Can You Tithe in This Season? A Biblical Framework for Busy Moms
Today we're going to talk about something that might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but I want you to know this is coming from a place of peace, not pressure. Just because you're in a chaotic season of motherhood doesn't mean you can't pay attention to your money. In fact, because money is flying through our hands right now: the diapers, the bottles, the new clothes because they grow like weeds... we actually have to be more intentional, not less.
If you're ready for a biblical framework for money that works in the messy middle, this one is for you.
More Money Doesn't Fix Your Habits... It Magnifies Them
I want to start by asking you something. If you made $900,000 this year (and if you're a business owner, I'm talking $900,000 in profit) would you feel set for life? Would you think, oh my gosh, we've made it, I can finally breathe?
Most people would. That's a big number. It's almost a million dollars.
But here's something I've learned: more money doesn't fix your habits. It actually magnifies them.
I'm working with a client right now who has made around that amount ($900,000 in profit) consecutively over recent years. And today we are completely rebuilding their financial life. They spent it all and then some. We are paying off hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and they have no assets to liquidate. No car, no house, nothing of value they can sell to get out of the hole. There's just a lot of cleanup to be made.
And they are facing it, owning it, doing the work, and I give them so much credit for that. Something they said to me recently really hit me. They said, "This time I want it to be different. I want tried and proven principles that will make my money last. I'll do the boring thing."
Because in this Instagram world, we see all these people talking about fancy ways to build wealth. And it has worked for some people. But for a lot of people, it hasn't. The flashy stuff is okay to do — as long as you do the tried and proven stuff first.
Whether you make $90,000 or $900,000, it's not about the number. It's about your stewardship.
Let Me Be Honest With You
There was a season when I thought, we'll focus on being generous later. Maybe when the debt is gone, or when we make more money, or when we find a church we love.
But those were honestly just excuses to not trust God fully. We were deeply convicted that trusting God with our life meant trusting God with our wallets too.
We've been tithing consistently now for about eight years, and I want to share more about this with you. Some of you messaged me on Instagram wanting to dive deeper on this topic — so I'm tackling it head on. And honestly, I think this is going to be a big anchor in this podcast, so this won't be the last time I address it.
What the Bible Actually Says
Let's start the best way I know how: with scripture.
2 Corinthians 9:6–13 says:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
It goes on to say that through our generosity, others will praise God — not praise us, but praise Him.
That is what giving is all about. Trusting the Lord that He would be glorified in this, and that others would see Him through it.
Three Things I Want You to Take From This
1. God is after your heart, not your money.
Paul says to give what you've decided in your heart, not reluctantly, not under pressure. God isn't after our money. If He wanted our money, He could get it. He's after our hearts. He wants us to be sanctified through Him.
When He says we will be enriched in every way, I don't believe that's just financial. This is not the prosperity gospel. We don't give just to get more money. It's so that our souls are enriched. Something just shifts when you give cheerfully. Your fear loosens. Your trust deepens. My husband and I have seen this over and over again — it's not always instant financial breakthroughs, but it's peace and a closer relationship with the Lord. And honestly, sometimes the math just doesn't make sense, and we've seen God bless us anyway.
2. It's bigger than you.
Your giving causes someone else to thank God. I really want you to let that sink in.
Your obedience becomes someone else's testimony. Verse 13 says others will praise God because of your generosity.
Your stewardship in this chaotic, loud, dirty-floor season matters. You may feel like you're just trying to survive. But when you steward intentionally, when you give, when you plant a seed — God will use that. And that seed can be so small. Imagine what He can grow from the tiny little thing you put down. Whether that's $100 or $20, whatever you can truly give to trust the Lord — He will use you as a vessel.
3. How to start, practically.
If you heard the word tithe and immediately felt pressure, take a deep breath. This is not about legalism. Jesus already fulfilled the law. He already paid the price, and we are not saved by giving 10%. We're saved by His grace, period.
Because we are no longer under the law, we are not obligated to give, we are invited to give. And giving does something to your heart that nothing else does.
Now, does God want us to give 10%? Yes, and honestly... it's just a starting point. The word tithe literally means a tenth, rooted in the Old Covenant. But just because it started there doesn't mean the principle disappeared.
If you're just getting started, here's my encouragement: start where you can. I really do believe 10% is the baseline. And I know that can feel impossible — but sometimes you have to do the scary thing to lean on the Lord and ask Him to grow your faith. Most of the moms I talk to have their basic needs met. I would bet that you can give 10%... you just haven't tracked it yet or seen it yet. So I want to invite you to ask the Lord to reveal that to you, and make sure you're not hanging on to money too tightly or spending on other things before you give faithfully.
Tithing is not about earning favor. It's about positioning your heart. And sometimes obedience comes before understanding. In fact, it usually does.
This Season Doesn't Disqualify You
Just because this season is chaotic doesn't mean you're disqualified from stewarding well. In fact, it means we should lean in more — because money is moving so fast. The sports registrations, the new uniforms, the date nights, the thing the kids just broke that needs replacing. That is not an excuse to not pay attention. We should view our stewardship as an honorable responsibility and not take it lightly.
Your intentionality protects your peace and invites you into a deeper relationship with the Lord — not to earn blessing, because He has already been so generous with us. When we align our money with our faith, others will see Him through that. Even through our grocery budget, our giving, or just the way we talk about money in the first place.
Your stewardship matters more than you think.
My prayer for you is that if this spoke to you, you would feel convicted — not ashamed. Those are two very different things. I'm praying for you, friend.
If you liked this blog post, make sure to head over to our podcast and listen to the full episode!
Episode 6 | Can You Tithe in This Season? A Biblical Framework for Busy Moms
Connect with me on Instagram and let me know if this encouraged you. I would love to hear what God is impressing upon you in this season!
