Charitable Giving, Food For Thought!

I gave a lesson on tithing Sunday and broadened the topic to giving. I found some very interesting information that I thought I would share.

The average person in the US gives away three and a half times as much money as the average French citizen, seven times as much as the average German, and 14 times as much as the average Italian.

The most charitable state is Utah, where people give approximately twice as much as the second leading state.

When people get richer, they tend to give more money away. When people give more money away, they tend to prosper.

People who volunteer do better financially. Is income driving up donations or are donations driving up income? The answer is both. When our country gets richer, people give more away. And as we give more away, that translates into economic growth for our country.

People who give to charity are 43 percent more likely than people who don't give to say they're very happy people. People who give blood are twice as likely to say they're very happy people as people who don't. People who volunteer are happier. You simply can't find any kind of service that won't make you happier. Givers are healthier, happier, and richer in this country.

Many churches are opposed to the concept of tithing saying it was abolished with the Law of Moses. On the average, Christians are giving about 2.5 percent of their income to churches, not ten. Weekly collection didn't even exist until the middle of the 19th century, when churches gave up selling or renting pews.

One spokesman said tithing remindes him of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant movement, who broke away from the Catholic church because it was selling indulgences: Promises of a quicker road to heaven in exchange for cash. Striped down to its basics, he says, "I don't think tithing is different than indulgences. What we see today, though, is a return to 'this-for-that religion,' give God this and God will give you that".

I thought it was interesting to find some churches have installed "Giving Kiosks" in the church where attendees can swipe their card and donate. Some call them God's ATMs.

Windsor Castle - England

Just before Thanksgiving, I was asked to go to England to present the results of a study we conducted. I had never been so it was a great opportunity to see some of the history while I was there. I spent a day at Windsor Castle where the Monarch of England has lived for the last 1,000 years. It is very impressive as you will see from the few pictures here. It is hard to believe that one family can amass such a fortune. Of course, it helps when you can live on the taxes of the people.

It is hard to believe someone could build someting so magnificant with only hand tools. I have many stories and pictures someday when you have the time.

It was a beautiful afternoon, but we didn't catch a thing

Some may say I have gotten carried away. Well, that happened a long time ago. I have been seeding and caring for several hundred Japanese maple trees for the past year and as you can see I have lots of them still growing in the garden. They had a farmer's market at work last month and I was surprised to sell just over 60 trees at $10 each. Of cours, at that price, I figure we have probably made about ten cents an hour for our time. However, I have had a good time learning all the way and this year it should go a lot easier. Yes, I am already collecting seeds again.

Please note Stefanie and Will's announcement from the family dinner yesterday.

We had a great visit with Nelson and Stefanie Barksdale today. Their youngest of 10 (Jared) is leaving for a mission and we attended his farewell. What a great family! Nelson has 20 grandchildren.

Nathan earned the highest honor you can receive in Cub Scouts last night. He was awarded the Arrow of Light. It was a very special ceremony. Aprilyn and Brian also did a great job conducting the pack meeting. Everyone had a great time after the award ceremony playing games. Congratulations Nathan! I am a proud grandpa!