I am writing this week about issues twenty-something people face financially, because I’m hosting tomorrow the Twenty-Something Carnival of Finances. It’s Sunday and I’m sure many people go to Church. I don’t, but I can understand how it’s important to go and participate.
Anyway, when people are starting out, they might be burdened with student loan debt, credit card debt, a car loan, and fees typical of furnishing a place to live. Twenty-somethings might not have much excess money every month after paying all of their fixed bills. So how can they tithe while paying off debt, saving for an emergency fund, and saving for retirement?
I think perhaps giving of their time. I’ve often asked JW of NeedToBeDebtFree, why not tithe instead of giving 10% of his income? He’s never responded or explained why it wouldn’t work. And perhaps my readers will enlighten me as to why donating times to the church would not be an acceptable substitute to giving 10%.
My roommate is a devout Muslim, and he is currently principal of Sunday school. We discussed this and he’s said that he tells young people starting out to be teachers for Sunday school and help at the mosque instead of “tithing/zagat” because it gets them more involved with the community. Also because these young people are typical single and unencumbered they have the time to devote to creating lesson plans, filing papers in the office etc. Plus is an opportunity to meet other young single Muslims.
So to young twenty-somethings, if you are hoping to tithe, perhaps instead you could give your time to your church teaching Sunday school or helping out at the church office. It’s always appreciated. My roommate during his leaner years would donate time not only to his mosque but habitat for humanity on the weekends. This way he was giving back more than 10% of his income, which was meager.
Personally, I am not religious. And I volunteer at a food bank and women’s shelter because I think it’s important. I do donate money to these charities, but not 10% and I feel that I am contributing my society. I know the people who work there love volunteers because it can be tough to hire someone to work for such little pay.
But don’t feel guilty. Give what you can and donate your time instead. But I think that there is an obligation to pay your bills first and then tithe. Tithing should come after you pay for rent, food, utilities. To some it’s first, but I think it comes after you’ve paid your debtors, then tithe, then fun.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Amber C // Nov 16, 2008 at 10:23 am
I’m not twenty something anymore but I can tell you what happened with me. I was always taught to tithe. I always did until a few years ago. Now I give to charities that support the poor, the elderly, and children. We also help support the animal shelter. I felt obligated to quit tithing when I realized that the church would only give to people who were members of the church. After donating large amounts of food for the church food pantry only to end up one day throwing stuff out because it expired. There were many people in need but the church couldn’t see beyond themselves. You could visit the church but it was almost like you needed to be a member if we were going to help anyone. Also, the church council would not help people who needed electricity or gas or rent but would spend $40,000 on new electronic signs to impress the people who drove by.
Also, the church spent $25,000 on carpet when the old carpet was only 5 years old and fine. Some people just decided they needed to redecorate.
So for anyone that feels the need to tithe only to their church -please make sure the church is following the principles laid out in the Bible.
This was a large well known church in the area. Not all churches are like this but to be honest in my search I haven’t found one that was truly out to help the “bum” on the street.
2 Kim A. // Nov 16, 2008 at 11:37 am
I, too, agree with you that giving of my time with a cheerful heart is worth far more than cash in the offering plate..for me. I try to be actively aware, on a daily basis, for those moments in when I can reach out and help as needed. It keeps me humble, grateful and allows me to be “a part of” instead of “apart from” my community. I am also disheartened by the poor way alot of charities manage their funds so I also contribute to the ones that I know will get as much bang for the buck as they can. I would also like to remind people that giving blood, being an organ donor, getting your pets spayed/neutered and recycling are all ways of giving back when your dollars are short!
Namaste
3 dogatemyfinances // Nov 16, 2008 at 11:45 am
Many churches publish who did/didn’t tithe through gossip. It’s known who doesn’t tithe. For some (like JW, I speculate) they don’t want to deal with the harassment that you are “slacking” — or the shame that you can’t afford it.
When the tithe is part of the dogma, it is more important in some congregations than others. Some have to enforce it.
4 LivingAlmostLarge // Nov 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I had no idea churches published your tithe! Ouch!
7 Angie // Nov 17, 2008 at 11:04 am
I do tithe, because I feel it’s an important part of my worship. I have never gone to a church where anyone knows who is tithing or who is receiving help. I used to work at a church, and the only person who knew who our income came from was the accountant. Even our senior pastor was not privy to that information. The way we were taught, the amount you give is between you and God, and the church only keeps track for the tax man!
As far as help only going to people within the church – I’m sorry you had such a bad experience! The church I used to be at (big church) had a food closet every month for people in the community and we had a pastoral discretionary fund that could be used to help people find shelter for a few nights, or bus fare to towns where they had family. We did not hand out cash to anyone because we we had a couple of very bad experiences, but the heart of the church was to reach out, not in.
We’ve moved since then, and our new church is small – we meet at a local high school – and not able to provide as much to the community, but we do have regular food drives, build houses for the homeless in Mexico, paint and landscape schools in our district and others, and the list goes on.
I am proud to support my church and other ministries like it that are making a difference in the world.
8 fengshui // Nov 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm
” And I volunteer at a food bank and women’s shelter because I think it’s important. I do donate money to these charities, but not 10% and I feel that I am contributing my society. I know the people who work there love volunteers because it can be tough to hire someone to work for such little pay.”
It was always my understanding that you don’t have to give 10% money to your church, but rather what you can to any type of organization (shelters, ASPCA, cancer society, etc) OR donate your TIME. ????
9 LAL // Nov 17, 2008 at 6:57 pm
It depends on what you feel like doing. I suggested working off your “tithing” amount because I had heard it’s acceptable for some religions/churches.
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