Do we as Catholics have to pay the tithe?

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incense said:
I’ve often been troubled by clients at my charity, who cannot pay their rent or heat or buy food, but they paid their tithe to their church. I suppose if they want to personally sacrifice and suffer, that’s their choice. But when they have children, I just don’t understand.

Thanks for permission to not feel guilty, because I’ve wondered if I’m just not as holy as these people or if I’m greedy or selfish.

I remember Mother Angelica actually chastising her audience for trying to take vows of poverty when raising a family. She said that we need to be tending to the needs of our children, that is our calling. We need to fulfill our vocations in life and not act out someone else’s.
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I’ve known people of non-Catholic denominations who’ve put their houses up for sale to pay their ‘tithes.!’ Others have secured loans from banks with their houses and children’s livelihoods just to be able to pay their tithes!

Without the fullness of Christian knowledge that it Catholicism, they ‘suffer’ this folly at the hands of ministers with such blindness it reduces one to tears at times.

:cool:
 
Mr. Deconi,
I was frankly a little surprised by your response. I must say in all honesty that I know some congregations have placed undue burdens on their members, especially those members who are the most vulnerable to unscrupulous pastors. I do not want to place any guilt upon anyone as to what they give, since I believe that to be a rather personal matter.

My initial issue was my concern for the statement that tithing was a non-Catholic teaching. That notion is totally untrue. The genesis for tithing originates from the Old Testament. However, I also understand that tithing was also practice in many primitive societies for reasons largely unknown.

I was especially puzzled by your assertion that tithing was from EXCESSES. That is very interesting since many of the Scripture references suggest that the tithe come from “first fruits”. The notion of first fruits was also recognized as the reason for Cain’s offering not being accepted by the Lord, whereas Able’s offering was from “first fruits” and was accepted. However, I would be most interested if you could be so kind as to identify where this passage(s) is found that refer to “excesses”.

Also, as to your other comment that “If you follow the Jews that declined the New Covenant, you are in fact, protesting.” That seems to be out of context for anything I may have said.

BTW, the Catholic Encyclopedia has two interesting articles on the subject of tithing.

Blessings,

John
 
I cannot describe how rare it is to see Catholics writing on the internet who are aware that their Church does not teach tithing. The Vatican does not. The Catechism does not. No papal document or encyclical requires Catholics to tithe. It was an old Medieval civil tax law that hasn’t applied in over five hundred years. I cover this IN DETAIL in some of my posts above. It is simply bizarre that ANY Catholics discusses tithing at all.

I’m not trying to be unpleasant. Just honest. I’m tired of seeing confused responses to such a straightforward issue. Tithing is not a Catholic practice. It is (mostly) a Protestant phenomenon. No Catholic is obligated to do it. This is one of the most BASIC issues of our faith. To lack comprehension of something so basic is truly strange. If a person can be so confused in such a simple matter, how can such a person’s judgment be accurate in more complex moral issues?

This talk about “first fruits” is just plain bizarre. If that’s how you want to give, then that’s fine. But speaking about this as if EVERY Catholic is “obligated” to give as much as you do is just plain wrong. It is against official Church teaching. Anyone looking for official support for such an odd belief will never find it.

I give whatever I decide I should give to the Church. No more, no less. Anything else would be dishonest to my conscience. Catholics are to give as they have “made up (their) mind” (Corinthians 2.) THAT is official Church teaching. If you disagree with this, you are flatly wrong.
 
Sir,
I have never stated nor suggested that the Church teaches or should teach anything about tithing. Nor have I suggested that anyone should commit themselves to a tithing regiment. I believe that your response to me was both demeaning and unresponsive to what I have stated.
I would encourage you read what you are responding to and not attempt to interpret something that is not there. As far as I am concerned, this subject is closed.
John
 
I’m very sorry if I sounded unpleasant. That was never my intention. If it seems that way, I apologize unreservedly. It is NEVER my intention to make anyone feel bad. On the contrary. I was simply trying to be clear about Church teaching. If it comes off sounding any other way, I regret that very much.
 
