Why does the Church track our contributions?

[pumpkinbeast]

It would be very difficult to contribute to the church in some ways without letting at least some people know that you’re helping out. I.e., serving at a church supper. Should you wear a mask to make sure nobody knows that you’re helping out? Or what about running after a stranger to return something they dropped? Plenty of people are going to see that. Going out of your way to let people know that you’re giving of your time or money is the sin. If someone else happens to find out what you did, or needs to know what you did for legitimate reasons (aka taxes), I wouldn’t see that as boasting about it. If you then used your tax records to show off how much you give, that would be wrong. And if you’re doing it only for the tax benefits, God will know.

 

[Brendan]

When you make contributions for a tax deduction, the left hand certainly knows what the right hand is doing, and so does your church, your local, state and federal govt.

If that is the purpose of making the contribution, then you are correct.

But if one can make a larger contribution for the operations of the Church, and have it remain between the Church, yourself and the IRS, then fine. It keep what is God’s in God’s hands and out of Ceasears.

The idea here is to keep the donation as quite as feasable. If you make a large donation and then trumped the information all across your parish, then yes, the temporal reward is all they get.

 

[puzzleannie]

I was wondering. Our priest told us that when we give to the church and mention what we give that our only reward is the pride in telling someone. But then why does the Church assign ID numbers to us at our parishes and track our offerings? Someone must be interested.

because IRS law requires parishes and all other charitable or religious entities to give receipts for donations, and the efficient way to track weekly or periodice donations to compy with the law is through the envelope/number system. In fact, if everyone used the envelope and it was possible to enter the info in the computer that way, even the secretary would not know who gives what, but since at least half the people don’t use envelopes, they have to read the name on the check.

 

[KathleenElsie]

TAX LAWS:shrug:

 

[maregough]

It is also a way for the parish to count the number of parishoners. The parish is assessed by the diocese for some collections according to the numbers. The parish also needs numbers to get approval from the diocese for certain things. For instance did you know the number of priests alloted to a parish is determined by the number of parishoners. The envelope system is just a way for the church to do their business.

Blessed Easter to All

 

[Margaret33]

Jeez,

I don’t contribute to the Church to get the tax deduction. I do it to support my parish and diocese, and to support the work of the Catholic church in the world. I donate to the Archdiocese of the Military to help them provide spiritual comfort to our troops. I donate to Catholic Social Services to help the poor and unfortunate in my community.

The United States, through its respect for freedom of religion, decided to allow us to remove that money from our taxable income. The government is supporting and encouraging our right to support our churches with the only resources we have to give.

Not only do I think your priest is wrong, I think he is being incredibly disrespectful of people’s motives. If I were only doing it for the deduction, I could give my money to radical freaks like Earth First and Planned Parenthood, and get the same deduction.

Well said, thank you dj

 

[Beyrak]

Well said, thank you dj

I couldn’t disagree more. He/she is talking out of both sides of the mouth.

Not only do I think your priest is wrong, I think he is being incredibly disrespectful of people’s motives.

I bet you do. You say on one hand that you don’t donate for the tax deduction, but you nearly quoted the entire Constitution in support of your right to make tax deduction donations. And that is all great and good and yes you have every right to do so. BUT a lot of good citizens and patriots will probably end up in hell. So what’s the point?

My priest, and anyone’s priest that went to any seminary worth it’s salt, will tell you if you make donations to the church with a reward on earth in mind such as a tax deduction or anything else, that will probably be your only reward. Matthew 6 could not be more clear.

Now on the other hand, if you simply make your donations and tithings quietly, as low key as possible without regard to any tax deduction or anything else, and you happen to get a receipt from your parish at the end of the year for tax purposes, that is an entirely different matter. It’s all in the one’s motives.

Bad mouthing a priest as you did dustyjewel was uncalled for because you were offended about your taxes. He is right on this and the scriptures back him up. But then the US Constitution entitles you to your opinion and the right to share it. But my priest speaks from a higher authority. Unlike a lot of priests in the US, my priest tells it like it is, and not the way most parishioners (or you) want to hear it.

 

[CSN]

It is not logical to say that someone will give just to get a tax deduction, because the deduction is always a percentage of the amount given i.e., you will never recover more than you have given.

It’s like saying I will pay $10 just so that I can receive $4…

In any event, my priest just told me the church encourages giving tax receipts. Another priest told me the same thing.

In the end, if we get tax deductions we are able to give even more. That’s how I see it…

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I couldn’t disagree more. He/she is talking out of both sides of the mouth.

I bet you do. You say on one hand that you don’t donate for the tax deduction, but you nearly quoted the entire Constitution in support of your right to make tax deduction donations. And that is all great and good and yes you have every right to do so. BUT a lot of good citizens and patriots will probably end up in hell. So what’s the point?

My priest, and anyone’s priest that went to any seminary worth it’s salt, will tell you if you make donations to the church with a reward on earth in mind such as a tax deduction or anything else, that will probably be your only reward. Matthew 6 could not be more clear.

Now on the other hand, if you simply make your donations and tithings quietly, as low key as possible without regard to any tax deduction or anything else, and you happen to get a receipt from your parish at the end of the year for tax purposes, that is an entirely different matter. It’s all in the one’s motives.

Bad mouthing a priest as you did dustyjewel was uncalled for because you were offended about your taxes. He is right on this and the scriptures back him up. But then the US Constitution entitles you to your opinion and the right to share it. But my priest speaks from a higher authority. Unlike a lot of priests in the US, my priest tells it like it is, and not the way most parishioners (or you) want to hear it.

I think you need to go back and read the post in here, you’ve missed something. The priest in the OP post never mentioned taxes. It was the OP’s question.

Also no one in here is stating that they make donations for the mere sake of the tax deduction, nor is anyone boasting about what they give, which Jesus spoke about in the verse posted earlier.

Jim

 

[Catherine_Grant]

Thank you to all who charitably participated.

This thread is now closed.