Profound witness

Charity: Giving money in tough times says much about Christian security | Rusty Leonard and Warren Cole Smith

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William Lobdell's recent book Losing My Religion chronicles his conversion to Christianity—and his subsequent rejection of Christianity after a decade of covering religion for the Los Angeles Times. Many of those stories had to do with Christians and the way they handled money.

"Evangelicals don't give anywhere near 10 percent of their income to charity," Lobdell said. "Only a very few, often on the fringes of mainstream or evangelical Christianity, behave with their money as if they believe the Gospel is actually true."

The data suggest that Lobdell is only half-right. Studies by Syracuse University and others make a compelling case for the generosity of theologically conservative Christians. Philanthropy expert Arthur C. Brooks said that the most important predictor of charitable giving is religious commitment. But even Brooks admits that "very few" Americans practice the biblical tithe.