How much do you put in the offering?

I must have missed something here. The question is how much a person gives weekly to the church.

I thought that no one knows how I vote in a poll.
How can this be intrusive or any different from any other poll?

Nothing was said about declaring the amount to the church, pastor, or other board members.

I found it a very interesting poll and wish that others would have participated. Your answer might have encouraged people to give more.

 

I openly give my amounts by name.
I even get a yearly receipt.
I report it to the U.S. Govenment.
I don't have to pay taxes on what
I give to the church.
Thus I let the U.S.Government pay 18% of my
contributions.
(If i didn't give the money to a church
or gave the money without claiming it,
i'd have to pay 18% income tax to the
USGovernemnt).

BTW my USGovernment income tax witholding
is more in 2004 than my total earnings in 1978.
I've had the same job since 1976.

[ January 15, 2005, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: Ed Edwards ]

 

I think Ben is also the guy who asked about when we went on vacation and where we live.....just looked for it in archives but can't find it.

The majority of your posts are wholesome and uplifting but this is a little creepy, Ben.

 

A minimum wage earner with a full-time job
would who tithed would be in the $21-30
category of givers. I see three less than
that or about 10%. I know there are some
who don't have full-time jobs. I know some
retirement systems (especially no retirement)
that provide less than minimum wage.

I used to fill out reports to individual
givers of what they gave during the year.
It was interesting. I mean, you have an idea
of what folks do for a living and can
figure out how much they are giving.
My church of 500 members and 150 average
attendance on sunday morning had about
20 tithing families. These 20 families
gave 80% of the support of the church.
Knowing who gave what as i did, it was
the same 20 families giving 80% of the
donated money who gave
90% of the donated labor.
(I was also on the nominating committe
which got labor donations from people).

There are also some who just "tip"
having jobs that pay more than minimu
wage but just give a $5 bill each weak,
some $10.

I had one pastor who asked if the candidates
being considered for deacon were tithers
or not. He dropped consideration of the
non-tither; considered further those
who were tithers. I did the same thing,
even under the pastor who didn't ask.

 

I think Ben is also the guy who asked about when we went on vacation and where we live.....just looked for it in archives but can't find it.

The majority of your posts are wholesome and uplifting but this is a little creepy, Ben. </font>[/QUOTE]Now, ralb, I had to get after Gib and he was pleasant about it.

I don't see a thing creepy about Ben's posts.
Look at the other discussions forum for example.
All kinds of "personal" questions are asked, and answered IF you WANT to, including what grocery store you use.
On this polls forum, there is a current thread about what is taboo to you.
Look at the hobbies and travel forum for many types of questions. Do you go to the theatre is being discussed now.
The books forum asks what books you are reading.

One of the reasons for private women's and men's forums is because of the potential private nature of conversations. Those that start them are generally assumed to have a question, not to be creepy. I don't plan to participate in the photo album. But those who choose to be that personal are not being creepy.
Some people on this board choose to be completely transparent, others are at every point of the spectrum on anonymity.

Karen

 

Karen

You "had to get after" Gib? Meaning what. Over a simple opinion?

I still think it's creepy. As I stated, most of Ben's posts ARE uplifting, however this does IMO cross the line. I by the way answered the questions about vacation and where I lived, but afterward I wished I hadn't.

ralb

 

In other words, I disagreed with him and stated so. As I am disagreeing with you. If Ben's posts are creepy, most of the BB is, too. But I don't think that either Ben or the BB are creepy. Disagreeing with an opinion is not a personal attack.
You are reading too much into my words. Gib is a great guy and has a fun sense of humor.

Take a look at the content of most of the threads on the fellowship forums.
If you wished, you could answer all kinds of questions about your diet, how much you spend weekly on groceries, when you put up and take down your Christmas tree, do you color your hair, what did you eat for supper last night, where did you spend Thanksgiving Day, do you crochet, what is your job title, what is your seller name on ebay. Well, you get the idea.
It strikes me as curious that you specifically consider Ben's questions creepy.

Karen

[ January 17, 2005, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: Karen ]

 

I agree with what Sister Karen is saying.

 

and I thought it was halirious

 

The Bible refers to a tithe. That's 10%. People can think in terms of net and gross, but being an Independent Baptist, I choose to err on the side of caution for most things, so I give 10% of my gross.

 

At least 10% of my gross goes into the offering.

Sunday School, deacon's, missionary giving, etc. is all above the 10%.

That's my conviction - but I'll not beat you about the head over it!

PS - do those who tithe net - give 10% of their tax returns - if they get one?

 

Dan,

I am self-employed, so I always wind up owing more at tax-time. I dont suppose tithing from the tax refund would be required, since it does not increase your substance but merely gives you back what you overpaid (render to Caesar what is his, not what isnt). Of course, offerings have no % on them.

 

i give my tithe, my missions, and any other money that the Lord lays upon my heart to give.