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The religious devotion aspect of it is completely separate to whether it is financially responsible to do it. If you are low income and feel this compulsion, you will sacrifice retirement savings and most other things.
...and if those who give/tithe only did so to to gain a "hundred-fold financial return," our churches would be full of bankers ...and millions who benefit from mission-giving would be left-out in the cold.
Humans have made this world what it is. And in this real world, I who have struggled financially in the past can now afford to give a little to people who don't have enough money for the basics for whatever reason. I don't give to score points because no one is keeping score. I give because it makes me feel good to be able to do so. Perhaps that can be viewed as a selfish reason; if it is, so be it.
My "appropriate recipient" is my only child, who is in school going for her doctorate. I help her, too. I would rather be able to do that now than when I am dead.
No. Sister Roberta Marie (and the Catholic Catechism) told us God made us and God made the world. That nice nun would never lie.
Humans have made this world what it is. And in this real world, I who have struggled financially in the past can now afford to give a little to people who don't have enough money for the basics for whatever reason. I don't give to score points because no one is keeping score. I give because it makes me feel good to be able to do so. Perhaps that can be viewed as a selfish reason; if it is, so be it.
My "appropriate recipient" is my only child, who is in school going for her doctorate. I help her, too. I would rather be able to do that now than when I am dead.
Fine. Just make sure it goes exclusively to the expenses of school - not "fun times". Doling out money to do with whatever will simply result in a lazy bum with a useless degree. I've seen it a million times.
I haven't read the whole thread, which is now getting a bit long; my apologies if I'm repeating someone else. So many people seem to think that "giving" means supporting either (a) religious organization(s) or a charity which helps the poor, such as the Salvation Army.
I am more interested in supporting other things in which I believe, such as certain arts and educational organizations. I have given fairly substantial amounts (consistent with being a retired high school teacher) to the Los Angeles Master Chorale and to an educational foundation whose work I participate in myself. Both of these, and many more like them, are also tax-deductible.
I am not criticizing anyone who supports his or her religion, or who wishes to help the poor. Rather, I am pointing out that there is a very wide range of worthy causes.
I haven't read the whole thread, which is now getting a bit long; my apologies if I'm repeating someone else. So many people seem to think that "giving" means supporting either (a) religious organization(s) or a charity which helps the poor, such as the Salvation Army.
I am more interested in supporting other things in which I believe, such as certain arts and educational organizations. I have given fairly substantial amounts (consistent with being a retired high school teacher) to the Los Angeles Master Chorale and to an educational foundation whose work I participate in myself. Both of these, and many more like them, are also tax-deductible.
I am not criticizing anyone who supports his or her religion, or who wishes to help the poor. Rather, I am pointing out that there is a very wide range of worthy causes.
Excellent point. I always check the salaries of the heads of the charities and no longer give to those with ridiculously high salaries (to me) and high overhead. These seem to be mostly national organizations.
There are many smaller and worthy organizations, and I like the idea of giving locally.
Other than "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire, the New England states pretty much lead the country in safety net support for the poor. Northern New England is the most homogeneous population in the US. Massachusetts is the most educated state and Connecticut #4.
Tithing simply isn't on my radar screen. It's not how we do it in this part of the country.
Fine. Just make sure it goes exclusively to the expenses of school - not "fun times". Doling out money to do with whatever will simply result in a lazy bum with a useless degree. I've seen it a million times.
She already has two Bachelors' degrees received 3 years ago and worked during and after college, including 15 months spent teaching in China. She's not having "fun times" with the money I give her. She is buying food. Her assistantship pays a stipend for working at the university 20 hours a week, and that just about covers her rent, utilities, and car insurance. Under the rules of the assistantship, she could lose it all--the tuition and the stipend--if she works elsewhere.
She was helping pay for her riding lessons at 12 by mucking out stalls at the barn. She worked all through high school and bought her own first laptop at 16. She's never been lazy, and I have no reason to think she will become that way now, so I have no problem giving her money for food while she pursues her Ph.D.
Other than "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire, the New England states pretty much lead the country in safety net support for the poor. Northern New England is the most homogeneous population in the US. Massachusetts is the most educated state and Connecticut #4.
Tithing simply isn't on my radar screen. It's not how we do it in this part of the country.
Interesting. And lol, every picturesque little New England calendar-quality town photo features the white church with the big steeple surrounded by autumn-colored trees.
Location: In a rural place where people can't bother me ;)
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As soon as I seen this thread and the tithe part, I immediately remembered when I gave $350 (at one time, not over a period of time) to a church my wife and I and our 3 children attended for a short period of time (until we moved). I received a tax deal in the mail stating that I had gave my money to the church and that it is a write off. I shredded it. I gave to the church out of the goodness of my heart, not to forward my financial agenda. The church was in need of new speakers for the altar. I actually walked up there after the service and seen first hand that the speakers were junk and then checked my account and decided we could help out. The pastor and his wife and all the deacons were shocked. I simply said, "all the elders in the back row need to hear gods word" and I smiled and walked away. I filled out one of those paper deals that asks for your debit/credit card # and address. So that is how they were able to mail me a tax receipt.
Next time I will be using cash to tithe in amounts like that.
EDIT: I realize they are more than likely obligated to send people those tax deals, and that I could have gave cash but thats beside the point.
Last edited by Blitzmark; 11-19-2016 at 06:15 PM..
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