Ethics and Religion Talk: What to do about those who don't give enough?

Ethan P. writes, “While all religious institutions are spiritual and charitable in nature, in order to survive and serve their mission they do need to balance their income and expenses. Which generally means that members must help support the congregation with membership dues. What of members who say they can’t afford more than a nominal level of dues, yet they live in large houses or drive nice cars?”

Father Michael Nasser, who writes from an Eastern Christian perspective and is Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church, responds:

“Orthodox Christian Churches have always seen one’s tithes and offerings as a part of one’s larger spiritual efforts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These are the main themes of Jesus’ ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ As such, there can be no minimum required amount of what one gives to the church, but this must be at the discretion of the member/donor, just as much as their prayer, fasting and other works of mercy are done freely and voluntarily. The Church community models trust in God for its members by freely committing to both corporate charity (what the congregation as a whole gives from church funds) and the temporal maintenance of the church’s property and staff.”

Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds:

“The nature of this question necessarily implies the making of a judgment, with which I am extremely uncomfortable. What individuals are capable of giving is up to them and it is not my place to be speculating on their ability.

“To reflect on this question, please go to the Book of Ecclesiastes, 5:10. The English Standard Version states, those ‘who love money will not be satisfied with money.’ What this scripture verse is teaching us, which is also referenced in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is that those who are focused on ‘things’ will never have enough. Individuals who are focused on their homes, cars, boats, recreational vehicles, etc., and not on a life of faith and membership in a church, will never be satisfied with what they have.

Likewise, the one who is focused on the home, car, etc., of others is also not satisfied with his or her own life. Charitable organizations, churches, have the burden of asking others for support. What people can give is there responsibility and is up to their own consciences.”

Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds:

“There is no such thing as ‘membership dues’ in a Presbyterian or Reformed church. ‘Dues’ are debts or obligations which must be paid as a condition of membership in an association or organization. The Old Testament church had power to levy taxes (tithes) to support its ministries; the New Testament church does not. No Presbyterian can be compelled to give more to his church than he is willing to give. ‘Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver’ (II Corinthians 9:7).

“Those whose lifestyle attests that they have ample means should not plead poverty when it comes to supporting the church and its ministries. ‘Will a man rob God?’ (Malachi 3:8). But such people have their own reward, in terms of the blessings of God they forfeit by their stinginess. ‘He that soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly’ (II Corinthians 9:6). A church member who feels little or no gratitude to God for the gift of His Son to be our Savior must be very grace-deprived​ and short-sighted.”

The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds:

“In the Unitarian Universalist tradition each individual church is financially supported by the members of the congregation. We provide guidelines based on a percentage of income to give people an idea of what would be a fair share contribution. Some contribute that amount, others give more, some give less and some do not contribute at all. It is not for us to pass judgment on any contribution including those who contribute below their means. Honestly we will never know the full financial story based on someone's home size or automobile brand. Personally I would rather focus on the contribution that inspire me, and the people who truly understand what building beloved community is all about.”

Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds:

“Hindu temples in the US, by in large, exist with the hope that those of means will share their treasure with the greater community. It is widely held that what one gives is a personal decision. While it may be frustrating to see a family living a rather ostentatious lifestyle while behaving niggardly towards the temple, we can only offer sympathy for them, as they may never know the joy of full generosity.

“That said, there are many worthy causes that require donations. Perhaps a wealthy family uses our temple services on rare occasions and doesn’t feel the need to share its resources with us; but is inspired to help others in the community through various nonprofit organizations.”

My response:

The Hebrew Bible may have had a system of mandatory tithes, but the contemporary Jewish community does not; or at the least, has no way to enforce them effectively. Theoretically, a person who doesn’t pay his or her fair share can be excluded from the institution. However, I would argue that the marginal loss of potential income by accepting less than such a person can afford, pales in comparison to the hit taken by gaining the reputation of an institution that is concerned first and foremost about money.

This column answers questions of Ethics and Religion by submitting them to a multi-faith panel of spiritual leaders in the Grand Rapids area. We’d love to hear about the ordinary ethical questions that come up on the course of your day as well as any questions of religion that you’ve wondered about. Tell us how you resolved an ethical dilemma and see how members of the Ethics and Religion Talk panel would have handled the same situation. Please send your questions to [email protected].