Also, regarding the money to charity, I don't know about religious guidelines for that, aside from the tithing thing that I think is for Catholics (I'm very technically Catholic, but have been to like 2 masses in my life, I think, one of which preceded a wedding). I want to say tithing is 10%, but I may be wrong.

I wonder if you could give back in other ways so that you could save some of your money? I know you already do some volunteer work, but could you do some more of that in place of the money? It wouldn't even have to be stuff you could do in person--you work in payroll, right? I wonder if there are any sort of services using your job skills that you could provide for the church or people in the congregation or community? Like I served as secretary for our local public health association for a couple years and was in charge of their Facebook page and some other communications (all volunteer). Or else could you help to raise money for a cause, without it being your money? Help organize an event that's also a fundraiser? Just throwing some stuff out there so that you could be giving back while still having enough money for your own needs.

Also, regarding giving gift cards and things like to your coworkers--are you familiar with the Love Languages? One of them is gift-giving, so it could be that's yours, so you express your appreciation (or love) by giving gifts. Whereas others might use words (words of affirmation) or doing something for the other person in return (acts of service). The other thought is that maybe you don't feel valuable enough in some way, so you're using money in a sense to try to make up for that? Those seem like good things to talk to your T about. And in terms of the financial aspect/charity, could it be something you address with either your pastor or pastor's wife, in addition to your T?