If your family income is $200 a week, can you afford $5 to the Church?

[JerryMoCricketsGal]

Please do not flame me, but, I don't agree with being forced or being told that my contributions to a church are necessary. I, for one, do NOT believe in religion or God, but, I do find that donating clothes, toys, ect goes much farther with churches than it does with donating to places like the Salvation army.

I have seen things that I have donated to the Salvation army for sale in stores, and I was upset as I wanted those articles to go to people that needed them.

I will continue to support local churches via donations such as food, clothes, furniture, ect, as I do appreciate the fact that churches will make sure that the people of their congregation that need them will get them.

I also support a family via the salvation army for xmas each year (as I know it will go directly to the family and not get sold)

Like I said, I do not wish to get flamed for my decision, but I completely support local churches in other ways than giving a % of my income. Although I do not agree with religion, I will continue to support the kind people that DO believe, and will continue my support. Anyone who can't give what their church thinks they should may want to find a church that is more accepting of their means. I have yet to find a person of faith that is unappreciative of anything that helps the church and it's members (except the Jehovah witnesses..but..that's a whole different story).

 

[ElizK]

Please do not flame me, but, I don't agree with being forced or being told that my contributions to a church are necessary. I, for one, do NOT believe in religion or God, but, I do find that donating clothes, toys, ect goes much farther with churches than it does with donating to places like the Salvation army.

I have seen things that I have donated to the Salvation army for sale in stores, and I was upset as I wanted those articles to go to people that needed them.

I will continue to support local churches via donations such as food, clothes, furniture, ect, as I do appreciate the fact that churches will make sure that the people of their congregation that need them will get them.

I also support a family via the salvation army for xmas each year (as I know it will go directly to the family and not get sold)

Like I said, I do not wish to get flamed for my decision, but I completely support local churches in other ways than giving a % of my income. Although I do not agree with religion, I will continue to support the kind people that DO believe, and will continue my support. Anyone who can't give what their church thinks they should may want to find a church that is more accepting of their means. I have yet to find a person of faith that is unappreciative of anything that helps the church and it's members (except the Jehovah witnesses..but..that's a whole different story).

No flames. God had to work on my heart for years re tithing. Also, while my church teaches a true tithe, they have no idea what my income is.

 

[liamsaunt]

OP, are you Catholic? I think so, based on your post, but the Catholic church doesn't tithe, do they? Unless things have changed? I am sincerely curious, having been brought up Catholic, went to Catholic school, church every week, married there, etc, but then left some time ago.

I am withholding my opinion on this subject until I hear whether the OP is talking about the Catholic church. I have no intensive knowledge of other religion's practices, though I wish them all well. God is good in any way you find him.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

While I disagree with telling people amounts other than teaching the Biblical tithe -

The example in the OP is I'm sure the same as what my church is doing and is separate and independent of the regular offertory.

They do special collections/campaigns to raise funds for things such as building additions.

Typically it is above and beyond regular donations as they don't wish to rob peter to pay paul, so to speak--hence the small %.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes, it's a hard "i" like in "tie".

Every church I have ever been of parishioner of has encouraged volunteerism to the ministry of the church, not just a weekly donation. If you don't have the money to give to your church, they'd love the gift of time. They need folks to teach CCD or RCIA, they need Eucharistic Ministers, lecterns, etc.

I've never been in a parish where it's simply been all about money, although many people espouse that's what the Church is all about. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how little the money matters if you're giving in other ways.

That would be Time, Talent, Treasure--all part of giving.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OP, are you Catholic? I think so, based on your post, but the Catholic church doesn't tithe, do they? Unless things have changed? I am sincerely curious, having been brought up Catholic, went to Catholic school, church every week, married there, etc, but then left some time ago.

I am withholding my opinion on this subject until I hear whether the OP is talking about the Catholic church. I have no intensive knowledge of other religion's practices, though I wish them all well. God is good in any way you find him.

I guess it would depend on the diocese and the parish---I attend a Catholic parish and our church speaks specifically on tithing and we even have Crown Ministries (Larry Burkett's creation on living financially according to the Bible).

I am sure they are not the only ones.

No idea on the OP though.

 

[lemondog]

OP, are you Catholic? I think so, based on your post, but the Catholic church doesn't tithe, do they? Unless things have changed? I am sincerely curious, having been brought up Catholic, went to Catholic school, church every week, married there, etc, but then left some time ago.

I am withholding my opinion on this subject until I hear whether the OP is talking about the Catholic church. I have no intensive knowledge of other religion's practices, though I wish them all well. God is good in any way you find him.

I am pretty sure the OP is Catholic, based on his references to the priest, and Mass. I am Catholic and we do tithe. I thought all Catholics did.

 

[disykat]

The example in the OP is I'm sure the same as what my church is doing and is separate and independent of the regular offertory.

They do special collections/campaigns to raise funds for things such as building additions.

Typically it is above and beyond regular donations as they don't wish to rob peter to pay paul, so to speak--hence the small %.

That certainly makes a lot more sense if they were talking about an above and beyond general giving collection. I've been involved in serval building campaigns and never seen percentages talked about - but those campaigns have encouraged sacrificial giving.