Joseph_Kemp said:
The Church WAS the State. And CIVIL law back then required Catholics to pay tithes (taxes) to the state (Church). Just as civil law requires us to pay ordinary taxes today, to the government. Tithing was NOT required by any individual “moral law,” imposed on our conscience alone, which still somehow “obligates” us to tithe.
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You are right that the figure of 10% is not carved into our hearts as some type of natural moral law. I think that is what you mean. That figure is more like a type legislation, or “positive law”, in those time periods where it exists.
I have heard it said on many “Catholic” websites: “Those faithful Catholics who do tithe report how remarkably their material needs have been met. Moreover, they will cite these blessings as even greater, spiritual rewards.”
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It somewhat reminds me of the “health and wealth gospel” when I hear witness or experiences like this. Not that I disagree that God takes care of us, since he takes care of the sparrows, etc., nor can I say that a person has not experienced whatever blessings they say they experience. But still, I don’t think there is a promise in general revelation meant for all people at this time that giving 10% is the exact requirement to cash in on all the special spiritual blessings, so that those who give say 9% are somehow missing all the secret, special things that God wants to bestow on them, but can’t, because they are deemed stingy on account of a number only.

I don’t mean to say that most people think exactly as I wrote in the paragraph above, but it is an amalgamation of trends I detect from certain groups of people I meet.
It’s awful to have to face life with a bad understanding of what you own Church teaches.
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Yes, so all of us are responsible to provide the truth where it is lacking, if it can be done with charity, etc. Perhaps you are right that God helps those who lack knowledge, maybe with encouragements or blessings. I am sure he gives them enough grace and help.
I saw this quoted on a pervious post about tithing, earlier in this discussion:
“294. Principles and Philosophy of Tithing: Pope John Paul II said: “We cannot stand idly by, enjoying our own riches and freedom if, in any place the Lazarus of the twentieth century [or any century] stands at our doors.”
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Huh. That just sounds like a call to beware not to be like the “rich man”, who walked by Lazarus at his gate as the dogs licked his sores. We must think of the principle of solidarity, and that all men have dignity. We must be good stewards of what we have, and care for our brothers. It doesn’t sound like it is about tithing to me, unless they specifically mean the type of “tithe” that I mentioned from Deuteronomy, which is really about preferential care of the poor (in modern language).
 
I know we’ve argued this for some time now, but I thought this was interesting. Noted theologian and convert to Catholicism, Dr Scott Hahn weighs in on this topic.

He eloquently speaks about this topic and others in his series. “Evangelizing the Baptized”, 2003 from St Joseph Communications.

I would recommend the 3- CD series highly.

Here is the snippet for your consideration.
youtube.com/watch?v=l4M8Tybifyc

youtube.com/watch?v=l4M8Tybifyc
 
Jimmy Akin of Catholic Answers on Tithe

"Now, tithing was required under the Old Law, and the Old Testament laws regarding tithing were rather complex (and somewhat unclear, at least from our latter-day perspective).

We, however, are not under the Old Law, and Christ chose not to repeat the law of tithing as part of the New Law. Instead, we are simply encouraged to give according to our means." --jimmy akin

read more in these links

jimmyakin.org/2006/02/tithing_giving_.html

jimmyakin.org/2005/01/tithing.html
 
Bookcat said:
Jimmy Akin of Catholic Answers on Tithe

"Now, tithing was required under the Old Law, and the Old Testament laws regarding tithing were rather complex (and somewhat unclear, at least from our latter-day perspective).

We, however, are not under the Old Law, and Christ chose not to repeat the law of tithing as part of the New Law. Instead, we are simply encouraged to give according to our means." --jimmy akin

read more in these links

jimmyakin.org/2006/02/tithing_giving_.html

jimmyakin.org/2005/01/tithing.html
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Judging by previous threads on tithing, these discussions usually end with a lot of bickering. It may be interesting to note that even Torah (Orthodox) Jews do not abide by the law of tithing nowadays. One gives according to what one can afford. And if one can afford more than 10%, one might consider giving more. But giving something is more important than an exact figure, and giving nothing if one is in need oneself is not regarded as sinful.

