Dave Ramsey Tells Pastors to Stop Asking ‘Broke’ People to Tithe

Dave Ramsey says pastors should not ask “broke people” to tithe until they first work on their debt and budgeting.

Ramsey, author of Financial Peace University, says those people need to become better stewards of their money before they can give to the church.

“Unless,” he said, “you’ve done two sermons on … debt — one on getting out of debt and one on getting on a budget.

“That’s the ratio for me instead of just tithe, tithe, tithe,” he said. But when pastors fail to address debt and setting a budget, he said, the reaction to a sermon about tithing is often “yeah right, I’ve got a light bill. That’s a great spiritual concept. Maybe someday I’ll get around to that.'”

He says that tithing will become natural once that person is out of debt, following a budget and committed to serving God.

“When you stand up in front of your congregation, you’re looking at a large number of people who do not have the ability to handle their money,” he said.

“Quit preaching tithe lessons to broke people,” he said. “Let’s teach them how to get on a budget. … The natural byproduct of a Jesus lover when they have money is giving.”

Earlier this year, Ramsey offered his Financial Peace University class for free to pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention’s meeting in June.

Not everyone agrees with Ramsey’s advice, however, Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial…