Donations?

Well... what if there was some sort of nice blub along side it. in the vein of

"TOTJO is a not for profit that relies on the enthusiasm and hard work of its volunteers to give all eagar minds the opportunity to learn and share within the Jedi community.

It does however cost us a nominal amount to host the site and any contributions are welcome."

And maybe "Donate" is a bit blah. Could the button say something cute like "Support The Temple" or "Gimme ya Money!" although I imagine that one might give Jestor a nervous twitch...

Connor Lidell wrote: In the Christian church, we tithe 10% of our yearly salary to the church. This is what Jesus said to do, and we do it because it helps keep the sanctuary of God running.

That's a huge generalisation...certainly in the UK it would be extremely rare for people to do that...

Connor Lidell wrote: There is something else that my church does. We collect offerings for charities and missions throughout the world. And, the church pastors decide each week what to college.

Have you ever considered endorsing certain humanitarian causes as a church? I understand that you might say: "Yes, each individual person can support as they wish..." But, sacrificing costs as a church is something that could be used as bonding experiences throughout the community. Just a thought.

I know what you mean, and I think that the idea has some merit. But, who gets to decide on a charity/cause? How do we determine what causes are more worthy than others? This is why it's often easier to let people make those choices individually...they choose what is important to them, and in that way the net is cast much wider...

hahah. You're right. I should have posted: "we SHOULD tithe 10%". Here in the US, it's worse I can assure you. I have no salary, so I have no money to give! I wouldn't know.

Of course it is, I understand that. In the United Methodist church, we fund our own "endeavors" across the globe. Like, we have sub-companies that build homes in Uganda for example. Our charities are geared to fund humanitarian efforts by our sub-companies.

I wouldn't know how it's done. I could imagine that maybe the church get together to DO some kind of humanitarian project itself. I'll think on it and get back to you.

Guys.

It hasn't happened in quite a long time that a member of the council has had to pay for the hosting because totjo doesn't have the money. We're fine and do not need to make sparkly buttons.

HOWEVER. Most of the money we are getting comes from a few large donations. I only speak for myself here, but I feel it would be best if more people made small regular donations. there is 30 of us logged in right now, if a third of those made a 5 USD donation a month we'd be fine....

Connor Lidell wrote: In the Christian church, we tithe 10% of our yearly salary to the church. This is what Jesus said to do, and we do it because it helps keep the sanctuary of God running.

Simply a scholarly question, not theological, but where did Jesus say that? I can't place it.

I do recall when Jesus asked the rich young man to give up his money, but it wasn't 10%...it was ALL of it.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A15-22&version=NIV

Give to God what is God's. This is generally accepted to be referring to tithes. As he also says: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11%3A42&version=ESV
that tithing is something you should do in ADDITION to the other stuff listed.

I don't think we 'should' give 10% to TotJO... and as I said before having this to me seems like a 'membership fee'... Why does a church need 10% of everyone's income to sustain itself?!

It has always been TotJO's view that if you want to give to TotJO so TotJO can do charity work then you are better of giving the money to a particular charity...

If there is a child poverty charity, why give to TotJO to eliminate child poverty? Give to the child poverty charity... if you want to give to TotJO just to give to TotJO then give away and be glad!

No need to reinvent the wheel...

Matthew 22:19-21 wrote: 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

That I would not say was tithing as it does not say what is being given. There is no money with God's face on it. We are his face (in Christian view) wouldn't it make sense to 'tithe' 10% of ourselves to the church and humanity?

That tithing is worth more than money...

There's no reinventing the wheel, it's about community which was my point.

Also, the biblical quotation has been interpreted that way. I interpret it to mean: "Yes, you should tithe, but this is no excuse for God's love." as in, giving money does not amount to attaining salvation and fulfilling the christian requirement. What it's NOT saying is: "Don't NOT tithe just because you don't feel like it."

V-Tog wrote: But, who gets to decide on a charity/cause? How do we determine what causes are more worthy than others? This is why it's often easier to let people make those choices individually...

So marry the two ideas? Have a big TOTJO "charity drive" where people donate to the charity of their choice, but still feel like a group while doing it. Would that work?

Connor Lidell wrote: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mat...5-22&version=NIV

Give to God what is God's. This is generally accepted to be referring to tithes. As he also says: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luk...3A42&version=ESV
that tithing is something you should do in ADDITION to the other stuff listed.

I will disagree with those Scriptures as they're used in this context, but that will be either in private or in another thread so as not to derail this one.

*sigh* PM sent.

And, to answer your point to V, I think that's a great idea too! The Project for Awesome by Nerdfighteria has a similar concept, but they are merely advertising the charity of their choice. I'm in favor of something like this! *sends PM to V*