Catholic view on Tithing

[TheExorcist]

Hi all,

Does the Catholic church teach tithing? I haven’t heard anything about it. My current church it’s pretty much mandatory to be a member in good standing. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Barbkw]

It’s a given. If we want the lights to stay on, the insurance to be paid, our priest to receive a salary and medical, etc. we have to be supportative of the Church.

Our parish keeps a running total and posts it in the bulletin. I believe the current daily amount needed to support our Church is $400 a day. Every Church’s budget will vary.

 

[Theophorus]

Hi all,

Does the Catholic church teach tithing? I haven’t heard anything about it. My current church it’s pretty much mandatory to be a member in good standing. Thanks for all your help!

We don’t do tithing we would ask that you give only what you can afford. Suggestions as to what to give can be made and will vary from place to place you can do tithing if you like but its not mandatory

 

[mom2em]

Today I goofed. I had $25 for the regular collection, $20 for the archbishop appeal and $22 for St. Vincent de Paul. Toward the end of mass a second collection went around and I thought that that was for St. Vincent de Paul but instead it turned out to be for the Archbishop appeal so whoops I put $42 in the appeal collection and had none for St. Paul today. hehe I think I only mention that because I felt bad that I hadn’t anything for SVDP. At our church, a suggested amount for our dues (which isn’t the same as the weekly collection) is $30 or what equals a days pay. So I’ve been trying to put $20-$30 in weekly or more when I can. Or if there are special collections, like this week with the Archbishop appeal and SDVP. Nothing more though that what we can personally afford is ever asked of us.

I’ve heard what equals an hours pay to a days pay are good guidelines to follow when you can. Or more if you can do it. Some people still use 10% but that isn’t mandatory, but still not a bad suggestion either if you find yourself able to do as such.

Give generously and from your heart, as a gift. I wish I could remember the quote from the bible better than butchering it with paraphrasing.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

In fact, the church DOES teach that tithing is a worthy goal, but that each should give according to their capability.

If you can give only “the widow’s mite”, then that is what you can give. If you can give 10%, then that is what you should give.

Catholics, especially in the United States, tend to be among the LEAST giving financially. That’s a shame.

 

[familyof4]

In our parish, I have never seen or heard of a specific amount. Some give a lot, some give a few dollars. Some how, it is enough. No one would be turned away, or considered to be in bad standing because they could not afford to give.

I do recall in high school, the parish church had some info stating that the goal of parishoners should be 3%. If everyone could actually do that, our parish would be in the black, and be able to pay off the building fund.

 

[atara]

Well, I was really hurt on this topic. I was giving what we could every month. Then we get a letter from the Priest asking us to give more. I could not so I didn’t. Then we get ANOTHER letter asking us to give more. So, I doubled it. AFter one month we were in a bind and I stopped the monthly debit all together. I felt like I was dealing with a collection agency. I received a short, curt response. :imsorry::imsorry::bighanky:
It seemed there was no understanding and that we were being hounded by a strong sermon and subsequent letters.

 

[novusCatholic]

Well, I was really hurt on this topic. I was giving what we could every month. Then we get a letter from the Priest asking us to give more. I could not so I didn’t. Then we get ANOTHER letter asking us to give more. So, I doubled it. AFter one month we were in a bind and I stopped the monthly debit all together. I felt like I was dealing with a collection agency. I received a short, curt response. :imsorry::imsorry::bighanky:
It seemed there was no understanding and that we were being hounded by a strong sermon and subsequent letters.

Were the letters that asked for increased giving written specifically to you or were they form letters sent out to all of the parishioners? Maybe the parish was seeing a drop in giving and used the “buckshot approach” to reach out to the parishioners?

Sometimes it is difficult for a person to strike a balance between giving out of obligation and giving with a joyful heart.

 

[atara]

Novus,

The first letter may have been general, but the second one was not. It was one of those “Hey I sent you a letter asking you to give more and you didn’t.”

When I upped the tithe I got a “thank you” letter.

So, obviously they are keeping very close tabs on who gives what & when.

 

[novusCatholic]

Novus,

The first letter may have been general, but the second one was not. It was one of those “Hey I sent you a letter asking you to give more and you didn’t.”

When I upped the tithe I got a “thank you” letter.

So, obviously they are keeping very close tabs on who gives what & when.

I understand that a parish may occassionaly have to ask its parishioners to reflect upon their giving. After all, we should be supporting our local parish and the work of the Church. Optimally, these reminders would be handled in a way that would not remove the joy from our giving. Individual letters seem a bit harsh to me. How would they know someone’s individual finances and other giving anyway?

I’ve been told that one should try to give 5% to the local parish and also try to give another 5% to other worthy causes. This seems reasonable to me. Everyone’s circumstances are different, of course. I also like the idea that a person can give in other ways. Volunteering, for example. Painting, cleaning, working on landscaping. This would help the parish financially also.

In any case, I think it’s important that we give with a joyful heart.

 

[als10062008]

The Church asks that you prayerfully give what you can. God knows each person’s heart and situations. A person who can give a small amount but do so with a generous and grateful heart is more appreciated than a donation that is given out of guilt. My advice - ignore the letters from the parish, give what you can, and let God use your gifts for His good.

The Church also asks for prayerful consideration of time gifts. Donating time to your church and its ministries is another way to give back, and is a special grace if you are able to do so.