Church responses to charitable giving
BeliefNet gives this summary of Christian Church responses to charitable giving:
Religion (denomination) | Obligation | Spiritual Component | Source |
Catholic | Most Catholic churches suggest that parishioners contribute 10% of their income to charity, with 5% going to the local church and 5% going to the parishioner's charity of choice. | The concept of sacrificial giving is very important in Catholicism, both to help those less fortunate and to show gratitude for God's gifts. | Catholics follow the Bible's words about tithing and giving. "Active love for the poor" is also emphasized in the catechism's treatment of the commandment "You shall not steal." |
Eastern Orthodox | The Orthodox Church emphasizes voluntary stewardship instead of a specific tithe amount. | The church sees stewardship as a way for members of the church to participate fully in the church. | The Orthodox concept of stewardship comes from both the Old and New Testaments. |
Protestant | Many Protestant churches follow the biblical exhortation to give 10% of one's income back to God. The tithe goes to wherever a person receives his or her spiritual teaching. | Many Protestant churches emphasize stewardship as the path to receiving God's blessings and both spiritual and material abundance. | Malachi 3:8-10 and many other Bible verses. |