Why doesn't America's rich donate more to charity

bèlla

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Naysayers can be helpful at times. One would not go very far if they chose to only listen to and except the words of those who praise them alone.

"Faithful are the wounds of friends, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

I have never used that term to describe a friend and I doubt I’m alone in that. Friends and naysayers aren’t one in the same.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
 
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Thanks for showing another example of one looking for negativity and finding it......even when it is unseen by most. You can continue to give us more examples after reading this reply, if you like, or you can look for good instead and try to have a positive discussion.

Except I'm not looking for negativity. You are the one supplying the negativity. For example, you claimed that I desired that you adopt the clear interpretation of the passage I referenced when in fact I never said any such thing.

It is my experience that one who desires no praise, does not look down on the praise others are given or that others desire. Praise is, to them, like an undesirable meal which they are happy to see another would like and enjoy...so that it does not go wasted on themselves. To reiterate, if one does not want something, they usually find no fault in another who does.
The idea that "I do not want it so everyone else is wrong if they do," is not the thought of one who is humble.

And I have never said that those who want to put their name on buildwho is lying ings or other things are wrong. It goes against my understanding of scripture, but that is their choice. I never said they were wrong. Never.

It is not important to me at all.....which is why I find no fault if you would to announce what you give or have your name placed on a building. If it were important to me, I would denounce everyone who placed their names on things.....especially if I had no ability to do it myself.

Now your turn, if you like. Why is it that you care whether or not someone puts their name on a building....especially when people are being helped and served therein?

You are making stuff up because I never said that I cared whether someone put their name on a building. I said that I wouldn't because it goes against my understand of scripture. To me, Matthew is very clear: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." If you or others choose not to believe that then that is your business.
 
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RaymondG

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I have never used that term to describe a friend and I doubt I’m alone in that. Friends and naysayers aren’t one in the same.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
There are very few paths that you can traverse and be alone......So not being alone is not descriptive of the best path to follow.

Many would not consider friends as those that would wound them....Yet the bible states that this is the case. I choose to follow the idea in scripture whether or not i am alone in doing so.

Please ignore my comments....I intended encouragement, but it is obvious that it was not received.
 
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RaymondG

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Except I'm not looking for negativity. You are the one supplying the negativity. For example, you claimed that I desired that you adopt the clear interpretation of the passage I referenced when in fact I never said any such thing.
Thanks again for your examples.

And I have never said that those who want to put their name on buildwho is lying ings or other things are wrong. It goes against my understanding of scripture, but that is their choice. I never said they were wrong. Never.

What is their choice exactly? To do something that goes against your understanding of scripture? If it is not wrong to have an interpretation other than yours, why are you writing as if they are going against the bible for doing something other than what you interpret? Isn't saying that there is only one clear interpretation the same and saying that, what you interprete is that only true interpretation?

You are the one who is lying because I never said that I cared whether someone put their name on a building. I said that I wouldn't because it goes against my understand of scripture. To me, Matthew is very clear: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." If you or others choose not to believe that then that is your business.

What is it that we are choosing to believe? Your interpretation or understanding of scripture? The only one clear interpretation that you see in those scriptures?

If you respected others ability to interpret differently from you, you would not say that others are choosing not to believe the word, if they dont see it as you do.
 
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Thanks again for your examples.

So why can't you admit that you are wrong. I never said that my interpretation is the only one.

What is their choice exactly? To do something that goes against your understanding of scripture? If it is not wrong to have an interpretation other than yours, why are you writing as if they are going against the bible for doing something other than what you interpret? Isn't saying that there is only one clear interpretation the same and saying that, what you interprete is that only true interpretation?

You are lying because I never said that my interpretation is "the only true interpretation." Why can't you figure that out.

What is it that we are choosing to believe? Your interpretation or understanding of scripture? The only one clear interpretation that you see in those scriptures?

No, you and others can you believe what you want. I was very clear. "It goes against my understanding of scripture, but that is their choice. I never said they were wrong. Never."

If you want to show me exactly where I said that other views are wrong, please do so. I want to see exactly where I said that other views were wrong.

If you respected others ability to interpret differently from you, you would not say that others are choosing not to believe the word, if they dont see it as you do.

That is an outright lie on your part because I never said that those who don't agree with my interpretation "are choosing not to believe the word."

Still waiting for you to answer my question--why do you want to put your name on buildings?
 
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timothyu

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This shows the little you know about the blessing of God. It is impossible to give away all that God gives you. If you have a desire to give, you will be able to give nonstop. You should give it a try. Drink from the well that never runs dry. Then try giving all the water away....and see if you can succeed.
Why would you assume I said give it all away? Guess making your point allows you to bend others speech.
 
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RaymondG

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Why would you assume I said give it all away? Guess making your point allows you to bend others speech.
When one speaks in holy riddles, it leaves the readers with two options: assume Interpretation and respond to that interpretation.... Or ask a host of, "what do you mean?" or "I dont understand," posts.

For me, I would rather one interpret a meaning they deem clear, rather than to waste time and posts, replying with im confused, or this doesn't make sense etc.. It , to me, lends to a more edifying and efficient conversation. And I always try to do unto others as I would have done unto me...

Didnt realize that so many would consider a misinterpretation of vague writings has lying or bending speech.... Maybe I should just ignore, give a confused emoji or waste a post asking to explain before even trying to address what I believed was said.

Here is what you wrote:

If God gives someone abundant blessings, the test may be whether they give away what was never theirs to begin with.

Forgive me for believing that everything I have belongs to God and assuming that you felt the same. I ask now, that you explain what percentage of my blessings am i to assume is mine, which I can keep, and what percent was never mine and I can be tested on? I guess I would also need to know whether you are speaking about material blessings or any other kind as well.

