For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.
In the past we've discussed what Christians believe about giving (and how much -- or should I say how little -- they actually give). On a related note, I've even asked if our welfare state is a result of Christians not living up to their calling to give to the poor and needy. But I've never put a number on the difference between what should be given and what actually is donated. Well, now someone has.
Check out this piece which details how much extra money would be available if Christians simply lived up to their commitment to give:
Are U.S. churchgoers stingy? That's one possible conclusion from a newly updated report that shows if parishioners tithed the biblically recommended 10 percent of their income -- instead of their current 2.56 percent -- an extra $161 billion would be flowing to charity.
Whether you believe in tithing or generous giving, it seems to me that 10% of gross income is a reasonable giving goal for Christians to shoot for. And if we all did give 10%, we'd have an extra $161 billion to feed the poor. Now look at where our government spends our money and see what $161 billion PER YEAR could do. I'll save you the time and cut to the chase: it could do a lot.
Before I go on, let's round out this discussion with a few more bits of information:
- Churchgoers, at 2.26 percent given to charity, outpaced the general population, which gave 1.8 percent. Nearly two-thirds of all U.S. charitable donations were funneled through churches or religious institutions.
- Financial vitality, they say, is a key indicator of overall church health. Money given to the church is divided into two sub-categories for analysis: benevolences (such as international and local missions, denominational support and seminary support) and congregational finances (such as salaries, operating budgets and building costs).
- Giving for benevolences in 2007 hit an all-time low, with an average of just 14 percent of member contributions going to needs beyond the church, down from a high of 21 percent 40 years ago. Ronsvalle said this may indicate churches believe that "maintenance is adequate" and are more concerned with being financially sound than contributing to missions.
- Ronsvalle said churches have become complacent -- "lukewarm" is the term the Bible uses -- and are no longer challenging themselves to do extraordinary things. There is a "lack of vision" and churchgoers have a hard time seeing how their contribution to missions can affect the world or its problems.
A few more thoughts:
1. Ok, so Christians are marginally better than non-Christians at giving. But there are what -- something like a bazillion verses on giving in the Bible? Wouldn't you expect someone who reads/believes what the Bible says to give a whole lot more than Mr. and Mrs. Average who may or may not be reading the same sort of stuff on giving? I would hope so.
2. Looks like churches are better at building buildings and paying staff than anything else. Now don't get me wrong, there certainly is a place for this (we need places to worship and people to minister after all.) But if we all gave at the 10% level, there would be a better balance -- something like 2% going to churches and 8% going to help the needy.
3. The reference to "lukewarm" is one that's hard to comprehend in just a few verses because it's from the book of Revelation (tons of symbolism). That said, I wanted to share it with you anyway:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Revelation 3:14-19
4. Someone's going to say it, so I might as well bring it up. They'll comment something like, "That's why we pay taxes -- to help the poor and needy. That's how we 'give.' " My response is that's a cop-out. I see verses on giving in the Bible, I see verses on helping the poor, and I see verses on paying your taxes, but I don't see anything that says, "Pay your taxes and you don't need to worry about giving or helping the poor."
5. It just seems to me that we're losing lots of opportunities to give to those who are hurting -- especially in this time of economic trouble. It seems like such a shame.
So am I being too harsh here? Or are these criticisms valid?
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