text: why are those who don't tithe or contribute what the can afford in church treated like second class members? now, i know this may get some peoples dander up but it's exactly the reason why i can't get my family to attend church. we've had a bad experience with several denominations where those giving 10% of their income to the church are treated far better than those that cannot afford to. if i did, my family would go hungry - hence i can't get my family to attend. it's really frustrating. i do sympathize with you, and it is unfortunate that people have such an attitude towards you and your family.  there is a spiritual principle involved in tithing, and it is best expressed in ecclesiastes 11:1, "cast your bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."  in other words, what you give to god will be returned to you in abundance.  also, in isaiah 55:11, "so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which i please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto i sent it."    i quote these two scriptures to let you know that whatever you give to the church will be measured back to you proportionately.  i understand that you have obligations to your family that you must meet and the bible is very clear on the subject of a man meeting those obligations.  do not allow the ignorance of some people to keep you out of church.  give what you can and the lord will increase your income and your ability to give.  giving does not always have to involve money---time as a volunteer in the church can be of more value than money