# Although I'm being paid to be there, when the church collection plate comes around, do I put in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 21, 2015, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478 "2015-01-21T13:08:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/21 "2015-01-21T16:45:52Z")
Many churches (virtually all Catholic churches around here, for sure) have discrete little envelopes tucked away somewhere for people to slip bills or checks into before placing the donation into the collection plate. Commonly, there are in pockets on the backs of the pews, in the same places the missals, hymnals, and such are stored. Sometimes they are up near the church’s entrance, where weekly bulletins and other printed materials are kept. In any case, you can use the church’s envelopes, your own envelopes from home, or just save the return-mail envelopes from junk mail. Or whatever - a folded-up piece of loose-leaf paper would even suffice. The point is, you can simply drop an envelope into the collection plate. That envelope can be empty, can have a buck in it, or can contain your business card. Or something else (e.g. newspaper coupons for a restaurant you won’t go to) perhaps for the treasurer’s or priest’s/pastor’s attention. Use an envelope, and it’s no one’s business at all what you put in the plate. Not that it would be otherwise, but use of an envelope satisfies the truly nosy. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/22 "2015-01-21T17:21:07Z")
Speaking as a Catholic who goes to Mass every Sunday… If you were attending Mass at my parish solely to listen to the sound system, purely as part of your job, I wouldn’t expect you to contribute financially at all. If you hear a particularly stirring sermon or the church is collecting for a cause you admire, feel free to donate- but there’s absolutely no obligation on your part. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/23 "2015-01-21T17:36:50Z")
Wow, this sure lasted a long time in GQ. I’m letting the mods know so they can move it to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/24 "2015-01-21T18:05:42Z")
Give cheerfully. That is give what you want to give and are happy about giving. If you are giving out of guilt about what others think you giving then don’t. When I visit my sons families we normally go to church. Normally I do not give to their churches and that is OK. If you are a guest at a church, either visiting or on the job there is no reason that you should have to give. If there is something in the message that touches your heart and you want to bless the church then it is ok to give. But only if you want to give. The only reason the person next to you is looking at the plate or bag in your hand is to take it from you when you are finished with it. And if he is looking to see if you gave then please forgive them, but do not take on any guilt for not giving. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/25 "2015-01-21T18:26:11Z")
Why would you attend services just because you’re installing a sound system for them? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/26 "2015-01-21T18:31:13Z")
> [@Mortimus](#): > > I design and install church sound systems for a living. As a result I attend a lot of church services. When the collection plate comes around, am I expected to put in? If so, how much would be appropriate? How much? If you feel generous and/or want to be noticed, make it big and flashy. Otherwise, put a dollar in a plain, opaque envelope, seal it, and drop it in the collection plate. Your donation may be duly noticed, but the amount is indeed a private matter, no? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/27 "2015-01-21T18:32:25Z")
Before the work is done: to check the state of the current system and the acoustics of the church. You can’t do this with empty seats because sounds bounces. During the work: to check on progress and identify possible trouble spots. After the work is completed: final systems and quality check. And no, you aren’t obligated to give a dime. Anybody who expects you to is a money-grubber who Jebus would have driven from the temple. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/28 "2015-01-21T18:32:44Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Why would you attend services just because you’re installing a sound system for them? To check out the acoustics and see what needs to be done. They’re not buying a sound system so they can talk to an empty room; it’s different when it’s full of bodies. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/29 "2015-01-21T18:34:46Z")
This is better suited to IMHO than General Questions. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/30 "2015-01-21T18:44:22Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > I suspect you worry too much and are overthinking this. > [@Colibri](#): > > This is better suited to IMHO than General Questions. **I M** ay **H** ave **O** verthought? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/31 "2015-01-21T18:56:19Z")
As mentioned above, people give in a variety of ways; barely anyone gives money in the collection where I go. My mother in fact writes a single check for the whole year in January. No stink-eyes are given at any time that I have seen. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/32 "2015-01-21T19:49:24Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > To check out the acoustics and see what needs to be done. They’re not buying a sound system so they can talk to an empty room; it’s different when it’s full of bodies. Hmm, makes sense, I never would have thought about it. Though I would probably just stand somewhere in the back in my uniform so people know I’m not an actual member ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/33 "2015-01-21T19:59:32Z")
_Hell_ No! ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/34 "2015-01-21T21:51:26Z")
I write a single check a year for my church and no one, not one single person, has ever given me the stink eye when I pass the plate. I’d say just pass the plate. You’re there on the job not as a member. If you want to make it clear you can wear a badge on your jacket with your name and business on it: Joe Blow: Church Sound Engineer. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/35 "2015-01-21T23:14:45Z")
Wear a tool belt and carry a clipboard. Nobody will challenge anything you do, including tell the sermon-giver to speak up. You could have some fun with this… ---
**Author:** ![kurtisokc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kurtisokc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurtisokc)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/36 "2015-01-22T00:01:53Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Do you feel you are benefiting from the service? Are you inspired to help the church to perform its good works in the community? If so, toss a buck in the plate. If not, you’re just a hired hand and their opinions of you don’t extend past your paycheck. Pretty much this. And you would probably not even be the only one not putting anything into the collection plate. IME a lot of church members make an offering every month or every pay period instead of weekly. And as has been mentioned, a lot of churches, even if they pass a plate during the service, allow you to pay tithes online. But the bottom line is that if you are there to do a job you shouldn’t feel obligated to make an offering if you don’t want to. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/37 "2015-01-22T01:30:36Z")
> [@sbunny8](#): > > The standard answer is 10% of your weekly salary That’s gross income, not net. Please people, don’t force us to audit. ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/38 "2015-01-22T02:59:47Z")
Do not give anything. The Offering is for members, and others who support it’s mission, to support the church. It’s not a collection for bail or tossing in for a keg. The church truly doesn’t want your money if it’s not given with Christian lovingkindness. That’s no dig on you, the point is you should view it as a part of the service for participants, not observers; like communion. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/39 "2015-01-22T04:43:55Z")
I am a paid section leader for a Catholic church choir. I am not Catholic. I do not contribute to the Catholic church collection plate. (Though there’s always the chance that I might if they were collecting for something I felt particularly fervent about. Hasn’t happened yet.) I do contribute at my own (non-Catholic) church. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478/40 "2015-01-22T04:50:14Z")
Catholic. I don’t expect anybody to give during the collection, and poking your nose into who does or doesn’t is so completely against the idea it’s making my head hurt. Even setting aside the purely practical aspect that you have no idea how much people are giving or in which ways (there being others than the collection), anybody who does should have to copy the story of the poor widow and the rich man 100 times. In legible handwriting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/although-im-being-paid-to-be-there-when-the-church-collection-plate-comes-around-do-i-put-in/710478.md?page=3)