Comment by carlosjobim

I just don't understand the purpose?

Churches have directly taxed their followers on their income. Some of them still do, like the government churches in Scandinavia. That's a tax.

Churches have also sold the redemptions of your sins. Sometimes a bit cloaked as donations, like what you mention.

And churches have accepted donations, with expectations so low that everybody can donate. Who can't donate a kopek, or a bowl of rice? People who are too poor to donate anything are not shunned by any church, on the contrary they will be on the receiving end of donations if they wish to.

I would also like to quote the definite authority on this subject, Mark 12:41-44:

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."