What is your view on giving, tithing, etc.?

[Scanner]

I hope I am not coming across on producing an essay on why you shouldn't tithe or whether there should or should not be tithing.

I accept it as part of doing business for the churches. And if you tithe, I'm sure you feel you are getting your money's worth in services performed and so on.

I am only saying that personally, I cannot ethically go to church if I feel I haven't paid my way like the rest of the congregation (or what is required of me). Perhaps that is one of the seven deadly sins talking (pride, right?) but it just doesn't feel right.

I have actually thought of using the hospitals chaplain though, since I assume he is payrolled and an "employee benefit." (I recently had to care for a child abuse case at the hospital I work at and it kind of got to me)

I don't feel compelled to go to church for social networking/comraderie/fellowship.

That was actually another topic I wrestled with when I was first in business. My ex-partner said I should go join a church so I could meet people and they could become patients. I just didn't feel right doing that but I do know a lot of people do that and some religions are more "fraternal" than others (Mormons, Jews, Christian evangelicals.) in that regard and I probably left some "lost opportunity" on the table.

In that sense, tithing could be considered a good business expense (and a write-off to boot )

How's that for a financial analysis of something usually very spiritual?

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by Scanner

I don't feel compelled to go to church for social networking/comraderie/fellowship.

That was actually another topic I wrestled with when I was first in business. My ex-partner said I should go join a church so I could meet people and they could become patients. I just didn't feel right doing that but I do know a lot of people do that and some religions are more "fraternal" than others (Mormons, Jews, Christian evangelicals.) in that regard and I probably left some "lost opportunity" on the table.

When our kids were first ready to go to the dentist I had to ask around to find one..turns out the one we liked goes to our church, I didn't know that because they went to the late service (and the mom had breast cancer, so at the hospital chaplain more than here...) Regardless my point is, they didn't get my business because they went to our church (the mother recommending them didn't go to ouyr church either!

Not all churches are about the networking, or the money, some are unfortunatly, and finding the right one is a royal PIA..I spent 4 years church shopping...pain in the ...., but we did finally find this one. (and they still are not perfect)

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Not all churches are about the networking, or the money, some are unfortunatly, and finding the right one is a royal PIA..I spent 4 years church shopping...pain in the ...., but we did finally find this one. (and they still are not perfect)

Same for synagogues. We also shopped around and ended up in a congregation about 20 minutes from home even though there are probably 6 that are closer to us.

[ActYourWage]

"I am only saying that personally, I cannot ethically go to church if I feel I haven't paid my way like the rest of the congregation (or what is required of me). Perhaps that is one of the seven deadly sins talking (pride, right?) but it just doesn't feel right."

Are you sure it is the tithing that makes you feel uncomfortable? I do not pay my way in church.

[Scanner]

Are you sure it is the tithing that makes you feel uncomfortable? I do not pay my way in church.

No, tithng is only part of it. . .I dunno. . .maybe 50% among other factors.

[ActYourWage]

Originally Posted by Scanner

No, tithng is only part of it. . .I dunno. . .maybe 50% among other factors.

That's interesting. Does the thought of church make you angry, bitter, sad, or the whole idea of church in general?

[whitestripe]

I do NOT give to religious groups.
I give to animal shelters, surf life saving clubs etc. I've done volunteer work for the Cancer Council (for breast cancer). I also loan through Kiva, which I can honestly say I get more of a 'feel good' feeling out of loaning people microloans than any other charity. I actually feel like I'm helping someone. But it's not really charity, as I get the money back (to then give again).

but yes, my number one rule is that I do not give to religious organisations. sorry folks.

[feh]

Originally Posted by whitestripe

but yes, my number one rule is that I do not give to religious organisations. sorry folks.

Nothing you need to apologize for. I, for one, am proud of you!

[simpleyme]

I certainly do not have a problem with people not giving to things they so not believe in!
If you do not like religon you certainly should not have to give to them ,that is why I object to so many taxes and fees I am forced to support programs and people and causes that are against my beliefs

[Thriftina]

I tithe and give to local charities and Feed the Children.

[hmd2009]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

I do not have a formula for giving. I do not give to a worship community, though the charitable work that I give the most money to is faith-based.

I really do not count all my giving in money terms. There are little services I can often give it to people who cannot afford it by the usual means. Sometimes it does cost me money to give in this way. For example, I will give "taxi" rides to people. All sorts of people for all sorts of reasons. I once had a regular date with an old man who was in the Salvation Army program to get off alcohol. I drove him to his chemotherapy appointments and back "home" to the Salvation Army center. It wasn't part of an organized program on the part of wither the hospital or the Sal Army. A friend of mine who is a social worker was aware of the man's unmet need and asked me to do it, so I did. I also have taken a woman with no income to appointments for laser surgery (funny-- Medicaid was paying for eye surgery but not for the eyeglasses she would need.) I've driven people to work regularly until they could get enough money to buy a car. Twice, I drove a woman to a chiropractor who offered free care to a indigent people. That was another situation where a friend asked me to help out someone I did not previously know. I've taken people to the grocery store regularly or just sporadically. I see ownership of a car as a blessing that should be shared. I have a heart for the poor and one of the biggest problems of the poor in my city is transportation.