In New York City, where I live, homeless people always ask for money and food.
If one feels able to give to all, that’s fine; if one gives to one or two, that’s also fine. Some Orthodox Jews carry a special purse of change for beggars in the subway or on the street so that they can give something to whoever asks (which is against the civil law on the subway). As in Catholicism, there are different levels of charity. In Judaism, it is thought that even giving grudgingly is better (for the recipient) than not giving at all. However, giving with a kind heart (and anonymously) is so much better for the donor.
 
Jesus Christ dispensed us from all of the Old Testament disciplines(circumcision, Sabbath (Saturday Celebration,) eating kosher food, tithing, etc.); these are replaced by the disciplines and Sacraments of the New Testament. So tithing is firmly out.

“It [the holy Roman church] firmly believes, professes and teaches that the legal prescriptions of the old Testament or the Mosaic law, which are divided into ceremonies, holy sacrifices and sacraments, because they were instituted to signify something in the future, although they were adequate for the divine cult of that age, once our lord Jesus Christ who was signified by them had come, came to an end and the sacraments of the new Testament had their beginning. Whoever, after the passion, places his hope in the legal prescriptions and submits himself to them as necessary for salvation and as if faith in Christ without them could not save, sins mortally.”
Council of Florence, SESSION 11, 4 February 1442.”

This is the ultimate condemnation of tithing: “Whoever, after the passion, places his hope in the legal prescriptions (in this case, tithing) and submits himself to them as necessary for salvation and as if faith in Christ without them could not save, sins mortally."

The Church thus teaches very specifically that to believe that tithing grants salvation is a mortal sin. Tithing will not save us. Maintaining otherwise would be to equate the Old Testament teachings with those of the New. This really WOULD be a mortal sin.

Thus, it is a mortal sin to practice tithing as something that grants salvation. The above statement from the Council of Florence should put this issue to rest once and for all. If someone wishes to tithe out of their own arbitrary free will, that is fine. He/she would simply be exercising his/her own subjective, personal opinion on how they feel they should give, and nothing else. Nobody is obligated to follow such opinions.

But believing in tithing as a saving doctrine or as an official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church would be flatly wrong. Tithing does NOT grant us salvation. We do not have to practice tithing to be saved. Anyone who claims or practices otherwise “sins mortally,” according to the Council statement. This could not be more clear.
 
Joseph_Kemp said:
Jesus Christ dispensed us from all of the Old Testament disciplines(circumcision, Sabbath (Saturday Celebration,) eating kosher food, tithing, etc.); these are replaced by the disciplines and Sacraments of the New Testament. So tithing is firmly out.

“It [the holy Roman church] firmly believes, professes and teaches that the legal prescriptions of the old Testament or the Mosaic law, which are divided into ceremonies, holy sacrifices and sacraments, because they were instituted to signify something in the future, although they were adequate for the divine cult of that age, once our lord Jesus Christ who was signified by them had come, came to an end and the sacraments of the new Testament had their beginning. Whoever, after the passion, places his hope in the legal prescriptions and submits himself to them as necessary for salvation and as if faith in Christ without them could not save, sins mortally.”
Council of Florence, SESSION 11, 4 February 1442.”

This is the ultimate condemnation of tithing: “Whoever, after the passion, places his hope in the legal prescriptions (in this case, tithing) and submits himself to them as necessary for salvation and as if faith in Christ without them could not save, sins mortally."

The Church thus teaches very specifically that to believe that tithing grants salvation is a mortal sin. Tithing will not save us. Maintaining otherwise would be to equate the Old Testament teachings with those of the New. This really WOULD be a mortal sin.

Thus, it is a mortal sin to practice tithing as something that grants salvation. The above statement from the Council of Florence should put this issue to rest once and for all. If someone wishes to tithe out of their own arbitrary free will, that is fine. He/she would simply be exercising his/her own subjective, personal opinion on how they feel they should give, and nothing else. Nobody is obligated to follow such opinions.

