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

[Galahad]

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.

But most people that are very active in their church are are long time regular church goers don't give anywhere near 10%. The average is 2 or 3%. (There is actually some disagreement about what tithing actually means. Also in the vast majority of mainstream churches the pastors and other ministerial staff never know who gives what.

On a slightly more spiritual digression, we have always found that the more we give the more we get out of church rather than the other way round.

 

[Blondy876]

Giving to the church should come from your heart, not from a sense of obligation. I do not beleive that Jesus is standing anywhere with a bill in hand. Or at least not the one I believe in.

Its funny that you posted this today. We have a very small church (approx. 40 people) and have voted to make some additions and repairs to our tiny church building. We voted for the things we could already afford. There is already money in the budget to cover the expense of these things. They are not asking we give more to cover for it.

 

[Galahad]

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

You and me both.

 

[Buckalew11]

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!!

And people still go...???I guess so since you say it is huge.

 

[Talking Hands]

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.

God does not as the tithe from those who are not Believers, but of Believers. As you don't believe in God nothing is required of you. I am sure that it is very much appreciated when you donate food, clothes and toys to a church for direct distribution to those in need.

 

[jimmiej]

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.

It's not about you...it's about a believers obedience to God. You're approaching the church from the wrong side.

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.

Mark 12(NIV)

The Widow's Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

 

[mommyoeo]

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!!

WOW-- do you live near me?! I had never heard of that until we moved here to GA. My neighbors are told what their tithe should be. YIKES!! I'm pretty sure that's RARE!

*

My 2 cents, for those who said they are now unsure about going to church, is not to worry about it. Peolple are tithing so that YOU can come to church. You are the one people are giving their money for. Take the chance and go.

BTW, my pastor estimates that 20% of our members tithe. He doesn't know who does or not. No one knows that sort of thing except the financial sec and no one is judging you. Come and be a part of the 80% to see what's going on. Don't worry about tithing at all!!!

One thing that some forget is that the church exists for the people who are not there yet! If you do not go to church, the church is waiting for you, preparing for you and many are tithing in order to reach your family, happily living under their means in order to provide a church for you. Take them up on the invitation!

Here's a common theme in churches: if you wait until you are perfect before you come, the church would be empty. Come as you are, wherever you are.

 

[ElizaB39]

I have only had one experience with requesting amounts from parishioners. My parent's church is a mission church, doesn't have a resident priest. They do have a priest that comes several times a week. Church volunteers do EVERYTHING for this church including raising a lot of money. There are no paid positions in this church with the exception of a parttime secretary who works full time at her regular job! When this church was newer (maybe 12-15 years ago) the priest would ask members to complete a commitment pledge card and put it into the offering basket. This was done so the church could budget financially for their needs. and plan for fundraisers. No specific amounts were specified or requested, it was basically a please let us know what you think you will be giving weekly/monthly etc. In the meantime, the women of the church were running 5 full blown turkey dinners per year as a fundraiser and those funds were going towards regular church operating expenses, not extra charitable activities. And, the ladies group ran an auction once a year that raised around $15,000.00 each time. Again, not for extra charitable activities, but for regular operating expenses.

I'll never forget the day my mom told me, "thank God we can cut back to two dinners a year, we finally have enough committed pledges that Father feels we don't need to work ouselves to the bone 5 times a year."

This church is in rural Northern MN with about 200 families in the church. My mom is now 70.

I thought the idea of a pledge card was a good one especially for a "young" church.

 

[Caradana]

God's message in the OT doesn't reconcile with Jesus' in the NT:

Paying Taxes to Caesar
Matthew 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. [2] 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. [3] 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

God doesn't want my US Dollars. He wants my heart and my faith. I have difficulty imagining God punishing a person in the afterlife for failure to tithe.

** Is the interesting twist on the OP the fact that she's from Massachusetts? Assuming that she's Catholic (as I am), did she get this request in part because the Church is hurting for cash after paying the sexual abuse settlements?

 

[TriMom]

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.

Please don't look at tithing as an "entertainment fee" of sorts. This is what my pastor says before every offering collection: "If you are a guest or a visitor to our service today, please don't give anything. We don't want your money, this service is a gift to you. If there is any way that we can help you, please let us know. Our members and regular attenders provide for this service." If you decide to go to church, please find a church like mine. As a Christian, I would much rather have you find out why my relationship with Jesus means so much to me than for you to ever give a penny to a church. I am really hoping that you find your own relationship with Jesus. That is why church exsists.

Now I personally do tithe. 10% of our gross pay (God before government, so pretax amount) Yes, it is a large check that I write every month. But I believe that God is blessing us and rewarding us for being faithful. We committed to full tithing about 2 years ago. In that time I had 2 perfect boys, was able to quit my job and be a SAHM, and DH's company, who very rarely gives raises, just gave him an 11% raise. I believe that was God pouring out blessings on us.

Just my beliefs, and I hope that you "heard" it with as much kindness as I "said" it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

Our campaign is 10,000,000 (2 buildings--very large structures with corresponding hurricane codes).

