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Christianity Today, May, 2009 |

WHERE WE STAND

More Giving, Less Taxing

President Obama's tax plan will hurt the very people he's trying to help.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 5/14/2009 08:54AM

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assets under charitable control increased by 210 percent.

The IRS's findings mean that the charitable, tax-exempt sector is just about the brightest spot in the $14 trillion American economy. Americans love to give. In 2007, giving increased by 4.5 percent, nearly twice the growth rate of the national economy.

Part of Obama's tax plan, unfortunately, seems to forget what charities do: provide services to the homeless, the drug-dependent, the jobless, and the frail elderly. We should encourage lawmakers to maintain a tax policy that motivates all donors to give and charities to grow their programs and strengthen their community relationships. Here are three ways the U.S. government can accomplish this:

Make it easier for taxpayers, in all income brackets, to itemize charitable donations by amending federal tax forms (60 percent of taxpayers currently do not itemize their donations).
Require large IRS-registered charities to publicly release more detailed financial information, such as their annual audits.
Set stronger national standards through IRS regulation to ensure that charities' boards are independent and publicly accountable.

Each of these steps provides giving incentives for donors, strengthens donor trust, and positions charitable organizations as valued resources for all Americans.

Related Elsewhere:

Christianity Today has more editorials on our site.

More articles on giving include:

Church Giving Outlook: You've Got Some Time | Research shows that members' contributions stay steady through first years of recession. (October 16, 2008)

The Not-for-Profit Surge | Even in tough times, your favorite charities are doing better than anyone expected. (May 1, 2009)

Scrooge Lives! | Why we're not putting more in the offering plate. And what we can do about it. (December 5, 2008)

CT has a special section on Barack Obama and follows political developments on the politics blog.

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May 2009, Vol. 53, No. 5

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Mark	Posted: May 21, 2009 10:55 AM

Are you people ever going to realize(admit) we have, and apparently still are, in bed with the wealthy corporate interest in this country. We've been duped and you seem not to even notice, care or even understand. If you don't have the courage to read what the OT Prophets or Jesus had to say about money, the poor or society in general then at least read a book. I suggest "What's the matter with Kansas" for a start.....shame on us!

cjohn

Posted: May 16, 2009 4:29 PM

I agree with you here. I voted for the president, but I think this would be bad move on so many counts and I am glad to see that the NAE and other groups are notifying the president. We definitely do not want to discourage charitable giving. Not only that, but this seems to be another indication that the president needs to be more forthcoming about how difficult it is going to be to fund universal health care.

Mark Brander

Posted: May 16, 2009 3:44 PM

Prophecy Alert! The Judgment Of America! This Bulletin Contains Very Recent Prophecies Regarding God’s Pending Judgments Upon America And The Revelation Of The Antichrist! Contrary to what some would have us believe, God has not changed His ways. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is still speaking through His prophets. The messages and warnings from God’s true prophets are usually stern and no-nonsense, they warn of His judgments and call us to repent of sin. They can be very sobering and overwhelming at times. Linda Newkirk is not the only prophet who has been issuing judgment and tribulation warnings for America. A few of David Terrell’s powerful end-time prophecies have been recently posted at prophetdavidterrell.blogspot.com. and also on youtube. David terrell’s work in India has converted millions to Christianity. Also see the ‘prophecy’ link at the Steve Quayle website. Steve has posted some very serious warnings for America that have been given to

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