Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The Financial Trap: Rethinking Tithes in the African American Community

Let’s cut to the chase: African Americans are throwing away their money in ways that are deeply conditioned by religious traditions. These choices, though rooted in faith, may be undermining financial empowerment within the community.

According to U.S. Census data, the total U.S. population in July 2019 was 328,239,523. African Americans made up 13.4% of this population, which equates to approximately 43,984,096 individuals. Pew Research indicates that 79% of African Americans identify as Christian. This means there are about 34,747,436 Black Christians in the United States.

Many African American Christians tithe, but most do not give the full 10% traditionally recommended. For the purposes of calculation, let’s assume an average donation rate of 5% of monthly income. According to data on household income, the mean income for African Americans is $58,985 per year. This breaks down to a gross monthly income of $4,915 per household.

At 5%, the average monthly tithe per household is $245. When applied across the 34.7 million Black Christians, this totals a staggering $8.5 billion per month donated to churches. These figures are not theoretical; they represent a significant outflow of financial resources from the African American community every single month.

To put this into perspective, consider Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: "Doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results." Are African Americans trapped in a financial cycle that hinders collective progress? The question is fair when faced with the data, especially considering how much of these funds ultimately benefit institutions like the Roman Catholic Church and the global elite.

Historically, religious institutions, including the Vatican, have failed to take decisive moral stands against injustices like slavery, the Holocaust, and wars for profit. Despite their immense wealth and influence, these institutions have often prioritized self-preservation over humanity’s well-being. This raises a critical question: Are these organizations truly serving the communities that support them?

African Americans must reconsider the purpose and impact of their financial contributions. The Creator does not need money. As Felix Martin explains in Money: The Unauthorized Biography, money is a social construct—a system of credit and exchange. It is not a divine requirement but a tool that can either empower or enslave, depending on how it is used.

Redirecting even a fraction of this financial outflow could create transformative change within the community. Imagine the impact of investing $8.5 billion monthly into education, healthcare, housing, and entrepreneurial ventures. These funds could empower individuals, strengthen families, and uplift entire neighborhoods.

This is not a call to abandon faith but to rethink priorities. Spirituality and financial stewardship can coexist. Supporting your church should not come at the expense of your community’s future. Instead, consider how your resources can be leveraged to build a legacy of prosperity and equality.

The choice is ours. By redirecting even small portions of these resources, African Americans can challenge systemic inequities and create lasting change. Let’s break free from cycles of financial dependency and embrace a future where faith and empowerment go hand in hand. 

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