Christians who practise their faith at least weekly give away almost five times the UK monthly giving average, according to a new survey.

Around 6000 Christians completed the survey for the charity Stewardship. Their responses showed that over 60 per cent of committed Christians give regularly to Christian causes, with over 90 per cent of regular church-goers giving regularly to their church. 

Christians between the ages of 18 and 24 give the highest proportion of their income to charity than any other age group, giving away around 11 per cent of their income each month. 80 per cent of this age group were found to give regularly to their church.

Daniel Jones who is Chief Purpose Officer for Stewardship told Premier: "It is really encouraging that there is this generation generous emerging within the church. Within this age group there was a higher proportion in the committed Christian category which gave us room for encouragement more broadly for the church."

Stewardship says the findings also demonstrate a clear link between regular Christian practice and increased generosity.

Those giving the most also experience the most joy from their generosity.

Committed Christians give an average of £314 a month. This is £249 or almost five times more than the £65 per month that is given by UK citizens to all charities, according to the Charities Aid Foundation.

The average monthly giving for Christians across all levels of practice is £124 a month, or 5 per cent of their income, which is over twice the national average and an increase of £47 compared to last year.

But despite the findings, Daniel Jones said a "giving gap remains. If each Christian in the UK gave 10 per cent after tax - based on the principle of tithing described in the Bible – that amount would almost double to £236 a month or £2,832 year. Continuing to close the gap could therefore make a huge difference to many more lives and communities across the UK."