this amount for thousands of years, as is evident in the Old Testament of the Bible and other religious texts.
The Conflict
People sometimes argue the tithe amount must be paid before all debt. Their rationale is that entering into a credit agreement doesn't exclude you from the laws of your religion. Under this mentality, by giving to God first, you exercise your faith, which God will reward by giving you any extra money you need to handle your debts. The other side of the argument is that, because God has no immediate need for your funds and because God values keeping promises, you should pay your debts as agreed.
Advantages and Disadvantages
If you decide to decrease tithing to pay off debt, you have a financial advantage in that you can pay down what you owe, thereby decreasing the amount you pay in interest on the principal. Your credit score also may rise because your credit history will show a debt paid in full. That, along with your lowered debt-to-income ratio, may help when it comes to getting financing later. However, people who believe strongly in paying the full tithe amount may not support your decision. They may see you as not committed to your faith.
Legal Issues
Michelle Singletary of "The Washington Post" points out that the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) of 2005 eliminated the protection of the Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act (RLCDPA) of 1998. Under RLCDPA, you could withhold some money from a creditor to pay a tithe for your faith. The idea behind this law was to protect freedom to practice the religion of your choosing. As of 2011, BAPCPA means that the government likely will take the side of your creditor if you fail to pay -- that is, the law supports the idea of decreasing tithing to meet debt obligations.
The Bottom Line
Arguments for and against decreasing tithing to pay off debt have merit. Therefore, barring outright response from God about the issue, there is no way to prove whether decreasing or maintaining your tithe is more appropriate. On religion alone, the decision about whether to give less to your faith thus may come down to what side you feel compelled to take. However, in the eyes of the government, your religion is not an excuse to ignore your financial contracts. You may be legally better off if you decrease what you tithe and pay what you owe.
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