Tithing

Avatar for travinski
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
Tithing
13
Mon, 02-07-2005 - 6:06pm
Does anyone believe tithing makes a difference? I never did before - I always thought it was just a church's way of making extra money but I know a time in my life when I did give quite a bit to charity and miraculously I still had a good grip on my finances. I donate to a few charities on a monthly basis (one is a foster child from Haiti - I do not want to give that up)but wonder if I'm generous to a fault- my mother who is extremely generous describes me as such, in a very loving, non-judgemental kind of way.

Travi

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
In reply to: travinski
Wed, 02-09-2005 - 12:09am

Yup, I do believe it makes a HUGE difference. You know the saying about a closed fist can't accept gifts while an open hand can? It kind of relates. If we're holding so tightly to our money, our possessions, our anything, we aren't making the room for the universe to gift us with more.

I look at money like this: it flows in and out of our lives. More out than in at the moment, lol, but all the same-if I tried to hold onto it, it'd be just like trying to stop a river as far as I'm concerned. Amazingly enough, until I'd convinced myself otherwise, I have always had great luck with money. I always believed that it would be there when I needed it, and it always is.

My Mom's saying was, "We give because we can." There is always someone out there who is in more need than I am. This belief of mine drives my DH and tax preparer bonkers come this time of year because I really don't keep track of what I give where. It's not about keeping a score card-"Well, I gave $XX this time, I expect to get $XX back." It really is about the whole karma thing-if I give because I can now, perhaps if I ever have need someone will be giving because THEY can, and on and on.

I am a Catholic too, and at least in our parish, we don't HAVE to give the 10% all to the church. We can give 5% to the church, and the other 5% to some other organization. This also includes the whole "Time,Talent & Treasure" package that Kelly talked about. (Although, sometimes it seems as if our Time & Talent aren't wanted nearly as much as our Treasure, but that's a whole 'nother story, my friends!). Just this year, we finally are doing the 5% (money) to the church. We give the other 5% in time at the library, and some of the other civic organizations we belong to. It really was a huge step in faith, but I'm guessing that the universe has made it this far without my input, so I'm guessing if we let go the universe will have our back.

I think the tithing thing gives us a whole lot more than we give it, if that makes sense. Even when we were in really deep debt, we could always find something to give-old clothes, etc for the charity store, money in the Salvation Army bell ringers buckets, tossing change in a parking lot for kids to find--there's always a way. I really don't know what to tell you about being in debt and deciding whether to give or not-if it's causing you undue stress, maybe cut back some and pick just a couple of places to give your money to until you're able to give more.

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
In reply to: travinski
Wed, 02-09-2005 - 9:34am

I believe that tithing or donating of your time and talent makes a huge difference not just in the person/s on the receiving end, but changes your heart and attitude by being the giver. I don't think that 10% is a strict number. I think it is a guideline. Sometimes you can give more, sometimes less. It's all in the attitude with which you are giving. God loves a cheerful giver. The last 2 years I volunteer taught ESL at my church instead of tithing. The reason I did so was because I know that God wants me to be debt-free and He knew how much I wanted to be debt-free also so that I can be free from debt-slavery and focus on what's more important. Also, I was giving my talent for which I could be paid for easily..in fact, since last summer I gave up the volunteering and began private tutoring to take in more income so I could pay off debts. The money has actually become insignificant. I love teaching, and I often forget when it's time to be paid again. So now, I'm back to giving at church. I really think it's your attitude about money and material wealth that is what's important to God. It all belongs to HIm anyway. If you get the chance to take the Crown Financial course...it is so worth it, applying Biblical principles to basic budgeting.
Those are MY personal beliefs, anyway.

cheers,
slojuly

Avatar for travinski
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
In reply to: travinski
Wed, 02-09-2005 - 4:58pm
Wow! Great responses and very interesting! Actually Suzie Ormond also suggests giving some of your money to charity. I don't know how or why but it seems to help when WE help. Now, with regards to the comment about having an overdraft balance, it is very tough BUT, part of my debt goes to a Foster Child in Haiti - the poorest country in Central America and twice a year I send him gifts. The other charity is Amnesty International and after seeing some of the work they do on television, I feel that we need to be "our brother's (sister's)keeper" and have a moral obligation to help out those whose situation is far, far worse than mine. I also believe that if you do give, somehow you manage to do it without further financial problems and may in fact, lessen the load. I don't know why this works - I am not a very religious person - but there's something to it - I just know it based on past experience. Thanks everyone for your posts!

Travi

 

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