But believing in tithing as a saving doctrine or as an official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church would be flatly wrong. Tithing does NOT grant us salvation. We do not have to practice tithing to be saved. Anyone who claims or practices otherwise “sins mortally,” according to the Council statement. This could not be more clear.
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I agree with you about tithing not being a requirement. However, I take issue with the description of Mosaic Law. The Law consists not merely of “legal prescriptions” and holy sacraments, but most essentially moral precepts. Further, obeying all (or most) of the 613 commandments, including tithing, has never been a prerequisite for salvation in Judaism. Indeed, salvation is not even a major reason for obedience to the Law; it is more a question of living a good and moral life in this world. Even the seemingly legalistic parts of the Law have behind them a moral and spiritual rationale. For example, eating kosher food is meant to instill in us an appreciation for the sanctity of the food that we put into our mouths and bodies and to make holy such commonplace behaviors as the way we prepare food and the act of eating. There is, in other words, through the practice of the Law, a spiritual basis for our everyday, routine behavior which we would otherwise take for granted.
 
Jesus didn’t give 10%. Don’t limit your giving to money, God can use your time, skills, wisdom, love, compassion, and labor.
Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
 
Thank you Bookcat. More from Jimmy which coorborates what Dr Hahn is saying as well:

"We, however, are not under the Old Law, and Christ chose not to repeat the law of tithing as part of the New Law. Instead, we are simply encouraged to give according to our means.

How much we are to give is not something that canon law presently specifies. It’s very general on this question, saying:

Can. 1262 The faithful are to give support to the Church by responding to appeals and according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops.

The U.S. conference of bishops also didn’t get any more specific on this. This relevant complementary norm says:

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops authorizes diocesan bishops to establish norms for Church support by the faithful for their own dioceses …

That level is calibrated to be within the reach of almost everyone. Many people will be able to give much more than that.

It’s really hard to give a one-size-fits-all rule here, because the economic conditions of different people vary widely. A family with several children and medical bills is likely not as able to give the same percent of their income as a single person with no children, good health, and a good-paying job.

What God is ultimately concerned about is whether we are cultivating the virtue of generosity with our giving, and generosity involves some degree of going out of our way to do something to help others. This suggests that, whatever level is appropriate for us to give, it should be a level where we feel its financial impact in some way. We shouldn’t give so much that we harm our selves or those to whom we have obligations (e.g., by giving so much that we fail to provide a decent education for our children and a decent retirement for ourselves if we have the ability to afford these things), but it should be enough that we in some way feel the financial impact."

**Based on what was written before on church law and theology here, the definitive answer is this, drop the word “tithe” if that is what getting you stuck. Pick a number from your earnings (2, 5 10%) and commit to giving that up. Give it to the church, to charity, to a neighbor in need. Give money, your time, or goods- but give away something. That way, you will be partaking in the effort of caregiver for your community and begin to start losing a love of money and the feeling that it is “all on your shoulders”. After awhile, you begin to realize that even with giving, you are not in need becaue it is God who provides in all things. **
 
You quoted Jimmy Akin: “…generosity involves some degree of going out of our way to do something to help others. This suggests that, whatever level is appropriate for us to give, it should be a level where we feel its financial impact in some way.”

Jimmy Akin is merely stating a principle. Not a doctrine. Nobody is officially obligated by the Catholic Church to give until they feel a “financial impact.” It is fine if you wish to do so, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But this is not an official obligation or requirement in any way.

Someone wrote on a different forum: “Most people I know give a set amount every week, month, etc. that is comfortable to them, and not painful, or in any way excessive. It doesn’t matter what % you give. Just do a reasonable amount that you can cheerfully give (as in Corinthians 2, quoted in my posts above.) And make a habit of it. You don’t need to disadvantage yourself IN ANY WAY (my emphasis). It is the act of giving and cultivating the habit of being thankful that brings graces and blessings.”

This is PRECISELY the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. If I was constantly trying to detect whether my giving created a “financial impact” on me, it would drive me crazy. I wouldn’t enjoy it at all. I certainly wouldn’t like having such an “obligation” hanging over my head. It would deprive me of any spontaneous happiness that might arise from my giving.

I would only give grudgingly under such conditions. I suspect a great many people would. And such grudging “giving” will not be rewarded by God at all. If people give grudgingly, they automatically forfeit any reward in Heaven they might have built up. This is simple theology.