 

[we3disneygo]

we go to a Methodist church and every fall we are presented with a new chart in the bulletion and another copy sent to the house with guide lines on how much should be given....we get a statement for our account and if you say give cash but don't put your name on it for credit, on the statement it will say you are xxx amount behind in your giving....I have heard amazing stories regarding being flat broke and still giving and how this person was taken care.......

 

[mickeyfan2]

It's just a guideline. No harm in a guideline. Same with tips, right? They give guidelines but you tip what you want to.

I believe in giving as much as I can, just like the previous poster, and I also believe I get SO much and more in return.

This is how I see it too.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think that we see those "amazing stories" because of who God is! He doesn't "need" our money (although a church itself doesn't need our money to pay the bills).

 

[DMickey28]

So I don't go to a regular Church, but having been thinking about it alot lately, especially with starting a family. Now I think I can't afford to go to church. 10% of our gross monthly income is more than our two car payments. Who has that kind of cash on hand EVERY month???

 

[mickeyfan2]

So I don't go to a regular Church, but having been thinking about it alot lately, especially with starting a family. Now I think I can't afford to go to church. 10% of our gross monthly income is more than our two car payments. Who has that kind of cash on hand EVERY month???

Go if you feel it in your heart. Give what you can.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Go if you feel it in your heart. Give what you can.

\
Exactly. That's all the church is asking for. Realize that they have commitments and expenses to keep the church running and they can't do it without the help of the members nor is it fair to take of all of the services and never contribute. Even if all you can give is $5 then give that. However I think there is a difference in "I can't give because there are other things I'm trying to do - i.e. save for a house, pay off cc, etc. " and "I can't give because I have four kids and I can barely make ends meet." Just my two cents.

 

[Stacerita]

The church I attend has weekly offering. I give what I can based week to week. Sometimes the sweetpea needs new cleats that week so the offering might be less. But I do give because I know the money is needed and used by the church. Every quarter the pastor sends out the finacials to let us all know how much was given and what it costs to run the church for that time period. Our church also participates in supporting missionaries all over the world and does quite a bit of community outreach. This also shows where our money goes. For special projects or programs we may have an extra collection, but we give only if we can. The pastor speaks maybe once every other year or so about tithing. He does say that not everyone is up to it, but those who are are encouraged to do so. Its never driven into us. But we are "reminded" of it. There are some who are able to give above and beyond every time, and then there are those who can only give a little every so often. Its not equal offering, its equal sacrifice.

 

[arminnie]

Also, while my church teaches a true tithe, they have no idea what my income is.

There's a HUGE non-demoninational church near where I live that requests copies of your income tax return to make sure you are really tithing!!

 

[canwegosoon]

I believe the OP is Catholic...our priest did the same thing 1 1/2 years ago. Stating while the Catholic Church does not believe in true Tithing....they do ask you to pray on and consider 2.5% of salary. This (IMO) has come about because of decreasing attendance, and the scandles of the Church.

It is driving me away. Our Priest supports priests who are no longer able to say Mass(due to sexual abuse convictions), he feels they should continue to recieve benefits from the Church. Also there is no financial frugality at our Church...you would think the spend tap is wide open. The decorations/floral arrangements for the Holidays, and regular sundays are excessive. The carpeting never wore out, and was ripped up for new tiles. The Priests are driving Volvos. They live better than me(an we have a good salary).

Personally I believe that if you can afford to give 10%, 5%, 2.5% or.5% that is between you and God. If you are having trouble making ends meet...I think it is your responsibility (not the Church's) th do your best to make the needs of your family...if you can't, then you go to the Church.

Good Luck to the OP...give what you can when you can is my policy. The church doesn't make note that I gave a week of my house for a vacation as a fundraiser, but does keep track of the envelopes. Makes me sad, and I am confused about the Catholic Church.

 

[alliecats]

There's a HUGE non-demoninational church near where I live that requests copies of your income tax return to make sure you are really tithing!!

 

[caitycaity]

So I don't go to a regular Church, but having been thinking about it alot lately, especially with starting a family. Now I think I can't afford to go to church. 10% of our gross monthly income is more than our two car payments. Who has that kind of cash on hand EVERY month???

i agree. there have been times in my life when i have thought about attending a church. personally, i can't imagine getting so much out of a church that i would want to give 10% of my income. that would be a huge barrier to me joining any church.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Originally Posted by arminnie
There's a HUGE non-demoninational church near where I live that requests copies of your income tax return to make sure you are really tithing!!

oh yuck. I don't ever think I could go to a church like that.

Our church does a weekly offerring, but the only person who sees the amounts of $ each family gives is the Secretary who inputs the data into the computer.

At least our Pastor claims that he never looks at the lists and I believe him.
When we did our Membership classes a couple of years ago he said that he does that because he never wants anybody to feel that they cannot call upon the Church for help because they haven't given enough money.

As for people only making $200 a week, I can't say. Personally I would prefer that they feed and clothe their children and continue to come to Church. We have several single parent families in our Church and people really do try to help them out as much as possible -- working on their cars, babysitting kids for free, making sure the kids have school supplies etc.

I wouldn't want anybody to feel unwelcome because of money.