is writing off offerings and charities a sin?

[serendipity79]

I was just curious, I haven't seen anything that really relates to this in my bible studies. But would it be sinful to write off your offerings and charitable donations, because essentially if you do it is almost like you didn't give it?

 

[G4m]

I was just curious, I haven't seen anything that really relates to this in my bible studies. But would it be sinful to write off your offerings and charitable donations, because essentially if you do it is almost like you didn't give it?

Do you mean in relation to tax?

I'm not sure how taxation works in America, but down here, you are basically refunded whatever donations at the end of the financial year. So what if you were to also donate this refunded (or written off?) amount again?

 

[FranklinNoble]

I was just curious, I haven't seen anything that really relates to this in my bible studies. But would it be sinful to write off your offerings and charitable donations, because essentially if you do it is almost like you didn't give it?

No, I don't think so. The Bible says we should pay our taxes according to the law. Since the law says we can write off charitable donations, I see no problem with it.

 

[sandman]

I was just curious, I haven't seen anything that really relates to this in my bible studies. But would it be sinful to write off your offerings and charitable donations, because essentially if you do it is almost like you didn't give it?

These two {giving and taking deductions}really are not related ……………..not if giving truly comes from the heart.

See it’s the giving aspect that is important, the showing in the financial aspect that God is your sufficiency, not money.

I think that II Corinthians 9 lays it out best:

6: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:



We own nothing, everything we have is Gods, we are to be stewards of all we have including our finances. It is both honest and legal to take the deduction for what we give. In fact it would not be good stewardship of the abundance that God has blessed us with, if we did not take the deduction.

Bless

sandman

 

[StevenL]

Matthew 6
3But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.[1]

Should we hide our left hand behind our back while our right hand writes the deduction on the tax return? I've often thought about this question...it's a good one!

 

[Macca]

Do you mean in relation to tax?

I'm not sure how taxation works in America, but down here, you are basically refunded whatever donations at the end of the financial year. So what if you were to also donate this refunded (or written off?) amount again?

It's not quite that simple, but something like that.
The part of your giving to a church that is used for worship purposes is deductible. (if you can separate that from the rest.
Macca.

 

[G4m]

It's not quite that simple, but something like that.
The part of your giving to a church that is used for worship purposes is deductible. (if you can separate that from the rest.
Macca.

But any charities that you donate to are tax deductible, over $2.

Are you saying what you give to your church is not all deductible?

 

[Remnant]

You are to give freely, with no expectation of return.

 

[Macca]

But any charities that you donate to are tax deductible, over $2.

Are you saying what you give to your church is not all deductible?

I think you will find that that is correct in Australia.
Only the part that is used for worship, not the part to pay your pastor or the electricity bill, etc.
Macca.