5 Ways to Donate in the Church When You’re Broke

It isn’t always easy to donate financially to the church each month or each week. Maybe you’re having a hard time making ends meet or maybe your spouse isn’t willing to donate to the church. Whatever your situation may be, it can leave you feeling like you’re not contributing as you should be. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to donate in the church when you’re broke! Here are five fun and unique ways you can serve…

How to donate to the church when you're broke

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I have shared about my previous struggle with debt and what the Bible says about Christians being in debt… I used to believe 7 lies about debt that I struggled to overcome. You can read more about those here and how God set me free.

How to donate when you’re broke

The Bible urges us to trust God with our finances (and everything else đŸ™‚ ). It mentions the first ten percent of our fruits should be offered up to the Lord. But, we aren’t always ready to trust Him, to put it bluntly. There are times we feel like this isn’t possible and we don’t.

Or as I mentioned, maybe our spouse doesn’t want to tithe and the topic has come up time and time again and tithing just isn’t happening right now.

and to bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of all kinds of trees, year by year, to Yahweh’s house Nehemiah 10:35 WEB

Whatever, the situation is, give it to God. He will guide you.

At this time though, God has provided other ways for us to serve in His church. If we can’t give money, we can donate our time.

Ways to Donate in Church when you're broke

5 unique ways to donate in Church when you’re broke

1. Ways to Donate when You’re broke: Pray

We can pray for the leaders of our Bible studies, Pastors of our church and the leaders of our nation. Spending time with God and asking Him for protection and strength for our Christian leaders shouldn’t be overlooked.

They have a huge job and need God’s perseverance and courage.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. James 1:5-6 WEB

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2. Encourage a persecuted christian

This is the coolest way I have ever donated my time. Did you know that you can write a quick encouraging letter to a persecuted Christian online?!

Recently, another blogger wrote about a company called Open Doors and so I went to check it out. They have set up their website so you can actually leave a couple of Bible verses and an encouraging letter for a persecuted Christian in another country!! How amazing is that?

It shocks me how God blesses His followers using the internet. He’s so techy, lol.

Note: They have some guidelines on their website, so be sure to read the rules.

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love, and into the perseverance of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

3. Ways to Donate when you’re broke: Serve in your church

You’re probably thinking, “Well, duh…” But seriously, there are so many parts to running a church, there is no doubt you can find something you’re passionate about.

For example, I love to bake, so when we have a funeral at our church, I bake for the meal. It is just a simple way to serve that speaks to my interests. In addition, my husband loves to meet new people, so we are greeters. So, you can see how you can take what you love and serve God with it.

More ideas: Helping with music, connecting new attendees with people the same age or of similar interests, teach Bible study, play with the kids in the nursery, help in the kitchen during events, send a card to a member who had a baby… The sky is the limit to His hands and feet.

Serve Yahweh with gladness. Come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2 WEB

4. Volunteer for Service opportunities

Churches have these great opportunities to volunteer your time when you’re broke! There are ways to be stretched spiritually by giving back.

For example, our church packs backpacks of food for the working poor who can’t afford to bring their own lunch. Also, our church serves supper to the homeless.

Maybe you’re not interested in any of the ways your church serves, but you are interested in donating your time by rocking babies at the hospital or helping another mom out who needs childcare. Be creative, use your interests to serve God’s church!

As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 WEB

5. Invite others into your home

The Bible encourages us to welcome people into our homes often! This is so interesting to me because I only noticed it recently… I thought, “Man, there’s a theme here. I wonder why…” Honestly, I think that is because it is easy to be nice to people at church or at work (some days, lol) and then at home we get comfortable and we stop serving.

God calls us to invite them in, take them in and break bread with them! So, throw a potluck with others from your neighborhood and show them the love of Jesus, have your pastor over, or maybe even have your coworkers over!

And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 WEB

A challenge for donating to your church

This month, I challenge you to step out in faith and donate. If you are unable to donate financially due to an opposing family member, pray boldly this month for God to soften their heart towards tithing.

Let’s see how God uses this boldness, takes our trust and turns it into something beautiful. Something only He can do…

Keep me posted!

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8 Comments

  1. This is a great line of thinking to get us thinking about the fact that our God is a generous God and we are also meant to be generous, in the church and outside of it. Your list is great. My sense is that whether we are tithing or not it would be scriptural to be involved in at least one area from you list . ????

  2. I love all these suggestions! There are so many ways that we can give to the church beyond money, and a place for everyone to use their gifts and to feel like they are making the church better with their service and love!

  3. What a great post! Sometimes it’s hard to give financially, but people need to know there are other ways to give. Prayer is always an important and overlooked way that we can contribute to our local churches! Pray for the pastor, ministers, choir, etc. It’s all welcome and needed.

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