Church offerings

[justnmary]

So I'm just curious. For those of you that attend church regularly, what do you give in your offerings? I feel so cheap when I go to church with Justin because he thinks nothing of giving $2-5. Where if I go alone I give about $20 (which I still feel I should be giving more). But Justin feels that's too much. So I want to take a poll and see what the average is. Thanks for your input!

[ringem1]

We normally give anywhere between 5 and 10, I too feel bad because it doesnt seem like much. And we do try to give any extra we can though at times.

[NovemberGal]

The last time I attended church regularly I was a young child, and I used to put $1 or $2 (of my own, or that my dad gave me) in the plate. I can't remember what my dad gave...if I remember I'll ask him.

But I'd argue that you give what you feel is right and what you can afford, in line with your personal principles. $5 may be right for Justin, and $20 right for you, if giving to the church is more important to you.

Some people strictly tithe (10%) of their earnings--and I've listened to actual debates between friends about whether that should be before or after taxes. Some just see what's in their wallet that morning. Some do personal calculations about how much they give to the church overall--in the plate on Sunday mornings, to fundraising campaigns, through time volunteered or non-monetary donations made, and are comfortable with the overall contribution they make. In my church, the plate offering frequently didn't go to the church, or to general funds for the church. It would be announced (in the bulletin) what cause was being supported that Sunday--one of the charities we worked with, or some cause in the community, or some specific need of the church--and I suppose that might have affected how people gave as well--how they felt about that particular cause that the offering was designated for.

[justnmary]

With our church our offering envelopes have printed right on them various places where you can distribute the money. There's General, Elevator, School, missions and some other things. So when you fill out your envelope you can decide what you want your money to go to.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by justnmary

With our church our offering envelopes have printed right on them various places where you can distribute the money. There's General, Elevator, School, missions and some other things. So when you fill out your envelope you can decide what you want your money to go to.

That's really great. If I attended church, I would be more apt to give more knowing where the money was going to.

[Complicated Woman]

When I went, I tithed 10% before taxes. We had the opportunity to earmark our money, but I always just gave it to the general budget because the reality is that the people work for the church know better where the money is needed than the average member does, as I learned very well when I was employed there. It sucked to have a pressing need, like a family with an unexpected medical bill, and not be able to meet it because the money was earmarked for something less vital.

I don't think there is anything wrong with tithing less. Most people didn't tithe 10%.

[m_t_rose]

I try to tithe 10% before taxes but some weeks I tithe less.

[Leslee&Jake]

When I was little my parents would give in an envelope and then give us a dollar each to give when the guys come around with the offering baskets. One time my mom gave me a mint in my hand and before I had time to feel what it was I put it straight in the basket. The man holding the basket started laughing and then I realized what I did. My family still teases me about this.

I try to give what I can when I do go. We are on a tight budget and sometimes I wish I could give more but I do what I can. I figure it is the thought that counts.

[todaysdestinationwedding]

I wish I could say I faithfully give 10%....but that is not financially possible. We usually give 20.00 - 30.00 every Sunday. But I furnish all the supplies and I make the church bulletin every week. (paper, ink cartridges)...which reminds me I need to pick up a color cartridge this week...I kept gettng the ink level low prompt this morning.

I have also been the leader in many Pajama Parties, Youth group activities, Bible Schools and I purchase the Christmas tree every year. I usually just purchase my own supplies and call it a donation. So maybe my contributions don't look so bad after all

[NovemberGal]

Originally Posted by todaysdestinationwedding

I wish I could say I faithfully give 10%....but that is not financially possible. We usually give 20.00 - 30.00 every Sunday. But I furnish all the supplies and I make the church bulletin every week. (paper, ink cartridges)...which reminds me I need to pick up a color cartridge this week...I kept gettng the ink level low prompt this morning.

I have also been the leader in many Pajama Parties, Youth group activities, Bible Schools and I purchase the Christmas tree every year. I usually just purchase my own supplies and call it a donation. So maybe my contributions don't look so bad after all

This is my issue with religious organizations (or of any kind) that harp on a strict percentage that their congregation "should" give. You give $1000-$1500 a year, plus all the supplies and labor for the weekly bulletin, plus the Xmas tree, plus leading multiple activities a year and probably a few other donations you didn't mention just now. In my opinion (and, I suspect, in your church's opinion, if they are anything other than ungrateful idiots, and hopefully you wouldn't be attending that church) you are doing a LOT to support your church even if your actual dollar amount isn't 10% of your income. You have NO reason to feel sad or guilty about the contribution you are making to your church.

