Matthew 6:1-4 and Church Envelopes?

[arwilger]

Is using the church envelopes for church donations/tithes going against Matthew Chapter 6:1-4 on almsgiving? As well as reporting monetary donations for tax deduction purposes? Thank you.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

“[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

I don’t think using parish donation envelopes are the equivalent of blowing a trumpet before you or will be noticed by anyone other than a a small handful of parish employees who process so many envelopes each week that they don’t really pay attention to each donor. Unless you personally go telling other people what you give, no one else is going to tell or know.

Parish envelopes serve several purposes: they help prevent or raise notice of theft; they are useful for tax reporting; and help parishes know who their active parishioners are. None of these things appear to be in violation of Matthew 6.

Of course, you are free to pay more taxes to the government than it requires if you so choose, however, Christians do not have an obligation to pay more than required. Once again, there is no real gain here other than straightening out what is required to pay in taxes which is not a violation of the above passage.