To think that 10% pre-tax income is a LOT to give away annually?

[notnownorma]

Friend is a member of one of those tithing churches that encourages people to give away (not just to the church, to foodbanks, development/medical charities etc) 10% of one's annual income. They do it pre-income tax [don't think that's mandated but they do] and cut their lifestyle accordingly (very modest). That's a lot, surely?
What do MNetters give as a percentage? Not looking for actual sums, more a percentage.

It's a lot for some people, certainly. If you're earning £18,000 then £1800 is going to make a significant dent in your living costs.

If you're on 120k and you decide you can live as if you're on £108k I don't think many people would feel sorry for you

The thing is, the tithing is Biblically Mandated which for some churches is a big thing (all scripture is god-breathed, and that). What they forget is that Old Testament - and mediaeval - tithing was basically your taxes. Someone who's paying 30% of their income is contributing proportionally more to Community Health, Social Services and Poor Relief than a Bronze-Age farmer giving a tenth to the temple.

10% after tax for us. Our church runs a homeless shelter, does outreach work with teens, runs a food bank etc so it’s our charitable giving. Although we do give to appeals like Ukraine from time to time as well.

For us it’s about recognising our relative good fortune (although really not rich by any stretch of the imagination) and giving back to God and others. Like Jesus said “love God and love your neighbour”.

Our church encourages us to give as we are able which I think is an important part of discipleship.

The vast majority of churches in the UK are charities. So it’s all easily available for anyone to look up the accounts online.

I do 5% but it's after tax, not pre-tax.

If your church is the centre of your life it makes perfect sense to donate a tithe. I think it's more the case that we often don't understand how central a church can be to a person's life.

It is simply what Christians are supposed to do. Although few do.

I think, for people who believe in tithing, the point is that that tithe (whether a strict 10% or in whatever manner you feel led to give) belongs to God. It isn’t your money you are giving away, but God’s money. If you believe everything you have comes from God, then it’s not that you are giving away 10%, it’s that you are taking back 90%.

when you see it from that perspective, it becomes all about God’s generosity to us rather than our generosity to the church or to God.

so it isn’t that someone on 24k is doing without 2.4K. It’s more about the fact that money wasn’t theirs in the first place.

probably not explaining very clearly. It’s a different mindset that’s all.

fwiw my church doesn’t demand a tithe at all. They set out their costs, we give as we can, and then the church itself tithes 15% of all its income - this goes to support missionaries or to other charities. All very clear on the accounts. No idea what proportion of income other church goers give. Our treasurer states that if everyone gave 2% they estimate they’d have enough to meet running costs, repair fabric of the building, etc. some people give more, some less. All are welcome whether they give or not.

what I give personally intends to be a fixed monthly sum rather than an amount which fluctuates with my income. I give to church and to other charities I support. I don’t tend to think of it as “if I didn’t give this then I could have a weekend away,” it’s more “because I give this, that child has access to education, this one has clean water, that young mother is supported to keep her child, and our church leadership can afford to live here and teach and pastor us.”

Yeah, we try and do 10% post-tax - although I think it’s probably more around 8%.

We have dropped a chunk of our church giving at the moment to give to a friend who is struggling so we’re no worse off but the church is for a few months. The rest goes to a medical charity, a homeless charity, two environmental charities and two overseas small charities working with street kids. It is occasionally intimated by the church that 10% should go to the church but we have never done that and never will do.

We have done this since we got married. Initially the amount was very small but it has got larger in actual terms but stayed the same in percentage terms. I think it works for people. I find it easier to say we have a giving budget and we’re maxed out on it than to just say “no” in my mind.

I don’t tithe regularly, but I have a sort of tithe ‘pot’ in my head. I would rather give a large amount to something occasionally than drip feed; this isn’t a value judgement , it is just how it works for me. For example, I have made substantial contributions to appeals, especially for arts/ museums/ digs. At the moment , I’m examining commissioning a musical work for a specific cause ( can’t say more). These are things which benefit many people, hopefully for a long time, and which often have difficulty attracting donations ( no heart rending pictures!)

At least one of the tithing churches uses the tithed funds to support members' living costs - being somewhat cynical I'd put this down to being controlling rather than charitable. We have one of their compounds locally.

