Dear Crystal:

Many denominations use the biblical mandate of tithing (which technically means giving 10% of one's income to the Church. Some denominations may insist upon 10%, for others the 10% is a goal. Most denomination do not insist on the 10% to the point that a person or family will be deprived of food and essential services if they gave 10%.

The Catholic Church also encourages a 10% tithe, but leaves the issue of amount to donate up the conscience of the person. In the United States the standard suggestion is that whatever amount one donates, 50% of that amount go to your parish, and the other 50% can go to charitable organizations of your choice.

It is not moral to ask people to donate to the point that the contributor becomes destitute or unable to pay for food, rent, and essential services and needs. Usually this problem is with televangelist. Denominational churches usually do not do this, other than teaching the 10% tithe, which is biblical. Most denominations do not track whether or not a parishioner is actually giving 10%.

All donations must be deposited in the organization's bank account and fully accounted for in the bookkeeping. If any minister, pastor, or employee keeps for himself donations without giving over those donations to the Treasurer, of similar officer, for deposit in the organization's bank account, and fully recorded in the bookkeeping is stealing that money, which is a crime..

Any remunerations a minister, pastor, employee receives, such as salary, wages, and approved expenses must come from the organization's bank account (which means that the donations must first be deposited in the organization's bank account).

As for prayer cloths or so-called "miracle oil" given to people who donate is a common practice among non-profit organizations. Such gifts are called "incentives." Your local public radio or public television does this. Other non-profits do this as well, including some Catholic organizations.

The issue with incentives is not the practice itself, but the nature of the gift and how it is presented. Many televangelists hawk these items in a manipulative way as something that will change one's life. Thus, the gifts are not the normal incentives like, let say, if you donate and you will receive a rosary or a book, but it plays on the person's vulnerabilities, such as sickness as in, donate and receive this miracle oil that will heal you. Few organizations do this type of manipulative "incentive" to donate. This unethical practice is usually seen with some televangelists, and other radio or TV ministries such as with some charismatic groups or positive confession (name it and claim it) groups.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary