Re: What is our opinion of the wealthy among us?
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:27 pm
Indeed, perhaps the super wealthy who long to give in secret can simply stuff $100s into the collection box when no one is looking.
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I'm curious what the 'shaky ground' is. I render unto Caesar what Caesar requires and if Caesar allows me to have something back, I'm glad to take it. I don't practise this as some do but I know some who take their tax break from charitable donations and give it back as additional offerings. This can be looked at as good stewardship of our monies.Soloist wrote:The first time I got a statement from the moderator at one church was the last time I ever contributed money known.
I normally give money secretly and this time they needed help so I gave it directly to someone and I guess he told the moderator and thus I got the statement...
I personally believe its a danger to have a tax exempt status and believe that anyone giving and claiming the exemptions is on shaky ground.
This is the problem we run into as we go away from cash.
I agree with Lester.lesterb wrote:Interesting. I've never known of a church that used the system you are talking about here. I think I may have heard about it, but I've never seen it be an issue. I suppose a few people in our church just give cash, but then they don't get a receipt. We don't use envelopes at all, and most people use checks to give. (Actually, we use cheques, not checks.) Our receipts do not itemize individual amounts, but the treasurer's books do, in case of an audit. I've been a church auditor a few times, but I don't recall any particular amounts being given by a particular person. Unless a person is really riding a hobby horse, I doubt that most treasurers or auditors really remember things like that.ken_sylvania wrote: The only system I am familiar with is the anonymous envelope numbering system, and I've never known of names being (formally) associated with the numbers. Definitely possible that the deacon has an idea who the larger givers are, though.
If you are really that concerned that no one knows what you give, then you shouldn't use your offerings as a tax write-off anyway.
I suppose government is more responsible in the US than in Canada. Either that or Canadian churches more responsible than US.appleman2006 wrote: As to not taking advantage of a tax refund for you charitable giving. I guess that is up to you. You obviously believe the government will make better use of that money than your church or other charitable organization which I find kind of sad because I do not believe that is even close to true. If it is in your situation I would suggest changing churches.
I wish I could say the same. I'm a church treasurer, and have to record each gift, by name of giver if not anonymous. When a certain person gave a series of teachings on the importance of giving to one's own church, with at least a tithe suggested, I noticed his family continued to contribute nothing most months. It didn't help my feelings toward this person.appleman2006 wrote:I've been a church auditor a few times, but I don't recall any particular amounts being given by a particular person.
Then there are the expenditures that aren't recorded. I know of a family who very quietly supported an ailing and unemployed relative. They bought him a car, paid his utilities, food bill, car insurance and fuel- no one knew anything about this until the recipient of their generosity let the cat out of the bag one day.Hats Off wrote:As a bookkeeper and tax preparer, I know what you are talking about. We know things others don't and can't really talk about them. I am amazed at the generosity of some people since I have never been in a position to give like some can. I have never been in the position where I see the complete picture in our own church but still have a pretty good idea.
Have you ever talked to this brother on confidence. There may some very good reasons why he might not be able to give in the way he might like to presently. Be aware though that some of those reasons may be very private and so he may come across as very defensive. You will probably only get good answers if he knows you really really do care about him and where he is at right now. And that you really want to help him get to a better place.JimFoxvog wrote:I wish I could say the same. I'm a church treasurer, and have to record each gift, by name of giver if not anonymous. When a certain person gave a series of teachings on the importance of giving to one's own church, with at least a tithe suggested, I noticed his family continued to contribute nothing most months. It didn't help my feelings toward this person.appleman2006 wrote:I've been a church auditor a few times, but I don't recall any particular amounts being given by a particular person.