(why) do you tithe?

[genkaus]

Then why argue.... You know what never mind you are correct

As I said before, I don't allow for bullshit to stand.

[Aiza]

I don't tithe but when I donate to my church I make the check out to the church, if its to another collection (as in, to a separate religious charity, the CSA, etc) then I make the check out to them).

[Ryft]

When Christians tithe, who do they make the check out to? Have you ever asked where the money goes?

Obviously I cannot speak for "Christians" (as nebulous as that term is here) but I will answer for myself and my local church.

1. I do not write cheques—for anything, not even church—and cannot even remember the last time I did. It has all been cash, automatic or online banking, debit card, PayPal and so on for at least the past ten years. Do individuals still write cheques today? At any rate, with respect to "tithe" I place cash in the collection plate, as it were. I suppose if I were to write a cheque it would be made out to Grace Baptist Church.

2. I do not need to ask where the money goes, although I am free to at any time I wish and the church will print me a detailed financial statement promptly. The reason I do not need to ask where the money goes is because we are provided financial information at every quarterly members meeting, plus a detailed annual report that breaks down where every last penny went (or where it was not able to go when we are running in the red). It also breaks down where every penny came from, as well as all assets held by the church, including investments and property values.

3. Also, members have the liberty to specify where they want their money to go.

I assume those quarterly statements explain how much the pastor's mortgage and car notes are, then (in the cases where that is what's happening)?

Yes and no. It explains his salary and mortgage, but his car and family van were used and bought with cash.

However, [the Salvation Army is] not a house of worship or a church.

Strange. I am sure the one on Sutherland Avenue which holds services every Sunday morning at 10:30 would be surprised to find that out.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I tithe,at the Muslim rate of 2.5%, to a secular charity, as a personal moral imperative. In this instance, for me, 'can' infers 'should' . (you can bet your arse I know exactly where my money goes)

[jackman]

1. I do not write cheques—for anything, not even church—and cannot even remember the last time I did. It has all been cash, automatic or online banking, debit card, PayPal and so on for at least the past ten years. Do individuals still write cheques today?

2. I do not need to ask where the money goes ...

so, i got the capitalization fixes in my quotes. thanks, looks nicer that way. here's some more.

1. yes, a lot of people still write chec[ks,ques] and i can't believe you would think everyone in the congregation carries cash and/or has internet service. i don't think you think that, i think you're being purposefully fickle.

2. i suppose you're one of the lucky ones who attends a reputable place of worship, which would never have a second set of books. good find.

[Ryft]

I can't believe you would think everyone in the congregation carries cash and/or has internet service.

Your inability to believe it notwithstanding, we do live in the 21st century so... yes, I did think that. I would be surprised by an individual writing a cheque. Call me naive.

I suppose you're one of the lucky ones who attends a reputable place of worship [that] would never have a second set of books. Good find.

A good find indeed.

A young man is moving into a new place at the end of this month, going from renting a room to a full basement suite. And he does not have anything beyond a few clothes and some books; no furniture, no dishes, no appliances, etc. Now that he is moving into a full basement suite, he needs... well, everything. Bed and mattress, dresser, appliances, table and chairs, couch, TV, literally everything. (Especially at this time, since his boss has declared bankruptcy and he is facing unemployment and looking for a new job.)

And he does not need to buy any of it due to this "reputable place of worship" which is taking care of it all for him, right down to the bed linen and kitchen cutlery. One member of the church after another is stepping up and offering this item or that item. This past Sunday one couple said that they wanted to give him their 42-inch television set and its stand, which he found simply astonishing. "Now that the kids have grown and moved on, we only turn the thing on maybe twice a year," they said. "Besides, it belongs to God, not us, and we know you would get far more use out of it than we do. So it is now yours." This, among so many other reasons like it, is why I am so happy to contribute in every way I can to my church—because it is constantly giving freely of itself to meet the needs of others. It was a good find indeed.

[jackman]

I can't believe you would think everyone in the congregation carries cash and/or has internet service.

Your inability to believe it notwithstanding, we do live in the 21st century so... yes, I did think that. I would be surprised by an individual writing a cheque. Call me naive.

not necessary (my words)

I suppose you're one of the lucky ones who attends a reputable place of worship [that] would never have a second set of books. Good find.

A good find indeed.

A young man is moving into a new place at the end of this month, going from renting a room to a full basement suite. And he does not have anything beyond a few clothes and some books; no furniture, no dishes, no appliances, etc. Now that he is moving into a full basement suite, he needs... well, everything. Bed and mattress, dresser, appliances, table and chairs, couch, TV, literally everything. (Especially at this time, since his boss has declared bankruptcy and he is facing unemployment and looking for a new job.)

And he does not need to buy any of it due to this "reputable place of worship" which is taking care of it all for him, right down to the bed linen and kitchen cutlery. One member of the church after another is stepping up and offering this item or that item. This past Sunday one couple said that they wanted to give him their 42-inch television set and its stand, which he found simply astonishing. "Now that the kids have grown and moved on, we only turn the thing on maybe twice a year," they said. "Besides, it belongs to God, not us, and we know you would get far more use out of it than we do. So it is now yours." This, among so many other reasons like it, is why I am so happy to contribute in every way I can to my church—because it is constantly giving freely of itself to meet the needs of others. It was a good find indeed.

all of that is nice to hear. if you're happy there, then that's awesome for you. i've done that myself for single mothers and families on bad times. sometimes a lot less than you mentioned, but sometimes i've done more. i don't have a newsletter to put it in either, i simply do it because there are times when i have it and i can. so forgive me if i'm not impressed by your church.

[Ryft]

So forgive me if I'm not impressed by your church.

Whether or not you are impressed could not be any more irrelevant or pointless. But hey, thanks anyway.

[Polaris]

I actually do not tithe because there is a verse in the Bible that says only give if your heart feels like giving. I feel like giving outside the Church until I see a need where donating will help others either through harsh circumstances or Salvation.

[Cyberman]

Convenient.