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Let's review the figures. In 1991, 30% of Canadian taxpayers reported that they had given at least something to charity; by 1994, that figure had dropped to 27%.
I'll use that figure to do some calculations. However, we should realize that, for purposes of evaluating the performance of Christians, it is inflated in that it includes the significant segment of taxpayers who make charitable donations only to educational, cultural and other nonreligious organizations.
These figures present us with an intriguing situation. According to the Maclean's religion poll (reported in the April 12, 1993 issue, and corroborated by subsequent research), some 78% of Canadians affiliate with a Christian denomination. This means that 51% of Canadians (78 minus 27) describe themselves as Christians but report no charitable giving. Further, of the 67% who " believe that Jesus Christ was crucified, died and was buried but was resurrected to eternal life", well over half (67 minus 27) ignore one of the risen Lord's basic instructions. Apparently they simply set aside the Lord's command that His followers should give joyfully to the needy and to the building of the Kingdom.
Was Canadian collective generosity impressive for the minority who did report contributions? Hardly. For the 27% of us who gave enough to make it worthwhile to report our munificence, the amount of our good will varied from a high of $250 in Newfoundland to $160 in British Columbia. These are median figures; the averages, which would be slightly different, were not provided by Revenue Canada.
The totals take on added significance when one puts them into perspective. In 1994, the average income in Newfoundland was $27,100. Thus a charitable donation of $250 amounted to .92% of income, not quite one-tenth of the tithe. But even this less than stellar generosity looks good in comparison to the situation in all of the other provinces. British Columbia donors, for example, gave a median of $160 on an average income of $35,200, which amounts to .45% of income, or less than one~-twentieth of the tithe.
In other words, the low-income Newfoundlanders were twice as generous as the high-income folk in Lotusland--and even that does not tell the whole story. In B.C., taxes are lower, and thus there is more disposable income. The B.C. provincial sales tax is 7%. In Newfoundland, it is 12%. If one factors in other tax differences, then it turns out that Newfoundlanders are about two-and-a-half times as generous as the much wealthier folk on the west coast. The situation in the other relatively wealthy provinces is similar.
What do these figures mean for Canadians in general, for the broad Christian community and for Mennonite Brethren in particular?
First, these data remind us that most Canadians are not generous. Maybe they think that they are helping the needy when they pay their taxes. That's partly true, of course, but it hardly meets the requirement of obedient Christian stewardship.
In this connection, I am reminded of an experience I had some years ago while a faculty member at a public university in Ontario. The Federated Appeal drive was under way, and the departmental collections person came to see me. As it happened, I was heavily committed to local church and other charities and signed up for only $5 or $10 a month (I'm not sure which).
Thereafter, I felt badly. Indeed, I found myself avoiding my colleague who had given and collected the pledge form. Finally, I decided to talk to him and explain the situation. I did. He smiled. Then, looking me straight in the eye, he said something like this: "You need not worry. You gave more than anyone else in the department."
Second, these figures tell us that evangelical Christians, and certainly Mennonites, tend to be very generous, at least in comparison. Our MB Conference data indicate that the average church member contributes approximately $1,000 a year to the church budget, often much more, and that the average attender who is not a member gives about half that much. In addition, of course, large sums are given to missions and other projects. The most reliable figures I have seen suggest that Canadian evangelical Christians donate about 5% of their incomes, or about ten times as much as the median of the 27% of Canadians who give anything at all.
A third key point to note is that giving to charity obviously does not correlate closely with income. Those with the lowest average income now give the most.
Fourth, as church affiliation and church attendance continue to decline in Canada, giving to Christian causes will likely also decline. That trend has serious implications for churches and for mission ventures. It also has very serious consequences for society in general in that the private sector will apparently not pick up the growing slack as governments move out of numerous assistance programs.
Finally, the figures indicate that Canadians, specifically Canadian Christians, can give much more. Obviously, Christians in Canada, especially in the more prosperous provinces, are not maxed out. Those of us who take our Christian commitment very seriously need to not only give generously but also to challenge others to do likewise. There is need for much teaching and modelling. Maybe we need to think of Matthew 5:16 in a new way: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
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