[alisasny]

I don't agree either. I feel you should give according to your means. I never liked this idea of tithing. My church wants 5 % of gross for the church and 5% for other like minded charities. This does not include all the extras like the Bishops appeal building funds and every other fund imaginable like the extra donations for flowers, christmas, novena's etc, religious instructions for the kids and on and on and on. Frankly when all is said and done at the end of the month I am lucky if I have 2 percent in my bank account of what the church wants via tithing.

[Bikers4Bush]

I'm in the same boat. If I gave them what they wanted I wouldn't be eating.

[VaBthang4]

"I feel...

You probably would've caught yourself right there had you any idea what type of principles we are talking about.

Lose the "feeling" and obey God.

[nmh]

Ideally the "church" would like it all. ;)

The sensible approach is to give what you can afford. I finally got so turned off by the "church" always having it's hand out that I asked them NOT to call me anymore for "pledges". I informed them it is a private matter between God and I and some weeks I would NOT be able to live up to a "pledge".

I understand why they want a "pledge" - for planning purposes but I don't want to be locked in to a number. When emergencies happen I don't see the church helping me out financially so I have to do so.