So in summary, there is nothing wrong with giving until you feel a “financial impact.” But there is nothing in Catholic teaching that officially obligates us to do so. If it is causing you pain to follow this type of giving, then stop. There is absolutely no sin in this. Give whatever you feel is appropriate for you to give. Anything else will lead you only to misery.
 
We’ve already covered doctrine and it is very clear that one needs to do something. Sure, you can do only what ~you~ fell is comfortable and unburdensome. If your finances are not good, then why bother to tithe your time? It’s just not comfortable, either and well, you are the poor, so why help anyone else?

Why help provide meals for a priest once in awhile or donate clothes? Why volunteer to read to children or visit the sick and elderly? Shoot, football season is starting soon and that is worth my time.

Are we then missing the point? Do we assume that we are already perfect just the way we are, neither striving for more to change our hearts and follow Him by taking up our crosses?

No, it is better to not stretch of ourselves and instead take comfort in knowing we are Laodicea, unmovable and content with who we are; neither hot nor cold. We will fight the 10% rule and argue it over 7 pages of posts. Now, we will argue that it makes us uncomfortable and bitter.

We love our children just the way they are, so why strive to teach them anything? Studying is hard and they are only young once and their time- so precious. How dare we expect that they do anything that might require some discomfort.

I wonder if the problem instead lives in the lack of a cheerful heart? Then do not give a dime, not one cent. Instead, give one hour a week and volunteer your time to a charity. Go to adoration or go visit the sick, adopt a grandparent or write to a service member. If one is so stuck on money they can not bare to part with it in any form, then give up time doing something selfless for the benefit of someone else.

The problem here is that we are arguing about two different things. One side says, ‘not my time, my money or my discomfort’ while the other says, ‘none of it is yours at all- it’s all God’s’. Remember that He asks for some and gives the rest to you.
 
RosieWatrs said:
The problem here is that we are arguing about two different things. One side says, ‘not my time, my money or my discomfort’ while the other says, ‘none of it is yours at all- it’s all God’s’. Remember that He asks for some and gives the rest to you.
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I am on the side of none of it is truly mine. However, if I have obligations, that money is for those obligations. If that uses up my money, I would not be concerned. I think God is fine with that. It’s what that money is for in the first place. Same goes for time.

In my experience, people who talk about discomfort in giving more to the Church may be talking about duties that they are uncomfortable shirking. They may be feeling that discomfort on account of that passage in Mark (maybe explained better in Matthew) about “Corban”, even if they have never read it.

They might not, though. We all must guard against undue attachment.
 
You wrote: “No, it is better to not stretch of ourselves and instead take comfort in knowing we are Laodicea, unmovable and content with who we are; neither hot nor cold. We will fight the 10% rule and argue it over 7 pages of posts. Now, we will argue that it makes us uncomfortable and bitter.”

This is a very hurtful and sarcastic opinion only. Nobody has to listen to this garbage. It is not official Church teaching. End of story.

You wrote: “The problem here is that we are arguing about two different things. One side says, ‘not my time, my money or my discomfort’ while the other says, ‘none of it is yours at all- it’s all God’s’. Remember that He asks for some and gives the rest to you.”

How much PRECISELY does a person have to give to enter Heaven? Exactly what is the going rate on salvation these days? I didn’t know you had to give some set percentage of anything in order to be saved. I thought the Kingdom of Heaven was open to all.

You said: ‘none of it is yours at all- it’s all God’s’. Remember that He asks for some and gives the rest to you.”

If you are looking for some “magic giving amount” to get you into Heaven, you will never find it. Such a thing does not exist in official Roman Catholic teaching. It would be materialistic, legalistic and crude. I would not want to belong to a religion that contains reasoning like that.

There is no set price on salvation. There is no going market rate on Saving Graces. No “INSTANT SALVATION CERTIFICATES NOW – NO QUESTIONS ASKED.” Such a thing would be ridiculous.

I cannot believe you actually get upset at me for trying to ease possible fears in our fellow Catholics over “how much to give.” Absolutely disgusting. There is too much fear surrounding Church teaching as it is. And nobody has to bother with it (fear).

You said: “Sure, you can do only what ~you~ feel is comfortable and unburdensome. If your finances are not good, then why bother to tithe your time? It’s just not comfortable, either and well, you are the poor, so why help anyone else?”

