NORFOLK -- Many people struggling to make ends meet are keeping the faith. For some, that means giving up some things to give to the church.
"I was brought up to send something and give something to God," said 87-year-old Natalyn Catalano.
She’s tithed for years to the ministry of Rock Church in Va. Beach. Now, with mounting medical bills from two years of illness and having a limited income, she’s using the 10% she gave to the church for her needs.
It raises the question – do you give your 10% no matter what you’re facing? Some in the religious community say it’s important to give even in a struggle; others say God understands the hard times.
"It's a spiritual principal, not a legalistic requirement," says Pastor Dan Backens of New Life Providence. "I would never say to somebody ‘if you don't tithe, the devil's gonna get you.’ I'd rather say ‘if you do tithe, then you'll receive God's blessings."
Michael Palmer, the dean of Divinity at Regent University, concurs.
"The real principle is what can you do with a joyful heart, not what you are bound to do because of some rule that's given," he said.
That rule is an often-used verse from the Bible - Malachi 3:10. It says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house. Test me in this.”
Bishop Clarence Russell, pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Norfolk, says believers should tithe in tough economic times.
"If you do it in faith, then I believe your financial difficulties will soon diminish and I've seen it happen in church," he states.
Bishop Russell makes his case saying his congregation has helped 250 people get out of $2 million of credit card debit in six years.
"You can't be a servant to Mastercard and a servant to the Lord," he adds.
At Rock Church, Pastor Anne Gimenez preaches tithing, particularly if you’re struggling financially.
Catalano hears that message, but she knows she can’t give to Rock Church like she used to. But she wants to continue to give in some way – even a dollar or two when she has it.
