These days budgets definitely seem tighter, spending is reined in and giving beyond the tithe may seem impossible. But giving beyond your 10% tithe doesn’t have to mean giving more money. Here are a few examples of ways you can give without spending more money. It’s about giving your time, your talents and your love.

Mow Yards for the Elderly

In my area there’s an organization called Diligent Hands Gracious Hearts. They team up volunteers with elderly residents who need help caring for their lawns. Many are widows who can no longer tackle the task themselves. If you like to mow and you’ve got a lawnmower this could be a great option for you. Time time commitment isn’t much, but it’s definitely a need in most communities.

Volunteer in Your Church

Chances are your church needs greeters, ushers, or Sunday school teachers. If you’re not serving in your church body, find out a way to put your gifts to use. Your church would benefit from your help.

Bake Cakes for Orphans

The Lord put this one on my heart a few months ago when I heard that children at an orphanage in our area don’t get birthday cakes. Thankfully, an opportunity to help in my area presented itself, but I have a feeling this is the case in many orphanages across the country. Baking a cake doesn’t take much time or money. Chances are you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Deliver Food to the Needy

Whether it’s Meals on Wheels or another organization in your area, the only thing required for this type of service is a vehicle and an hour or two. You’ll probably discover that delivering the food isn’t even the most important part– it’s the love and compassion you show the people you meet.

Encourage Others

Head to a soup kitchen, homeless shelter or an area where homeless people congregate. Just befriend them. Talk to them. Pray with them. You won’t spend a dime, but the time you give could mean a lot to someone else.

What ways are you serving without spending money?