Real life MMD: Should I stop my 10% charity payment?

larryloo_2

I heard John McArthur (grace to you. org) preach on that passage once and he took the view that Jesus was condemning the legalistic and hypocritical attitude of the people who made a song and dance about their ‘generous’ giving but their attitudes sucked (my words, not his!). He suggested that Jesus didn’t want the widow to give her whole livelihood because that would mean she would go home and die and what a crazy system that would be.
I think I see this as a faith-matter rather than a financial one. God already owns everything - He doesn’t need our money - He wants our hearts. But giving our money is a discipline to protect us from greed - money is easy to love but have you noticed we NEVER have enough if we love it too much? If you’ve been giving money to the church because you see it as a charity, I think you’ve missed the point.

MartinWickham

Financial advisors would argue that in your current straitened and precarious circumstances you will looking for greater assurance. So, for peace of mind, perhaps you might consider upgrading your contributions to 15%, just to make sure.

lurvlyloz

charity begins at home x

CLGoggin

God loves a cheerful giver, so look at the heart behind the giving. I know people that have felt tremendous guilt and condemnation from the church and have given so much that they've got into debt. That is NOT the spirit behind tithing and is absolutely not in line with Jesus' teaching. The church, I would hope, are getting alongside you in what is probably a difficult time; not because you give them money, but because they are loving others as God instructed us to. If you are really unable to contribute, don't feel guilty about it; pray for wisdom and God's provision. It sounds like the extra mortgage payments are a real drain on your income so perhaps you might consider selling up or some other alternative arrangement. There have been times in my life when I have been able to give more than 10% and times when I have been able to give less - it's not a hard and fast rule, it's a guidline for stewardship. Given that you've been going to church and tithing, I'm assuming you're a Christian and have a personal faith which impacts all parts of your life. God asks us to perservere through times of difficulty and promises to be our rock and out salvation. His promises stand true whether or not you are managing to give 10%. He sees the heart behind it. He will provide for all your needs. Not in a 'he'll give me everything I want' kind of way - needs and wants are usually pretty far apart - but trust is Him and you will be ok. I'm sure your pastor/elder/minister/treasurer would happily have an honest conversation with you about this - I've been a treasurer for a while and I can promise you that not everyone manages to give 10% but what is given is used wisely to help others (not just people in the church!).

Augustus_the_Strong

I find it incredible that you could be donating 10% of your income to a church. No wonder the churches (particularly the Catholic church) are so wealthy if they exploit their worshippers in that way.

I think you should stop your donation immediately. If you feel you want to help people, give an amount you can manage to a worthwhile charity, like Oxfam. Or if you need to make some more money, you could help someone direct by renting out a room in your house.

Even if God existed, I'm sure he wouldn't judge you adversely.

CLGoggin

Augustus_the_Strong wrote: »

I find it incredible that you could be donating 10% of your income to a church. No wonder the churches (particularly the Catholic church) are so wealthy if they exploit their worshippers in that way.

This is a pretty big generalisation. There are a lot of churches that do really good work. The church I attend meet in a school and don't even own a building. The money goes towards a variety of things from mother and toddler groups (no strings attached), helping the homeless, supporting a school in africa..and much more... there are also a lot of people in the church that spend many hours a week serving voluntarily in kids work/youth work/pastoral work. Giving money to the church is not forced and definitely not supposed to be exploitation, but for those of us that value what the church does, it's important to give. I'm sure there are still churches that accumulate wealth and don't use it for good, but there are many many churches that have a heart of giving and looks way beyond their congregation!!!

judy1010

I would say explain your financial situation has drastically changed and of course you will continue to put money in the collection in church when it is going around but can no longer afford to commit so much money very regretably. I am sure he or she will understand.

happyinflorida

Do not give any money away that you cannot afford. If you are financially struggling, stop immediately. I'd give your vicar a polite word about it too, you don't have to give the reason why if you find it too embarrassing, just say you're stopping for now and will restart it again in the future.

Do not feel guilty either! I bet there are loads of people who could afford 90% of their monthly earnings and they're far too mean to give it~!! So think on that!!

vikki_louise

Autumn19 wrote: »

Everyone of us has a different slant on this and we can all voice what we think you should do. So here is my tuppence worth.
!
10% of your salary at this present time is way to much.
Speak to your church representative (do not know what denomination you are) and explain the situtation, and I am sure that they (as a giving and supportive religion) will fully understand.
!
Between you both you can then decide on another form of 'giving' which could be your precious time. !It could be making the refreshments after the service, or tidying up the church after service.
!
When you are in a better financial position then you could re-consider giving a financial donation but 10% is way to much. !Remember at least 70% of all donations go towards the upkeep of the staff for any charity/church in salaries, utility bills, rent, pension payments, administration etc.
!
The old adage 'charity begins at home' springs to mind so in this instance you and your family come first.
!
All the best for the future

I have to disagree, some charities might spend a lot on admin, staff etc but not all. Our charity is run solely by a few key volunteers from home (bedrooms and hospital rooms as we have health problems), don't take expenses like phone/Internet and nor do we do what lots of charities do by buying gifts for people in the hope they will thank us with a donation. We can't work out our % of admin costs easily as they are so low, the occasional stamp (2nd class with Costco discount) and a pobox. What some charities waste though is incredible! I donated £10 to a charity once and I'm still getting gifts- cards, pens, badges, diary, wrapping paper, bookmarks etc. I would almost be tempted to post it on the grabbit board if it wasn't a charity 'pay a few pounds and receive regular gifts in return'. Another charity who I have never donated to sometimes send me a real 5p coin with a letter saying I can keep it or return it with a donation, well thanks but as I don't want to donate to you I will keep it and give it to a charity who don't waste! I remember going to something held by our local paper who were giving money to charities, we used ours for a party for children to meet other children going through similar things (this year they enjoyed comparing their tubes) another charity applied and were awarded £500 because the pattern on their armchairs didn't match, heaven forbid a homeless person should have to sit on an uncoordinated chair!

Going back to what I was saying though, most of the big charities might use donations for upkeep (RSPCA annual !advertising budget a few years ago was £17 MILLION but a lot of us little folk don't!

Lemanie_2

Wow, lots of comments! It is a tricky question to ask on an open forum because as Christians we should be 'in the world, but not of it' and so trying to get advice from others who do not have the same faith and understanding of a life lived for Jesus is going to throw up difficulties.

As others have said, most churches need tithes to function - to pay for premises hire, to do the work they do with people who need it, to employ staff etc etc and some churches are really struggling to do all they want to do with the very limited resources they have. Everything we have is from God and part of the way God choses to fund His church and the work it does is through tithes. It is not right to compare giving to God as part of your faith to giving £20 or whatever to charities, which is unfortunately what a lot of people in churches do - hence the problems with funding!

God is so faithful and I have always found that giving to the church actually frees me financially. I have always tithed and God has always seen me right, even when that is not mathematically possible! Again, there is a difference between having all that we want, and having all that we need and only you can assess how tight things actually are.

As others have said, speak to your vicar about it, pray about it because. in the end, it is between you and God what you decide to do with the funds he has blessed you with.