Comments on: Time or Tithe?

By: Rich Life Carnival #20 | Rich Life Equals Better Life

Rich Life Carnival #20 | Rich Life Equals Better Life — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:49:02 +0000

[...] presents Time or Tithe? posted at LivingAlmostLarge, saying, “Should you [...]

By: LAL

LAL — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:57:47 +0000

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.

By: fengshui

fengshui — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:33:30 +0000

” 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. ????

By: Angie

Angie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:04:27 +0000

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.

By: 11-17-08 Twenty-Something Finances-Carnival

11-17-08 Twenty-Something Finances-Carnival — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:06:23 +0000

[...] Time or Tithe? [...]

By: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Roundup — Broke Grad Student

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Roundup — Broke Grad Student — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:29:48 +0000

[...] Time or Tithe? at Living Almost Large [...]

By: LivingAlmostLarge

LivingAlmostLarge — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:19:42 +0000

I had no idea churches published your tithe! Ouch!

By: dogatemyfinances

dogatemyfinances — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:45:26 +0000

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.

By: Kim A.

Kim A. — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:37:26 +0000

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

By: Amber C

Amber C — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:23:54 +0000

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.