[Kim&Bob2004]

I think whatever anyone gives to their church is between them and God. I am from a church that doesn't pass the plate, but rather has a box that you can leave money in if you want, and it's in the back of the church for the offering. But when I have visited other churches and there is an offering plate, I treat it as the offering which to me is different than the tithe--make sense? We are told to give offerings out of freewill. Tithing is a command (and I believe the Bible says "ON THE INCREASE" which to me means after taxes--and what you give over that is an offering, done freely).

I think when you give time, it is an offering, but I personally have never kept track of the money we give, nor the money others give. It's between each person and God, no one else, IMHO.

[ljeagle]

I was raised with my mother giving 10% of what they made. I'm a believer of what u give to the church you will receive back. I had been out of church for some time and when I started back I had been short on cash a lot but I always gave what I could. I can truly say I never felt like I was giving to much, if I would put in $20 some way some how I would find that I had it back and even more sometimes. Now that I've been missing in action I see I'm sort now just like I was b-4 I was going. That's just what I believe.

[Marksbride]

We usually give $10 a service. Sometimes I feel we should be giving more, but if Mark had his way a $1 would be sufficient.

[ladedah]

we generally put $10 in the envelope for the general fund, but we also will generally make a donation to something specific that money is being raised for...generally it's something that I feel and extra emotional connection to...on the same page we also go to pancake feeds and/or other church activities that request a free will donation..I donate baked goods for the cookie walk and other activities....I don't always think it's enough, but it's what we can muster at this time in our lives..

[Julz518]

Overall, we try to tithe 10%... but that is split between the church, St. Jude's, campus ministry, missions, and various other charities. If we tithed our full 10% to the church, it would be roughly 1/2 of the annual operating budget!

We give $40/week to the church (and if we miss a week, we make it up). We thought about giving more, but we go to a REALLY small church, where most people only give $1-$5/week, b/c that's what they can afford. We write a check each week, so we can keep track of how much we give, and b/c I trust that the treasurer not to "gossip" about this kind of stuff.

I feel really strongly about "giving back." I have seen in my own life times where I have given more (monetarily) and then been blessed with more(monetarily). I don't think it pays to be cheap with God!

[justnmary]

Originally Posted by Julz518

Overall, we try to tithe 10%... but that is split between the church, St. Jude's, campus ministry, missions, and various other charities. If we tithed our full 10% to the church, it would be roughly 1/2 of the annual operating budget!

Wow, you really don't make that much if it's a really small church and all.....I'm sorry, you had it out there wide open, you should have known someone was going to crack that joke..... I'm just teasing....no offense. I know what you meant. i just couldn't leave it alone.

[ladedah]

Originally Posted by Julz518

Overall, we try to tithe 10%... but that is split between the church, St. Jude's, campus ministry, missions, and various other charities. If we tithed our full 10% to the church, it would be roughly 1/2 of the annual operating budget!

We give $40/week to the church (and if we miss a week, we make it up). We thought about giving more, but we go to a REALLY small church, where most people only give $1-$5/week, b/c that's what they can afford. We write a check each week, so we can keep track of how much we give, and b/c I trust that the treasurer not to "gossip" about this kind of stuff
I feel really strongly about "giving back." I have seen in my own life times where I have given more (monetarily) and then been blessed with more(monetarily). I don't think it pays to be cheap with God!

just curious here....you really feel that someone would have a reason to be concerned about the treasurer "gossiping" about how much they offer to the church?? I mean, we also write a check because a.) we often don't have cash and b.) we keep track for our tax deductions...but not once would I ever be concerned about if someone was telling others what we do or do not give to the church....until you just mentioned it, it never crossed my mind that it should be an issue.......I guess that just really shocks me....or perhaps I don't really care what others think of our contributions...


Also, as I'm re-reading this...I'm kind of shocked by how many feel that if they give to the church they will be blessed in return.....you can't "buy" god...people are blessed and have good things happen to them because they are good people and act in good faith...not because they give "X" amounts of dollars to their church....just my here....we go to church because we enjoy worshiping with our congregation, and we give an offering to ensure that the we continue to have a place to do so, not because we feel there is something to gain by giving....

[Heather]

The "rule of three" - getting back threefold what you give is a Pagan belief - has nothing to do with modern religion at all, and even less to do with money. It's interesting to see how different religions have translated it.

[justnmary]

Originally Posted by Heather

The "rule of three" - getting back threefold what you give is a Pagan belief - has nothing to do with modern religion at all, and even less to do with money. It's interesting to see how different religions have translated it.

That's just it, my denomination of religion doesn't preach on giving so that you recieve in return, it's about giving with a giving heart and not expecting anything in return. I guess that's why I wanted everyones opinion. Justin just can't 'give' willingly without wanting something in return so he gives little and it drives me nuts. I give what I give because I like to and I want to help others, missions, community, the church or whatever. When I give I let the church decide where it should go as someone else said they know where it's needed most. I wish I could give more but where do you draw the line? I could give the house away, but then the kids suffer and I'd be going to the church for help anyway....so

[ladedah]

Originally Posted by Heather

The "rule of three" - getting back threefold what you give is a Pagan belief - has nothing to do with modern religion at all, and even less to do with money. It's interesting to see how different religions have translated it.