Or maybe we can just chalk this all up to a failed conversation and throw it in the sea of forgetfulness, where it probably belongs.
 
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RaymondG

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No where in my 'riddle' did I use the word all. It's that simple. Moving on is fine by me. I've got leaves to mulch.
You left the readers to assume what was "never theirs." that could be given away. One could assume you meant 100% or anywhere in between 0 and 100% of the blessings you spoke of. You could have said specifically what you were saying was never theirs, but you choose to leave it out. And when one assumes the wrong percentage, you say they are bending your words.

If you are going to play the guessing games, at least be able to accept the fact that some may guess wrong. Moving on....
 
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Redwingfan9

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Why Don't America's Rich Give More to Charity?

Why Don't America's Rich Give More to Charity?
They could certainly afford to donate bigger sums, but something seems to be holding them back.
The wealthy in this country tend not to be Christians and therefore they do not feel compelled to donate 10% to their church. On the other hand a disproportionate amount of people earning less than 100k are Christians and active in churches. These people are more likely to donate, even if not 10%.

These statistics are going to be more difficult to compile in the future because Trump's tax reform makes it unnecessary to report charitable giving unless it's over $25k (or whatever the standard deduction is now). In other words, in the future the IRS may publish charitable giving statistics for the wealthy but not for the poors (likely those making less than $250-500k). Researchers will have to rely on polling, which is fraught with misinformation. People like to say they donate more than they do, IRS statistics are more likely to be in the ballpark of accurate.

Having said all of that, Americans tend to donate more to charity than their Euro and Asian counterparts. That the very wealthy may seemingly donate less of their income as a percentage, these statistics may not demonstrate the extent of their giving. For example, if a billionaire donates millions to start a foundation bearing his name that donation may only show as a one year gift even though it's substantial. A lot of billionaires have estate plans that include extensive charitable donations but those donations won't be seen until their death.

The Atlantic piece is too simplistic in its reporting of these complicated matters.
 
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Jaxxi

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Why Don't America's Rich Give More to Charity?

Why Don't America's Rich Give More to Charity?
They could certainly afford to donate bigger sums, but something seems to be holding them back.
Greed. Also when I was struggling personally, I didn't go to any charites for help- I don't know of any that actually help people. Awhile back I worked for a Womens Breast Cancer charity and we called people for donations, and they were a " non- profit" however only 10% of each donation went to breast cancer! A lady called who had recently lost her daughter to breast cancer, and she had come up with a $500 donation for the cause and I informed her that only $50 was actually going to the cause and she got upset and wanted to talk to the supervisor and I got fired!
 
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bèlla

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Greed. Also when I was struggling personally, I didn't go to any charites for help- I don't know of any that actually help people. Awhile back I worked for a Womens Breast Cancer charity and we called people for donations, and they were a " non- profit" however only 10% of each donation went to breast cancer! A lady called who had recently lost her daughter to breast cancer, and she had come up with a $500 donation for the cause and I informed her that only $50 was actually going to the cause and she got upset and wanted to talk to the supervisor and I got fired!

There's a lot of waste. I used to help an older woman with her mail and the garbage she received was shameful. Blankets, coins, towels, dollar bills, etc. All from well known Christian groups. Many charities spend 1/3 of their budget on marketing.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
 
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Jaxxi

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There's a lot of waste. I used to help an older woman with her mail and the garbage she received was shameful. Blankets, coins, towels, dollar bills, etc. All from well known Christian groups. Many charities spend 1/3 of their budget on marketing.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
The place I was working at was a non-profit with about 40 employees all being paid $10 per hour with 2 full time shifts so 20 worked 8 hours during the day and the night shift had the same. The office had lots of vending and a pool table and video game consoles with games for the employees and it was well furnished in a big office.​
 
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RaymondG

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The place I was working at was a non-profit with about 40 employees all being paid $10 per hour with 2 full time shifts so 20 worked 8 hours during the day and the night shift had the same. The office had lots of vending and a pool table and video game consoles with games for the employees and it was well furnished in a big office.​
Why did you not work for free and convince others to do the same so that more money could go to the cause?
 
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RaymondG

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What is she supposed to live on? Do you work for free?

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
I volunteer some places and work at others. But i do not fault that place I work for, for not using all the funds they receive for the cause they receive them for. Of course, if I'm getting paid with donations, all the donations can't go to the main cause of the company.....some of it has to be used to pay me.

Seems counterintuitive to complain that donations aren't going fully to the cause if I demand to be paid to help obtain the donations.
 
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bèlla

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I volunteer some places and work at others. But i do not fault that place I work for, for not using all the funds they receive for the cause they receive them for. Of course, if I'm getting paid with donations, all the donations can't go to the main cause of the company.....some of it has to be used to pay me.

Seems counterintuitive to complain that donations aren't going fully to the cause if I demand to be paid to help obtain the donations.

Or you could have asked what she meant. She provided an example. You could have asked her to expound.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
 
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RaymondG

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Or you could have asked what she meant. She provided an example. You could have asked her to expound.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
She did expound, she complained about having a nice big office to work in with vending machines and entertainment to make work more comfortable and inviting. She said the job provided full time shifts for many workers to help them support their families.....then proceeded to complain about the way inwhich they got paid and their workplace was furnished.

It seems obvious that she desired, instead, less adequate work environments and no pay in favor of more money going to the cause.

This is admirable.

What isn't admirable is the desire to be paid and have the best work environment possible, but complain about the way the salary is provided and work place furnished.....even less admirable is the attempt to hinder new donations while still trying to collect salaries from previous donations....
 
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bèlla

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It seems obvious that she desired, instead, less adequate work environments and no pay in favor of more money going to the cause.

This is admirable.

Did she say that or are you inferring it? Where does she make that statement?

Yours in His Service,

~Bella
 
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