Tithing itself isn't unusual, in Germany there's a Church Tax of 8% or 9% depending where you live. It's collected by the state and goes to your chosen faith organisation. You can opt out by leaving the faith, but you then don't get to be part of the church community (see www.dw.com/en/no-tax-no-church-perks-german-court-rules/a-16263113).

Personally, I have issues with churches having charitable status whilst they continue to hold exemptions from equality legislation, etc.

Same here. A couple of small monthly DDs and one monthly donation via Gift Aid payroll giving. And then random donations as they arise such as the Bowel Babe fund and donating to my local parkrun so they could buy a shed to store the kit in. You've made me think though, as I got a payrise I might look into increasing my donations a bit.

10% of PRE tax income sounds like a lot. I'd probably deduct council tax too, as it's a non-negotiable bill.

10% is pretty common in churches, either as an expectation or a guideline. I’ve never heard anyone make a rule about whether it should be pre or post tax. It’s supposed to be as generous as you can be rather than as little as you can get away with.

The 10% thing annoys me actually. 10% is relative so those on a higher income are going to feel the effects a lot less than those on a lower. It should be whatever you feel you can afford.

We give more than 10% (post tax) if you include charities as well as church, and always have since starting work, so we don't miss it. However in all the churches I've been in no-one including the leader/pastor/vicar has any idea what anyone else is giving, there's usually just one finance person who manages the bank account who would know. No one would ever speak to anyone individually about their giving or put pressure on you. 10% was an Old Testament requirement so lots of Christians find it a good guideline/ starting point but I'm sure plenty give less or more.

While I am no longer religious, I grew up in the Church of Scotland and 'tithing' is seen as a good thing that you should aim towards.

I would add the CoS disclaimer is 'if you can afford it', so not if you're struggling with dependents, on benefits etc (I don't know what other churches / sects expect).

I commit 10% of my net income to charities on an annual basis, which is normally set up as DDs throughout the year, although I also make larger donations at Christmas and on my birthday.

We give 10%

You get used to it. I've always done it so it's just normal.

It's like running a car, I've run a car since I was 18, I've had to factor in a monthly amount for tax, insurance, mot, repairs and petrol since I started working. It's not like I'm having factor in a new cost now after being used to a higher disposable income.

My late DM went to an Anglican church, where it was the norm among many of the congregation to do that. However, since she was a widow without any source of income other than her pension, 10% of her weekly pension was rather a lot for them to expect of her. She needed every penny to live on, and always felt guilty that she couldn't give enough.

Roman Catholic Church is fucking wealthy and I will not donate a penny to it. Allegedly has enough money to end world hunger or to be doing a bit more that than what they are now.

Local charities who work directly with other sources then yes I do donate, not only in my money but also time.

I don't support religious causes if I can help it.

Our church accounts are published annually (though donors payments are not separated out). It's very obvious where money goes, no opportunity for skimming.

Some people give time instead of money. Others, money instead of time!

We give much more than a tithe of my income, but much less than a tithe of DH's. He's not really a church goer, just comes with me on occasion.

People don't always realise that individual churches are paid for by the congregation. If you local church needs the boiler repairing, then the regular members of the congregation are probably paying for it. There are about 20 of us in my church. It costs a fair bit!

Depends on the household income. 90% of a fortune leaves a lot of money to live a luxury life on, 90% of 25k doesn't leave much.

Our church doesn't state an amount anyone should give. We do around 10 percent, mixture of some to church and the rest to other christian charities we feel are important to us. Some is given as direct debit, a smaller amount as one offs in response to things happening eg disasters etc. Our church has no excess money, the pastor has a very modest salary, the church also gives to charities. I think it is for people to decide themselves in the context of how they read the Bible ( which does suggest you give the 'first fruits' and a general concern for those less well off. It also cautions against making a big show of giving and the poor woman who gave a 'mite' gave mire than the rich man who gave easily. We do occasionally think we'd have a better car if we didn't but are happy with the level of giving.

Yes I think it's quite normal in some church circles. We do about 10% net. Thinking of it though, the church doesn't ask for it, it's more something we ourselves decided along the way. I don't believe it's mandated at all. I wouldn't expect someone on benefits to do it.

As for the church accounts, we sit through the meticulously prepared finance report once a quarter in an open meeting so it is clearly seen where the money goes.