Mt. 6:3 in practice - deduct charitable contributions

WarriorSheep · #1 Apr 16, '12, 1:55 pm

From Matthew 6:3-4

Quote:

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.

One way I have thought of to put this into practice is to not record the amount of money I give to charity. But, seeing as it is tax season, I realized that if I do that, I would not be able to deduct anything and end up paying more in taxes. This means that I have less money, and thus can't give as much away to charities. It seems like a bit of a catch22.

I think this command is largely about avoiding self-righteousness, which can certainly be done even if you record your charitable contributions (or other good works), but surely it's easier if you don't. What do you think about this? Can you think of any other good ways to actively put this command into practice?

Trader · #2 Apr 16, '12, 2:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorSheep

From Matthew 6:3-4

One way I have thought of to put this into practice is to not record the amount of money I give to charity. But, seeing as it is tax season, I realized that if I do that, I would not be able to deduct anything and end up paying more in taxes. This means that I have less money, and thus can't give as much away to charities. It seems like a bit of a catch22.

I think this command is largely about avoiding self-righteousness, which can certainly be done even if you record your charitable contributions (or other good works), but surely it's easier if you don't. What do you think about this? Can you think of any other good ways to actively put this command into practice?

What you tell the IRS is confidential, so I do not see it as a problem.

Keeping good financial records is also a demonstration of resposibility that will allow you to better manage the resources you have.

If you are also prudent in choosing the the charities you help, I can guarantee the results will be better than what the government will do with your taxes.

WarriorSheep · #3 Apr 16, '12, 3:00 pm

I definitely agree that giving more to the charities I choose is better than giving more to the government. I think that may swing the argument for me.

Tsudeaux Gnymm · #4 Apr 16, '12, 3:23 pm

The admonition in Mattew 6:3 is against advertising your generosity. Reporting to the IRS isn't advertising since nobody in the community will know what is on your return (unless, that is, you get arrested for tax evasion

).

DaveBj · #5 Apr 16, '12, 3:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsudeaux Gnymm

The admonition in Mattew 6:3 is against advertising your generosity. Reporting to the IRS isn't advertising since nobody in the community will know what is on your return (unless, that is, you get arrested for tax evasion

).

Or unless you're running for office.

Julia Mae · #6 Apr 16, '12, 4:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorSheep

I think this command is largely about avoiding self-righteousness, which can certainly be done even if you record your charitable contributions (or other good works), but surely it's easier if you don't. What do you think about this? Can you think of any other good ways to actively put this command into practice?

The government will not admire you for charitable giving, I promise, no benefit will accrue to you but possibly a bigger return. If it's significantly bigger, you can give part to charity!!!

Just don't tell people who know you personally what you give or that you give.

mh2007 · #7 Apr 16, '12, 7:14 pm

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men (Matthew 6:2)

I think the point is not to broadcast the giving. God knows what you do in secret (paraphrasing Matthew 6:4)

WarriorSheep · #8 Apr 16, '12, 11:51 pm

I took 6:1-2 to be about not advertising your generosity, but 3-4 to be more about not thinking highly of yourself for giving. And like I said in the first post, you can certainly not be self-righteous and still be aware of the good things you do. But if you honestly can't remember them very well, or at all, then you don't even have the opportunity to say to yourself "yeah, I'm awesome. I gave $XXX to charity last year!" I'm making this seem extreme here just to make the point clear.

I'm not planning on disclosing my taxes to the public (certainly not running for office), and I'm not really worried about bragging to the IRS about my deductions either. Trying to do that may backfire anyway...