Steve Lear

A key decision you’ll face when creating a generosity plan is how much to give. Throughout history, people have turned to the tenets of their faith or life philosophy for guidance on this issue. In a two-part article, we’ll examine these tenets and highlight a timeless giving model you can customize to fit your unique needs.

PART ONE Giving Philosophies: A Cross-cultural Framework

Our Philanthropy is Rooted in Faith 

The United States has historically been a nation of diverse religious affiliations.  According to the 2025 Giving USA report, faith-based giving once represented the majority of U.S. philanthropy, accounting for nearly 53% of our giving in 1987. While this percentage has significantly declined over time, religion remains the leading sector in total shares of giving, receiving $146.54 billion out of $592.20 billion, or nearly 25% of all philanthropy in 2024. This percentage only includes giving directly to religious institutions such as churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques. It does not include other faith-inspired giving to causes like human services or education.

The following is a cross-cultural Generosity Framework that examines the giving philosophies of the nation’s primary religions and worldviews.

Judaism

Values:

• Tzedakah (righteous giving) is a core mitzvah (commandment), not merely charity.
• Giving is both a social justice obligation and a spiritual practice.
• Acts of giving are organized hierarchically in the Maimonides’ Ladder of Tzedakah, prioritizing sustainable aid (e.g., job creation).

Tithing Practices:

• Tzedakah (10% of income (standard), 20% (but no more).
• Traditional practices: include pe’ah (leaving the corners of fields for those in need and ma’aser (tithing produce or income).
• Modern application: Give 10-20% of income as Tzedakah; Prioritize local needs, Jewish education, and those in need; integrate generosity into daily life and business.

Recommendations:

• Give thoughtfully and respectfully, prioritizing empowerment over dependence.
• Giving regularly is key.

Christianity

Catholicism

Values:

• Emphasizes charity (caritas) as a theological virtue.
• Generosity is viewed as a response to God’s love, linked with social justice and solidarity with the poor.

Tithing Practices:

• No fixed requirement: giving is encouraged as freewill offerings, typically discussed in terms of time, talent, and treasure.

Recommendations:

• Prioritize intentional and sacrificial giving (giving more than what is comfortable or convenient).
• Support both parish needs and broader humanitarian efforts.

Protestantism

Values:

• Often emphasizes personal stewardship and cheerful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Giving is seen as obedience to God and an act of worship.

Tithing Practices:

• Commonly, tithe is interpreted as 10% of gross income, though some debate net vs. gross, or fixed vs. Spirit-led giving.

Recommendations:

• Encourage disciplined generosity. It often starts with a tithe but extends into offerings beyond the tithe.
• Prioritize giving to the local church, but encourage additional giving to global missions and the poor.

Islam

Values:

• Generosity is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, known as Zakat. This mandatory charitable giving involves the purification of one’s wealth through an annual donation of a fixed portion of net wealth to those in need. Giving is seen as a way to purify one’s wealth, promote social justice, and support the less fortunate.
• Sadaqah (voluntary almsgiving) is also encouraged.

Tithing Practices:

• Zakat: 2.5% of qualifying wealth annually.
• Sadaqah is encouraged often and without limit.

Recommendations:

• Ensure giving is directed to the eight eligible categories (Qur’an 9:60), including the poor, debtors, and travelers.
• Giving should reflect purity of intent. Avoid public recognition.

Hinduism

Values:

• Giving (Dana) is a sacred duty and part of dharma.
• Associated with karma and spiritual merit (punya).
• Best gifts are given without expectation or attachment.

Tithing Practices:

• No fixed percentage: it depends on caste, stage of life, and personal commitment.

Recommendations:

• Emphasize giving that uplifts society, especially during religious festivals and life transitions.
• Encourage discretionary and devotional giving.

Buddhism

Values:

• Dana (generosity) is the first of the Ten Perfections (Paramitas).
• Practice generosity as a path to reduce attachment and ego.
• Monastic communities depend on lay support.

Tithing Practices:

• No fixed tithe: voluntary alms and donations are standard.
• Giving is part of cultivating the right intention and spiritual merit (punya).

Recommendations:

• Give mindfully and without attachment to result or reward.
• Support spiritual teachers and humanitarian causes.

Atheism / Secular Humanism

Values:

• Rooted in ethics, empathy, and shared humanity.
• Often motivated by rational altruism, moral philosophy, and a sense of global responsibility.

Tithing Practices:

• No religious tithe, but many secular organizations encourage “Effective Altruism” (e.g., Giving What We Can – 10% pledge).

Recommendations:

• Emphasize impact-driven, evidence-based generosity.
• Promote voluntary pledges and ethical consumption.

Agnosticism

Values:

• Often overlaps with humanism or interfaith ethics.
• Motivated by social conscience, compassion, and moral exploration.

Tithing Practices:

• No doctrinal giving but may participate in philanthropy, volunteering, or community service.

Recommendations:

• Support values-based giving aligned with personal conscience and social impact.

Humanism

Values:

• Centers on reason, ethics, and justice.
• Encourages generosity as an expression of solidarity and responsibility.

Tithing Practices:

• Encourages structured giving, sometimes inspired by religious tithing (e.g., 10% pledges), but without spiritual obligation.

Recommendations:

• Promote transparent, inclusive, and impact-oriented giving.
• Emphasize education, health, and systemic change.

While there are differences in the recommended amount, frequency, format, or motives for giving across these frameworks, all encourage giving!  Giving may be guided by faith-based tenets or personal convictions, but everyone is seeking guidance on how to be generous.

Stay tuned for Part Two of this article, where we’ll spotlight a timeless giving model that you can customize to fit your circumstances.