I am a christian and I pay my tithes to my church...but haven't been in a while due to some things,and so I have been putting it up for when I go back...but my mom is in a very bad situation and I would like to help her and I want to know if that would be wrong to give her that money which is for God? Is it my money even to give?? I hope someone can give me some advice, I believe in giving my 10% to the church but want to help someone in need... what would you do?
2007-12-27 15:30:03 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Put an I.O.U. in the collection plate. Oh yeah Bob, without getting into great details, you should know that gifts can be tax deductible, this comes from a CPA.
2007-12-27 15:40:08 · answer #1 · answered by phree 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That would be smart ! And caring !
Too many organizations use the money that should go to those in need for padding the pockets of others . A "charitable" organization is rated "good" if they only give 30% of the money collected to the "charitable" cause. 10% is considered "acceptable" . The rest can go to pay huge salaries to the people who operate the charity ( often the same ones who founded that particular charity ! ) Or as the "Old Guy 63 ( above) noted it can go for comforts for the members : Air Conditioning , limos , parties ( a favorite for First Aid Squads in some states ) , decorations , etc.The purpose of tithing the church is to help them ( NOT God ! If he exists he certainly doesn't need money ) pay the basic expenses (electricity , insurance , etc.) , AND to give them resources to help the needy that they find .
You have found someone needy and I am sure your church has more than enough resources to take care of basics . So do what you can to help those people , including your mom ,that you found .
Lucid fredom ... I'm glad you found giving churches . There seem to be few . I passed the Catholic Church that I grew up with on Christmas Night . Homeless people were sleeping on the steps in the cold because the extremely rich New York Arch Diocese doesn't want these "dirty" people smelling up the inside of their expensive church . (So much for the lesson of Jesus working amongst the lepers !) . There is a Soup Kithen in Atlantic City run by a Christian woman that serves thousands of meals a week to the needy . But it operates in the ( very ) red while a huge expensive (rented monthly) Catholic billboard tells people to pray to the Virgin Mary . Too bad people can't eat billboards !
PS gifts can be tax deductible , BUT then the person who receives them has to report them as income .
By the way I give my money and help to people and places I am sure are deserving of my money . ( I am an Atheist .)
Sister Jean's Soup Kitchen AC NJ .
Popcorn Park Zoo ( Newark Humane Societies NJ ) .
Puppy Adoption League , NJ .
North Shore Animal League Northport LI NY .
Marine Animal Stranding Center Brigantine NJ .
Local branches of the Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America .
2007-12-27 15:44:21 · answer #2 · answered by allure45connie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newsflash, God is a PERFECT being. He doesn't need your 5 bucks or your "help" or support. Only man thinks they are so powerful that they can rob God or enrich God.
The answer is to come from love. Your question suggests you're in a place of fear. Come from love and you'll never be lost.
Remember, religion is for people who are trying to keep from going to hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there.
Of all the times people pick and choose what is in the Bible, NOW is the time. There's a part in the Bible about honoring your mother and father. Tithing is only a suggestion. Tithing is solely to make us givers. Not tithing is not a sin. Fear and apprehension is no way to make decisions or live life. Follow your heart here. You know what to do.
2007-12-27 15:45:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go pay your moms outstanding bills, buy her some food, ect. in the name of the Lord. Do not let her know that it was you. Don't even mention it.........to anyone but God. I believe this is an honorable thing to do in the eyes of the Lord. You do not need to give only to your church. Personally you can accomplish more than any charity, by supplying food and clothing to the poor in your area. You can send charities a hundred bucks and watch 10 go to administrative, 10 to pay for the building, 10 for utilities ect. and if your lucky 70 goes to actually help the needy. Or you can contribute the entire 100 to help a family pay their light bill or buy some groceries.
2007-12-27 15:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by Gary M 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A biblical tithe is the tenth of the increase of produce and livestock. No one who earned wages was ever required to tithe on their income.
Tithing on income is one of those perversions of Scripture Christ warned about; deceptions and deceivers. No church has the right to demand or require people to tithe any more than they have the right to demand you practice circumcision or sacrifices.
The old covenant points of law went with the old covenant. Christians are under the new covenant.
Help your mother. Paying tithes to a church is not giving to God, and there is nothing you can give to God anyway. It is God who gives to you eternal life as a gift.
The conclusion of the issue regarding the keeping of the law in Acts 15 was that it was a subversion of a Christian's soul to require them to keep the law; any of it.
In this case, love for your own parent is being overshadowed by your belief you have to tithe to a church. This is a subversion of your soul.
Quit supporting wolves in sheep's clothing.
.
2007-12-27 20:23:57 · answer #5 · answered by Hogie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be careful about how you donate. Many not-for-profit organizations, including churches, spend most of their money on fund raising and administration (administrators personal salary and compensation) and very little on helping those in need. I know, I am CEO of NfP and have seen gross abuses and we have only accepted 2 cents in donations since 1985 and have operated in the black the whole time. BTW: I solicited the 2 cents so we could name our outhouse after the donor who had a good sense of humor.
There are web sites that assess the percent of donated funds that benefit the public good.
My main concern is that the funds be used to treat even the least of these, God's children, as though they were God Himself and I'm an atheist.
2007-12-27 15:41:20 · answer #6 · answered by valcus43 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Taking care of God's sheep (congregation) is a privilege for ministers of God. A true minister does their job through heartfelt motivation and not money. Jesus didn't solicit money and neither should churches. Contributions should come from the heart condition of a person in appreciation not a mandatory set amount from every check. The bible itself says "Giving is better than receiving." To help someone in need means you have a good heart, no matter the religion. God doesn't need your money. Giving money to the church is not his commission, doing the preaching work is his only command for us to do, not give money from every check.
2007-12-27 15:47:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that! I give my tithe to those in need and to the church! You are still giving it to the Lord!! Ask the Lord where He would have you give the money and He will show you! God bless you!!
2007-12-27 15:45:36 · answer #8 · answered by Jenny 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't want to mislead you, but I had a similar circumstance and I stopped givingmy money to the church because they were just spending it on themselves, for softer seats, air conditioning, and beautiful carpets etc. My son was at the time in a real financial dilema and so I gavemy tithe to him. I prayed about it much and had a peace from God that was what to do. Since that time I have given what money I give to people outside the church with needs.
2007-12-27 15:37:00 · answer #9 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
i know that our church is voluntary donations, no tithe.
i would suggest you use the money to help your mother. One of the things Jesus taught that the most important quality is Love of our brother (our family, etc.) taking care of our families and those close to us was something he wanted us to do. A person in need can definitely use it more and its showing and displaying those qualities of love and unselfishness.
If your church has a problem with you giving your money to help your family or someone you feel needs it, then there is a problem, you're doing the right thing, take care of your mom, or whoever needs it.
2007-12-27 15:40:38 · answer #10 · answered by Ginger 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It would not be wrong for you to honor your mother by helping her out with some finances.
<< o come on people, do you REALLy think that God is going to smite this person for giving his MOTHER some money instead of an organized church that is apparently having some issues??>>
2007-12-27 15:34:53 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