How much do you donate to your church?

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

So, apparently, our church would like 5% of our income. I want to use the money to overpay on our huge mortgage so that I don't have to work until I'm 72. My husband wants to give them the 5%. What level of donation do other church goers with young families make?

We tithe 10% by standing order and give extra when we can or for special offerings.

The bible speaks about tithing the first 10% of your income.

We are part of a Christian church. No one is obliged to give and no one is ostracised if they don't tithe.

I don't think there has to be a set amount but many find around 10% to be a fairly practical amount to donate. We go for a 10% baseline then other stuff on top, charities, people we know in need etc, not sure exactly how much. We don't have much as dh is a vicar which isn't exaclty well paid but I can honestly say that somehow in giving there's always been enough. Sometimes a scrape but sometimes more too, unexpectedly. I always remember the verse from Malachi which talks about how God will honour tithing and we've found this to be the case in a really mysterious way. But it's true to say that giving should be from a cheerful place and a place you feel happy with and have come to agreement about, and you should never put yourself in dept or financial jeopardy in order to tithe. There's common sense to be deployed too.

I am very happy about what our church does with money. As well as inevitable fabric costs the church itself gives to many charities and local projects - eg debt advice centres, homeless shelters, food banks, women's refuges etc. It also does a heck of a lot for the local community. It's great to see what can be done. But even though its a large church it's struggling financially so sometimes we have to ask - but never ask in such a way as to pressurise, we never suggest amounts and we don't take a collection, because we don't want visitors to feel they have to give money. Not what we're about. (We do have a collection plate just left at the back so people can if they want.)

Sorry - long post! But wanted to encourage you; it's not so much the amount but the attitude of mind and heart.

Thanks for all the responses. It's interesting to read all your views, and the information about how churches use money. The church we have just joined has a predominately affluent retired community, and far fewer people of my generation. I wonder how the church will raise enough funds to keep running in say 20 years? I guess the affluent retired professionals must be funding everything at present.

If you are new to church and want to start giving, it is a huge step to give anywhere near 10%.

As you mature in your Christian faith, it becomes easier to give more. You see the benefits and appreciate the blessings that you receive in return. You know where the money is going and realise that these things are important to you and your community.

The great preacher, Wesley, once said, “earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can”. This is something that resonates with me and my family.

So, give what you can, and receive God’s blessings. The reinvest.

you have to be in the mindset to give. if you are not there, you are not there. you need to compromise with your husband and work out what you want to dotogether. It does require quite a bit of committment and sureness of your faith to want to give to the church.

I have found that when Ihavegiven, we have not been left short of money and unexpected things turn up to coever the cost. I still have issues with money though as how I was brought up, it is a process.

I'm ashamed to say that I don't give anywhere near 10% to my Church although I do have a monthly standing order, support all the social and fundraising activities and spend 5-8 hours a week on voluntary work for the Church.
I always assumed that the 10% tithe was established before the introduction of income tax, NI contributions and the Welfare State. I thought that a large share of the tithe was used to support the poor, sick and needy people of the parish before state benefits were available.

I'm not religious so this may be a bit cheeky. Why give them anything? The CoE has billions in cash and investments and billions more in assets and land. They do not need your money if you need it.

Lichtie the Church of England has a lot of assets, but if you use capital for running costs they won't last very long!

Local parishes have to pay the cost of the vicar, and they have to pay for the upkeep of the church, and they have to pay for all the other things that the church does, from toddler groups to food banks, and they normally also donate as a church to various charities.

Imagine how it would be if a group of say 30 of your friends had to pay for the maintenance and heating of a grade 1 listed medieval building out of their pocket, and at the same time have to pay part of someone's salary, and at the same time pay for lots of other things and then give to charity. That's the position that churches, and churchgoers are in.

I give 10% of my net income, plus more on an as and when basis (eg buying the Big Issue). I don't always like it, but I think it's the right thing to do.

I aim for 5% of take home pay to the church and 5% to charity. I don't earn very much, so this isn't a large amount, but when things have been tough, I've given less in order to pay for necessities.

10% ish of net income to our church, plus various ad hoc giving to food bank, youth work, etc. Our church does a huge amount of work with the vulnerably housed, disadvantaged teens etc., as well as upkeeping the buildings, paying off the mortgage, paying staff who oversee teams of volunteers, as well as running the Sunday services etc. Our giving goes straight out so we never miss it.

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