Having a spouse with a decent income gives me the ability not to have to work for a living. I spread that blessing by being available to others who do not the luxury of time to take care of some pretty important things. And I believe that is just as important as giving money. There are all sorts of things I do along those lines. I went to city hall a couple weeks ago to get an affadavit showing inheritance of property neighbors who were really pressed for time. I taught a young man to parallel park so that he could get a driver's license, even arranging to borrow an automatic car for him to learn on and take the test with as mine is standard transmission. With the driver's license and his aunt's 1984 Honda, he was able to get to his first year of community college. Today I spent a couple hours with a 3 year old who speaks no English but whose parents both work. I will spend a lot of time with her in the next months to help transition her to daycare as her visiting grandparents must leave the country in a couple months. It used a gallon of gas to go there and back, plus I bought a couple little things to catch her interest in order to begin to gain the trust of this reserved little girl who has already been majorly uprooted twice in her life.

You know, some of that sort of giving means you become a friend of someone you did not know before or barely knew. As you make friends, it becomes something you just do for a friend, maybe a friend of a sort you never dreamed you'd have. Then, it is hard to call what you do an act of charity. So, if you were keeping accounts on your giving (10% of gross or whatever), you'd have to delete that from the column of "Giving" wouldn't you? And you'd have to take on more to meet the 10% goal....No. I do not keep count of my giving. I do not budget for it. (I've said here before that I am one user of this forum who does not budget at all.) And I do not write out a check at the end of the year to top it up at 10% of gross or any other number.

Yes, I do give to beggars on the street and parking lots, but that has not happened for a while. I know a lot of people think that is wrong, but I do not....I give to an investigative/educational effort regularly, though I admit not as often as the solicit....I drop money in the Salvation Army buckets in winter.

I don't know. I have no real policy, but I find lots of ways to give both money and time personally, and that is my preferred way. I prefer to address the needs I personally see.

Beautiful!

[ActYourWage]

Originally Posted by whitestripe

but yes, my number one rule is that I do not give to religious organisations. sorry folks.

I don't either, I give to the Lord.

[elessar78]

I didn't really start giving until a year ago, when I finally had the means to (I got the means because I got on a budget and stopped the frivolous spending).

Now I give to my church monthly out of a sense of duty (I don't drop the requisite 10% yet, maybe someday). I have a side business and when I get paid for doing jobs, I give 10% of gross to various charities.

To me, being able to give is another sign that I'm on the right path financially.

[Goldy1]

I've at times felt my chosen profession was giving to charity ie working as a teacher and a teacher's assistant. Yes, I was paid, but I gave much more of myself emotionally and timewise than I was paid for with money. I could work less for more. I hope that makes sense.

[Goldy1]

I was raised roman catholic and we were no tithed but put funds in the basket passed. I am no longer active. I hate to say this but the masses were not upbeat enough for me.

[Mistee]

I try very hard to live by the scripture of trusting the Lord in everything I do and let Him direct my path. The passage says by trusting it will be health to my nerves and sinews (strenthens me in my tendons and muscles i would assume) and moistening to my bones. So I give because He promises that he will take care of me in every way all through the day.

I may not add up my 10% like others do by denoting the church as the one to give my whole 10% to as I count gifts to friends, the homeless shelter, a specific organization of the church like meals on wheels or randomly paying for someone's meal; leaving a tip and partnering with a ministry from time to time as my ways of giving. I do know when I do not give, I don't feel as cheerful!

[nycguy567]

i dont believe in tithing. give something more valuable, such as your time on a nonprofit board of directors

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by nycguy567

i dont believe in tithing. give something more valuable, such as your time on a nonprofit board of directors

I don't believe in tithing either, if tithing means giving 10% of your income. I think the amount you give should be based on your circumstances - maybe more, maybe less.

That said, while volunteering your time is very important, as an officer of a religious organization, I can tell you that without a steady stream of donations, we'd have to shut our doors, no matter how many volunteers we had. We need both volunteers and donors to be viable.

[nycguy567]

Originally Posted by RedThunderBird

Well here is a chance for you to give just a few minutes of your time , and change the world === please click every day once , and thank you ==

i sit on a nonprofit board. contribute my CPA, CFA and general business knowledge to help divorcees.

[ActYourWage]

Originally Posted by nycguy567

i dont believe in tithing. give something more valuable, such as your time on a nonprofit board of directors

I bet that nonprofit organization relies on someone 'giving' it money. You can't say that giving time is more valuable than tithing or giving....both are important.