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Enhancing Cultural Competence In Financial Counseling And Planning: Understanding Why Families Make Religious Contributions, Loren D. Marks, David C. Dollahite, Jeffrey P. Dew

Faculty Publications

Some highly religious individuals contribute a relatively high percent of their income (e.g., 10-15% or more) to their faith communities. This study used a racially and religiously diverse sample and employed qualitative methods to investigate why these individuals give. Five themes emerged from the grounded-theory analysis. Four themes concerned why families gave: a) out of a sense of obedience/duty, b) to express thanksgiving and feel joy, c) because they feel that it is a wise investment, and d) to promote social justice and charity. The final theme that emerged was that they give despite their financial challenges. Based on these …