Can a church really you make you give them money ? Our church has been hounding us for larger donation. They say we arent giving our 10 %. Its really starting to piss me off. I give what I want and that's it.

NO! What you give is between you and God...your church is just being greedy.

NO!! This is actually why we don't go to church and don't believe in churches. I don't think I should EVER have to PAY TO PRAY! Ridiculous! We send my son to private school. I pay enough for that, yet every week in his folder is an offering envelop. I throw it away!

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My Mom's church has done this. That totally ticks her off. They should be thankful for the money they get, instead of moaning about the amount they don't.

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In my opinion, an offering is just that, an offering of what YOU feel is the right amount to give back to God.
However, if you are a formal member of the church, as in a voting member, etc, I believe you have an obligation to pay your tithes. Tithes are different from offerings in that they should always be the first 10% of your income.

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Yep Deenie is right. Tithing and offerings are two different things. I will for now on pay my 10% to my church. And they won't be getting any of those extra things from me.Does anybody else require using envelopeswith names on them for actual members?

Our church has envelopes for offerings, where you can fill in your name, and indicate whether it is a tithe, or for missions, etc. It is done that way so the church secretary can keep track, since you recieve a tax deduction for your tithes.

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That's crazy! I would get really upset at that!

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If you're that upset find another church. As a matter of fact there are a number of churchs that require 10% of your income. For instance Mormons go as far as requiring to see your tax paperwork so they know what to expect from you. I say that is a far cry from a decent religion if that's how they act... but you are paying to be a "member" of their church just like you would pay to be a member of anything else.

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Churches pay their bills with the tithes and offerings; so, yes, I think that if you go to church, and partake of the services that church offers, you should contribute in some - if you're unable to do so financially, then you should offer to do something else, such as clean the building, because some of the money undoubtedly goes to a cleaning service.

Churches have the same bills as everyone else, and yet shouldn't be allowed to ask for an income? In what world does that make sense? They're not trying to turn a profit (hence the name "not-for-profit organization"), they're just trying to pay their bills.

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Not sure where you got that information from......it's wrong. I am a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I can choose to pay my tithing or I can choose not to pay my tithing and I can still attend church. No one knows who pays and who doesn't. (of course some people gossip, ya can't help that, each of us are at different stages in their lives)

If I pay my tithes (10%) that is my business and once per month we can if we choose, pay an offering.

The money that The Lord requires of me goes toward much humanitarian work, building churches, church welfare assistance for people who need it and so much more. I'm happy to be part of furthering the work of the Lord.


As for a church making you pay? No. Even if no one paid their tithing, there should be no petitions for money, overt or subtle.

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Dear daughter Kira Jade 2 yrs
Foster daughter B 16 months old
Foster daughter J 2 yrs old
Foster son C 3 yrs old (Down Syndrome,"Bear")

TTC for 4+ years.....now we're Not/Nots.
We'll continue fostering and possibly adopt again some day

Our church provides envelopes but does not require you to use them. We don't use our tithing for our tax return so we have no need for someone to "keep track" of how much we give. Our church would also NEVER come to us and ask for more. They may make a general announcement about a certain area needing more, but they'll have the faith it will come in as needed. Sometimes we give every week, sometimes it's just monthly or when hubby gets paid. Sometimes its 10%, sometimes more, sometimes less. We have several "funds" set up, for the building costs (electric, water, etc basic necessities), missions, scholarships, church planting, etc. You can give to one or several just by marking it on your envelope. Occasionally for special things they'll ask for a 2nd offering and once a month for the Benevolent Fund after communion. We had a speaker sunday about church planting and giving to that ministry. He did say though that your giving to that should be above and beyond your normal 10% of tithing to your church.

I don't think ANY church should ask you to give or approach you but ITA with those above about if you attend a church it's your duty to give and it's biblically commanded to by God.

DH and I have a disagreement on this every Sunday. I give an offering every week because I am a member of the church and money is need to pay bills. A church has to be heated, roofs need to be repaired and money should go to taking care of the members of your church. DH believes that it is the same as paying to go to church. He had an unfortunate experience when he was younger with a Church that really pushed the money issue. I have explained to him that at my Church an offering is welcomed but not required. Everyone regardless of whether or not they contribute is welcome and encourage to particpate.

It sounds that you give weekly but your church is asking for more. Maybe you should find out if there is a goal they are working towards or explain that you are giving all you can right now. If you feel that you chuch is asking to much maybe it is not the church for you. Good Luck!

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Barb, your husband sounds like my father-in-law. He "let's" my mother-in-law tithe b/c she works and it's her choice and he respects her beliefs but 'money' is always one of his biggest beefs with the church, he doesn't understand about giving to missions and other areas than just so they can pay their bills.

What if you are low income and simply don't have an extra 10% of your income to give or any for that matter?

Does the lord accept volunteer work instead?

Catholic churches in our area (can't speak for any other religion) also use the "offering/tithing" envelopes (those with your name on it) as a way of tracking your contributions - not just for tax purposes. Are you a regular contributing member of the church? Yes, then we'll help you - scholarship for your child to go to private Catholic school, other needs, etc. Not, well, we only have so much to give and can only spread things around so far. Also, do you volunteer "enough" with the church? Help out in other areas? All a part of it. Our church regularly sends letters and makes pleas in the church for financial help to pay their debts - for the buildings mostly.

I seem to recall my sister telling me once about the church board members (of her church) coming to her house to discuss their families tithing amounts with her and her husband. How much should we be putting you down for? Is that truly all you can afford? You seem to be doing so well? By the way, you still need to pay for your children to go to catochism classes, even if you teach in one of the classes.

Don't get me started. I completely agree/understand about the need to pay for staff, heat/cool the buildings, etc. My mom worked for the church for many, many years.

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Valerie
Proud mommy to Jaymes Xavier 6/4/03 & Abigail Victoria 5/5/06

Be thankful that they dont force you by legal means to give. Some foreign countries take the tithe right out of your paycheck before you even see it. I forget what country that our missionary goes to but he said the catholic church gets 10% before you even see it. It is a predominantly catholic country .. Might be New Zealand but im not sure at this moment. God doesn't want a dime unless it is given by choice and out of love.

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Amanda: Mom of 5 beautiful kiddos. We are a non-vaxing, unschooling, homechurching, and farming family. We are unique and love every minute of it

Expecting #6 on June 28th 2007

Good Grief! The EXACT reason I became a Buddhist. As a christian I Got tired of half or more of the service asking for money. Sorry but it SEEMS to be ALL baout cha ching at alot of them.

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My DH and I are assistant pastors in our church. Tithes and offereings are important for the reasons that someone stated earlier....the churches have bills that need to be paid as well. They ahve the utilities, the mortgage and the supplies that get used, just like all of us have. The only way they get their money is from the offerings accepted. HOWEVER, I won't go to a church that begs, pleads and screams for not tithing. Our head pastors don't take a paycheck from our church at all and I really respect that.
I'm confused about the comments on the mormon church though. One of my best friends is mormon and doens't get to go into the temple or whatever it's called because she isn't a full member cause she doesn't tithe. :huh:
As to the low income family comment....it's something that unless you are tithing you don't fully understand, but there is a principle of sowing and reaping that really does take affect. When we started tithing, our income level went up, our bills started going down and our money stretched further than ever before. It's not a concept we can fully understand with our minds until you take that step of faith and do it.

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