Dear Jonathan,  I was concerned to read of your financial trials.  Being a new Christian can be tough at times.  We have an enemy that wants us to give up, but our faith increases as we stay on the course that God has set before us.
 
Here is a Bible verse for you and others that are going through times of poverty. It is a promise from Christ Jesus himself.  It has worked in my life.  I've gone from barely making it, paycheck to paycheck, to having more than enough.  PTL!
 
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Luke 6:38
 
It might seem heartless to give you this verse during your time of financial suffering, but God has created this way of escape from poverty.   I firmly believe that I have received MANY financial blessings in response to my giving.  The book of Malachi also has a verse that actually tells us to "prove God" by giving our tithe.  Malachi 3:10.
 
Perhaps you don't think you can tithe right now, but give SOMETHING--  A dollar, or volunteer some of your time, or give yourself to extra prayer and fasting.  Then trust God to make good on His promises.  Expect to receive blessings, then increase your giving as the situation improves.  This is God's financial plan for our well being, although it seems opposite of our rational thinking.
 
Here's a couple testimonies:
 
In the 1980's I gave up a part time medical job to teach in a newly formed Christian school.  I didn't make much money there, but the benefits were "out of this world".  During this time my husband & I had little money to save, and I remember praying and asking God to help me send my kids through college.  Sometime later, my Father in Law, (who was unaware of this prayer) announced that he and his wife were going to pay for ALL of my children's education.
 
A couple years ago, we had a missionary couple at church that needed funds.  We were asked to write down an amount that we COULD give and then write down an amount that we WOULD LIKE to give.  My "higher amount PLUS"  was given to me by a relative within the week.  This relative had no knowledge of my "faith pledge".
 
 
I read a story about some missionaries, but I don't remember their location.  They were teaching in a village where there was extreme poverty.  They really didn't want to teach on tithing because they just couldn't see how the people would be able to do it.  But they were obedient to the Lord and taught the villagers about tithing. The people started to give, and prosperity started to replace the poverty in the area.
 
Jonathan, I am praying for your coming prosperity.  I hope you are going to a Bible believing church.  Remember that even in deep recessions, God can still bless His people.