I’m still waiting for the big talmidei chachamim here to answer why this is any different than any other mitzvas asei, which one is not obligated to perform if one really cannot afford it (See OC 636 for details).
The poskim don’t say you’re an apikoros if you forgo the mitzva of lulav and esrog because it will cause you to not be able to make rent next month. In fact, they say it’s the right thing to do.