Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, we are looking at a troubling teaching from Brian Carn where the message is essentially: pay your tithes even if you cannot pay your bills. This is the kind of teaching that has harmed so many people in the church, especially those who are already struggling financially.
Original video: youtube.com/watch?v=Ox1Kt3nmUcE
There is a major difference between biblical generosity and religious manipulation. The Bible does teach Christians to be generous. The Bible does teach giving. The Bible does teach supporting ministry and caring for others. But the New Testament does not teach believers to neglect their household responsibilities, fall behind on bills, or put their families in danger because a preacher told them God must get the tithe first.
That is not shepherding. That is pressure.
1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” That verse matters. A Christian has a real responsibility to care for his or her household. A preacher should never make people feel guilty for paying rent, buying food, keeping the lights on, caring for children, or handling basic needs.
The prosperity gospel often teaches people to give out of desperation. It tells them that if they are broke, the answer is to sow. If they are behind, the answer is to tithe. If they cannot pay bills, the answer is to give anyway and trust God. But many times, that kind of teaching does not help poor people. It exploits them.
In the New Testament, giving is not supposed to be forced, pressured, threatened, or manipulated. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says each one must give as he has decided in his heart, “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If a person is being told they are cursed, disobedient, robbing God, or out of order because they paid bills instead of giving money to a preacher, that is compulsion.
And let’s be honest: many of these same preachers telling struggling people to tithe before paying bills are not living like the people they are pressuring. They are not wondering if the lights will stay on. They are not trying to figure out how to feed their children. They are not choosing between rent and groceries. But they will stand in the pulpit and tell poor people to prove their faith with money.
That is a serious problem.
Jesus rebuked religious leaders who placed heavy burdens on people but would not lift a finger to help them. Matthew 23:4 says, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders.” That is exactly what happens when preachers turn giving into a burden instead of teaching biblical generosity with wisdom, compassion, and truth.
The Bible does not teach that God needs your money before you take care of your family. God is not broke. God is not dependent on the poor to fund His kingdom. God is not sitting in heaven waiting for a desperate person to miss a bill so He can finally bless them.
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In this video, we are looking at a troubling teaching from Brian Carn where the message is essentially: pay your tithes even if you cannot pay your bills. This is the kind of teaching that has harmed so many people in the church, especially those who are already struggling financially.
Original video: youtube.com/watch?v=Ox1Kt3nmUcE
There is a major difference between biblical generosity and religious manipulation. The Bible does teach Christians to be generous. The Bible does teach giving. The Bible does teach supporting ministry and caring for others. But the New Testament does not teach believers to neglect their household responsibilities, fall behind on bills, or put their families in danger because a preacher told them God must get the tithe first.
That is not shepherding. That is pressure.
1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” That verse matters. A Christian has a real responsibility to care for his or her household. A preacher should never make people feel guilty for paying rent, buying food, keeping the lights on, caring for children, or handling basic needs.
The prosperity gospel often teaches people to give out of desperation. It tells them that if they are broke, the answer is to sow. If they are behind, the answer is to tithe. If they cannot pay bills, the answer is to give anyway and trust God. But many times, that kind of teaching does not help poor people. It exploits them.
In the New Testament, giving is not supposed to be forced, pressured, threatened, or manipulated. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says each one must give as he has decided in his heart, “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If a person is being told they are cursed, disobedient, robbing God, or out of order because they paid bills instead of giving money to a preacher, that is compulsion.
And let’s be honest: many of these same preachers telling struggling people to tithe before paying bills are not living like the people they are pressuring. They are not wondering if the lights will stay on. They are not trying to figure out how to feed their children. They are not choosing between rent and groceries. But they will stand in the pulpit and tell poor people to prove their faith with money.
That is a serious problem.
Jesus rebuked religious leaders who placed heavy burdens on people but would not lift a finger to help them. Matthew 23:4 says, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders.” That is exactly what happens when preachers turn giving into a burden instead of teaching biblical generosity with wisdom, compassion, and truth.
The Bible does not teach that God needs your money before you take care of your family. God is not broke. God is not dependent on the poor to fund His kingdom. God is not sitting in heaven waiting for a desperate person to miss a bill so He can finally bless them.
Software I use (Ecamm) Sign up with this link: ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=christopher23
AFFILIATES
Amazon: amazon.com/shop/allthingstheology
Covenant Eyes: covenanteyes.sjv.io/zNYmqG
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCrLO95wGXUW0fY00Rss4aGw/join
Website: kdubtru.com
Music: open.spotify.com/artist/1TohVbZFbpZsW5yubbhYm3
Subscribe & click 🛎 for notifications of premieres and live
streams!
Follow me on social media:
Twitter.com/kdubtru
Facebook.com/allthingstheology
instagram.com/kdub.tru
SUPPORT:
Patreon.com/kdubtru
Listen on podcast: https://anchor.fm/allthingstheology
Email for interviews or booking:
allthingstheology@gmail.com
