Tax Deductions Through Charity

TAX DEDUCTIONS THROUGH CHARITY
What is tithe? Tithe is the process whereby you give one-tenth of your personal income to a church or similar institution.
According to one source, tithing first became popular in the 7th century when everyone was required to pay a tithe to help support the religious, assist in the building of churches, and helping the poor.
While in some parts of the world tithing is mandatory, today it is generally encouraged and as it relates to charities, it is tax deductible.
So the question before you is: Do you tithe? Do you offer a contribution to a church, ministry, or any number of charitable organizations?
While the original mandate of offering 10% of your income is no longer in place, most individuals give as much as 1% of their income today.
If you research tithing online, you will find that several websites offer many reasons why tithing should be dutifully maintained.
On parentalguide.com, their explanation of tithing seems a bit extreme: "Every person is to give 10% of their total income to God. This is called a tithe. Tithing is a command from God. In addition, as the Lord provides, a person should give extra (an offering) and also should give to the poor (alms). Giving an excuse, such as, "I don't have enough," is not acceptable to God. Obey the Gospel."
The more you research tithing, the more you come to realize its many ambiguities. For some, it is the law of the Church; for others, it is unscriptural.
Giving whatever you can to any charitable institution has its rewards. Whether you contribute one dollar or one hundred dollars, tithing affords you the opportunity to help someone in need. While there are a plethora of charitable organizations for which your donation would be much appreciated, tithing is a personal choice.
If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may contribute to the American Cancer Society; if you have a child with cancer you may wish to contribute to St. Jude's Hospital; if you lost a loved one on 9/11, you may contribute to that foundation. Or, if you attend church, you may want to make a contribution there.
The bottom line is not how much you give, but that you give