They provided a chart that had various income levels and %--just to make it easy. I guess different churches do different things--perhaps 2.5% was just the lowest listed suggested percentage.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

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 Catholic.

Thanks for all the responses. I had no idea about Tithing.I just thought people gave what they could afford, some sacrificing quite a bit to be able to give to the Church. I guess my Op was really about how astounded I was that the church would expect a family bringing home $200/week to give $5. Now that I see many give 10%, 2.5% is not really asking a lot. I still think $5 from $200 to feed a family is asking too much.

I am going to give my 2.5% next week, and see if it upsets the apple cart, so to speak, financially.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The Priests are driving Volvos. They live better than me(an we have a good salary).

I believe the diocese determines the salaries--the priest can't set his own based on the wealth of the parish.

Priests can be responsible enough with their personal finances to afford a volvo.

Our pastor puts his money where his mouth is though---he pledged a sizeable donation (like the size of a car) to our building fund.

 

[Buckalew11]

I guess that is why it is an instructed 10% instead of saying a certain amount. If I make 200, I give 20. If I make 400, I give 40. If I make 20 then I give 2. It would be different if we were all supposed to tithe 50.00 a week and you made 200.00 and I made 2000.00.

Anyway, best wishes to you. There are many verses in scripture about stewardship. I think over 2,000! It is truly an adventure!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

God's message in the OT doesn't reconcile with Jesus' in the NT:

Paying Taxes to Caesar
Matthew 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. [2] 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. [3] 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

God doesn't want my US Dollars. He wants my heart and my faith. I have difficulty imagining God punishing a person in the afterlife for failure to tithe.

** Is the interesting twist on the OP the fact that she's from Massachusetts? Assuming that she's Catholic (as I am), did she get this request in part because the Church is hurting for cash after paying the sexual abuse settlements?

A tithe is not a tax--it is a gift. As is your time as is your talent.
All to be shared with God.

You are misinterpreting the NT. (And think about it--give to God--give less to Caesar..or in our case, the IRS. God is NOT Caesar!)

Another thing to note--your full 10% does not have to go entirely to a church--to God yes, to church--NO. Part of your 10% is what you do for those in need, in poverty.

 

[Buckalew11]

LOL, about the volvo. I used to drive a volvo and I'm not wealthy. LOL

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess my Op was really about how astounded I was that the church would expect a family bringing home $200/week to give $5. Now that I see many give 10%, 2.5% is not really asking a lot. I still think $5 from $200 to feed a family is asking too much.

QUOTE]

I don't think they are "expecting" it at all. But there is ALWAYS a story of someone who insists on giving. They do cut something and they manage--and they are very joyfully doing it. (and without eating dogfood.)

 

[mommyoeo]

God's message in the OT doesn't reconcile with Jesus' in the NT:

The texts reconcile nicely. They want permission from Jesus to break the law and not pay taxes but he says for them to pay what's due. He also said to give to God whatis God's. I'm not sure why you'd think that God owns heart and souls and not money, but that's not true.

God doesn't want my US Dollars. He wants my heart and my faith. I have difficulty imagining God punishing a person in the afterlife for failure to tithe.

God rewards obedience. Many don't like it because they have not met the standards in the Bible. Most people do not want to be punished. That's why Jesus died-- so he could take the punishment for our sins.

BTW, the Mark 12 passage on giving money to the church is in the New Testament.

BTW, DH is a minister and we have pretty nice cars too. One was a gift, paid in full and was brand new, next year's model. Don't judge your pastor without knowing the whole story. We could never afford what we drive but our parents were generous with us and wanted safety for their grandchildren. We also give our 10% back to the church like everyone else.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Mark 12(NIV)

The Widow's Offering
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

yep, and at no point did Jesus tell anybody to get out of the building because they weren't coughing up enough.

My point remains the same, I would never want to belong to a Church that made people feel unwelcome because they weren't putting in enough money.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

yep, and at no point did Jesus tell anybody to get out of the building because they weren't coughing up enough.

My point remains the same, I would never want to belong to a Church that made people feel unwelcome because they weren't putting in enough money.

I can agree with that. One must be a joyful giving--and an expectation/requirement/mandate...kind of takes the joy out of it.

Nowhere in the OP was their any statement that the donation was required. As I understood it (and from past experience), it was a suggestion off the chart. They aren't going around the church forcing anyone to do anything. And you know what--if the person/family making $200 a week, wants to contribute $5 and is happy about it...it is really noone else's business but theirs.



Personally--from personal experience, i get insulted by exclusion where someone assumes I cannot afford something. So they don't ask. And they don't say why--they don't say anything. I am just written off due to lack of affordability. Well--it is *my* finances and to exclude me b/c you think I cannot do something is a slap in the face. Allow me the privilege of speaking for myself and saying no I cannot afford it.

I don't think it is insulting to ask. I do think it is insulting to ask everyone else and leave others out. Could be that someone wanted to give--but noone asked, so they made other use of their money.