I guess I missed this sermon, too....because I've never thought of this as a "religious translation" or have I ever felt it related with money....I give to others, not just monetarily, but I also give a lot of my time and have not expected anything in return unless you count that it just feels good to give to others...that is the return I get. I've been blessed more than others and as thanks for that I give back to others....the fact that I indeed have a personal faith and believe in god has nothing to do with it....in my opinion anyway....

can you post a link to some information about "rule of three"...I'm interested in reading about it and when I searched for that specific phraseology, it didn't return anything....thanks...

[Heather]

Absolutely. Give me a few minutes and I'll post a few links. I also have a ton of books. One is called The Outer Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak. Another is called Sabbats by Edain McCoy. They both touch on the Rule of Three when discussing "living the old way" - a.k.a. paganism.

ETA: Links -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_Three_(Wiccan)
http://www.bewitchingways.com/wicca/three.htm
http://www.helium.com/items/457384-s...tchcraft-doubt
http://www.starcraftsob.com/craft/rede.shtml

There are a hundred other links... just do a search for Rule of Three.

Originally Posted by ladedah

the fact that I indeed have a personal faith and believe in god has nothing to do with it....in my opinion anyway....

I totally agree. I don't believe in god or organized religion, but I volunteer my time and donate money to causes I feel are worthy. You don't need a church in order to do that, nor someone telling you that's what you must do. It's all personal choice.

[ladedah]

I was doing it wrong...I was searching for Rule of Three under paganism, when in fact it's a Wiccan teaching and does not cross all pagan religions....

[Montanabride]

Our church as well has a box in the back of our church building that you can put your tithe into. When we have potluck, once a month there is a basket for the Phillipines, since many of our men go over there to spread the gospel. So we generall give into that too!

Originally Posted by Kim&Bob2004

I think whatever anyone gives to their church is between them and God. I am from a church that doesn't pass the plate, but rather has a box that you can leave money in if you want, and it's in the back of the church for the offering. But when I have visited other churches and there is an offering plate, I treat it as the offering which to me is different than the tithe--make sense? We are told to give offerings out of freewill. Tithing is a command (and I believe the Bible says "ON THE INCREASE" which to me means after taxes--and what you give over that is an offering, done freely).

I think when you give time, it is an offering, but I personally have never kept track of the money we give, nor the money others give. It's between each person and God, no one else, IMHO.

[Julz518]

Originally Posted by ladedah

just curious here....you really feel that someone would have a reason to be concerned about the treasurer "gossiping" about how much they offer to the church??

Yes. Our treasurer is human. As humans, we are all prone to gossiping. The person who is currently treasurer is a very discrete and trustworthy person, so I am NOT concerned about it. But our neighbor is a treasurer at another church and she is a HUGE gossip.

Coincidentally, our township tax collector ALSO goes to our church. She is also very trustworthy and discreet. I'm sure she and the treasurer would never "compare notes", but it makes me a little uncomfortable that all my financial info is out there!

Originally Posted by ladedah

Also, as I'm re-reading this...I'm kind of shocked by how many feel that if they give to the church they will be blessed in return.....you can't "buy" god...people are blessed and have good things happen to them because they are good people and act in good faith...not because they give "X" amounts of dollars to their church....

I know you weren't signaling me out here, but I want to respond.

We don't give because we "expect" something in return. I feel pretty strongly that, as Christians, no matter what we SHOULD give and give in the ways we are blessed. It's not giving b/c we "expect" something, it's recognizing that our blessings - ALL of them - come from God, and to thank him for it by enabling his work. Its cyclical - kind of like the chicken in the egg, you don't which came first, the blessing or the giving.

Twice in my life I have fell on hardship and my church (or members of it) has stepped in to help me. So, if I suddenly fell on hardship, I wouldn't think I was being punished. I would most likely find myself even more blessed by the love and support of the church. So I guess by giving NOW, I'm kind of saying "thank you" in advance.

Obviously, this reasoning doesn't work for all religions. But it's what motivates me.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by ladedah

I was doing it wrong...I was searching for Rule of Three under paganism, when in fact it's a Wiccan teaching and does not cross all pagan religions....

No, of course it doesn't cross all pagan religions. Wicca is a sub-religion of Paganism, as is Christianity, Catholocism, etc. However, the Rule of Three is indeed based from the "old ways" of Paganism. Like most branches of other religions, some groups take what they want for traditions and leave others based on their own personal faith.

ETA: Rule of Three is also called The Law of Return. If you're really interested, you can search on that, too. Lots of really interesting stuff.