Real life MMD: Should I stop my 10% charity payment?

A question about : Real life MMD: Should I stop my 10% charity payment?

Money Moral Dilemma: Should I stop my 10% charity payment?

For years, I have given a percentage of my earnings to my church - like many worshippers. I am a recent divorc! and bought my ex-wife's half of our house, so now pay the whole mortgage on my own. I just manage to survive with very little spare money at the end of each month. Should I stop the charity gift to ease my financial situation?

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Best answers:

• Of course you should. Harsh as it may sound, it's an unnecessary outgoing that, at this time, you can't afford to make. If you feel really guilty about cancelling it, make an appointment to talk it over with your pastor.
  (And if he does make you feel guilty about it, find a cheaper religion )
• Do what you feel is right for you.
  I was a single mum of 2 going to church every week and while I didn't contribute financially on a regular basis, I volunteered my time to help the church.
  I designed and printed posters and tickets for events, I was on the fundraising committee for church repairs, I served refreshments after services and I contacted local radio and newspapers to gain publicity for events and fundraising.
  God won't judge you for not contributing for a while.
• Giving to charity is purely voluntary.
  If you're raking it in and feel loaded maybe you would feel guilty about not giving to charity
  However charity begins at home and if you haven't got money to spare then you have to look after number 1
  Simple
• It is just like anything else; if you can't afford it, don't do it. It is a luxury you cannot afford.
• The church in the post is generally defined thus there could be differences in the translation and tradition.
  However, from the Catholic Gospel, I think that this is the answer:
  "(1) When [Jesus] looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury (2) and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. (3) He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; (4) for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."
  (Luke 21:1-4)
  I think it's self explanatory as an answer to the post.
  Regards
• I'm coming from this from a different angle as I'm a founder and chair of a charity.
  Because we are small (but make a big difference (even if I'm bias!), we use every penny given to it on making the kids we help smile and stretch the pennies with sales, discounts, loopholes etc. Donations are very important to us BUT I would never want someone to donate more than they can afford, if that means they give a tiny donation or no donation at all, it's ok. I would hate someone becoming unable to provide for their family or going into/adding to debt for us. We encourage people to help in other ways (like sending a card, collecting used stamps, spreading the word, donating old mobiles etc.
  Edited to say we have received some very special donations, sometimes the kids we help have given us their pocket money, another boy who is waiting for a lung transplant planned a stall and sat in a hall all afternoon raising Ј15. How priceless those donations are
• 10%???? Way to generous for me, why dont you reduce it 1%, on a Ј1500 monthly wage thats still Ј15. Most other charities its a Ј2 pm deal lol
• Er, yes...what's the dilemma? If you carry on paying money to your church you'll end up bankrupt. And then you'll be seeking charity back, or state benefits, or both. As in everything, only spend money you can afford to spend.
• Simple answer, YES!
  I'm in a similar situation and before my marriage break up I used to donate Ј5 to around six different charities a month. Not a lot but it helped them. I can no longer afford to do so and had to cancel the standing orders and direct debits. Imwrote to each charity and told them why I was stopping donating. I received lovely understanding replies from them all. No charity wants to see anyone struggle to help them. When I am in a position to, I will restart my donations, this may be in many years time, but iy is something I will do when I can afford to.
  I am sure your church will understand if yo explain the situation to them. As others have said, donations of help and time are just as useful and welcomed. I know as that is what I do now when I can.
• Yes in an ideal world you would continue to give your tithe to the church but in your present circumstances that just isn't practicable. When things improve for you financially then you can look at it again. No church will surely expect you to go without.
• Voluntering your time would be just as valuabe as others said, that way you are still giving as you clearly wish to.
• the church of england have 4 million invest in newscorp international its not like they are short of a few bob ..
• What a shocker, the first page and its turned into a faith debate!
  If you cannot afford your gift now, then you canot afford it. Why not donate your time?
• "I just manage to survive with very little spare money at the end of each month."
  In my experience people's interpretation of this varies widely, every individual's definition of "need" is different (and some are quite detached from reality).
  If it's a Christian church (as most have assumed) then perhaps the following Bible verse is relevant:
  "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7)"
  I read that as you can give on the basis of your own conscience, but not as an excuse to dodge giving. If you're getting something out of your church and are in a position to support it then giving something would seem the moral thing to do.
• Faith: "Love God, and do what you will."
  Charity: Well, I had to recently cancel my DD with the British Red Cross, as I became much more hard up. I intend to set it up again when things improve. That's just me though. I think the donating time and whatnot is a good idea if charity means that much to you. But if it's for a company like British Red Cross, i.e. not the local church, and you can't easily donate time; maybe a sponsored something? Or just donate your bric a brac/set up a stall at a local market and donate the proceeds. There's tons of ways to donate really... Once you think about it. But I really feel this is a more personal money dilema than usual, because chairty means different things to different people, and once you know how much it means to you, you'll probably easily find ways to do the right thing. Whether the right thing is working off what you would be paying with time, or having good intentions, like myself, to setting up the DD again later. Good luck, and I hope you're not feeling guilty or anything. If you are, refer to my first quote. ;-)
• Yes. You need to make sure that your own finances are in order before supporting others. Once you've worked out a budget you might still be able to contribute a smaller amount, but you shouldnt feel obliged to do so.