Are you actually trying to imply that I (and others) should feel guilty for giving as we have “made up (our) mind,” according to Corinthians 2? I think you are certainly implying it.

And that’s fine. If that’s what you want to believe, that’s fine.

But it’s not a Catholic belief. It is your own. No Catholic is obligated in any way to believe such totally personal, hurtful, subjective opinion at all. It is not official Church teaching. You will never find anything authoritative to back it up. There is nothing in all official Catholic doctrine that says that we should feel guilty for giving as we have made up our minds. You are flatly wrong.
 
Joseph:

No one is upset, at least not from what I can tell. My words were written with a bit of humor, although they are just words on a page. (Maybe I should use some silly emoticons more?) Although I do truly love football- wrote it into my wedding vows even.

No one is arguing that giving anything will get you into heaven, but that does sound an awful like like a “through faith alone” argument you are giving. Is that what you mean?

I am curious how you can say that works of charity and giving are not part of the Catholic church teachings when they are. It is in the Catechism (Chapter two- love thy neighbor) and many popes have written about it, including the now beatified Pope John Paul II. Honestly, alms giving is a part of the universal catholic (small ‘c’) church as well. There are over 2000 biblical references to helping the poor. Why would you think that would not be a requirement of the faith? Curious.

I guess, you can think of it like this…He said take up your cross and follow me. Well, what did He do? Go do that. The more you grow in love of someone the more you begin to emulate them. Sometimes it is an unconscious thing, but it happens. It is the same for this. Start small, but do something.

The next thing you know, you won’t flinch a bit when it comes to donating and even mere words on a page won’t give you cause to become upset.

There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of these and I recommend the writings about Mother Theresa as a contemporary on the subject. These are by the recent pontiff that may prove helpful. Then there is the Catechism and the writings of the doctors of the church- yes, small ‘c’ again.

Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, “The Social Concern of the Church”
Salvifici Doloris, “On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering”
Quo Civium Iura, “How the Rights of Citizens” (November 21, 1987)
 
I thought about this a little more and was given two more examples at Mass last night. They were so blatant that it was almost most one of those Duh! moments:
:
  • Gifts brought to the Alter (bread, wine…and the parish’s monetary donations)
  • Lent- emphasis on greater charity (greater charity, not the start of charity)
Here are two more articles for you on charity and giving from the Vatican:

catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18886
asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-Lent,-charity-means-giving-oneself,-not-just-giving-things-11380.html
*
Helping those in need “is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity”, since " we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess . . . means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of His providence for our neighbour".*

Then for those who can’t find the “joy” just yet, here are some additional resources for you to consider:

Stewardship is not merely an obligation but rather a way of life, meant to be lived in gratitude for all that God has given to us.
Then, in honor of St Philip Neir, my beloved and silly older brother, I had to throw this one in, too.

You wrote:"There is no set price on salvation. There is no going market rate on Saving Graces. No “INSTANT SALVATION CERTIFICATES NOW – NO QUESTIONS ASKED.” Such a thing would be ridiculous.

Actually…we do have that, too! Well, sort of. Not the monetary part, but the ‘no questions asked’ part. Ever heard of the promises of Divine Mercy? Read the Diary of St Faustina and you can see that is exactly what He is giving, hope to the heartless sinner for a merciful savior- no questions asked. How awesome is that??

amazon.com/Diary-Divine-Mercy-My-Soul/dp/1596141107

God is good!
 
RosieWatrs said:
I thought about this a little more and was given two more examples at Mass last night. They were so blatant that it was almost most one of those Duh! moments:
:
  • Gifts brought to the Alter (bread, wine…and the parish’s monetary donations)
  • Lent- emphasis on greater charity (greater charity, not the start of charity)
Here are two more articles for you on charity and giving from the Vatican:

catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=18886
asianews.it/news-en/Pope:-Lent,-charity-means-giving-oneself,-not-just-giving-things-11380.html
*
Helping those in need “is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity”, since " we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess . . . means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of His providence for our neighbour".*

Then for those who can’t find the “joy” just yet, here are some additional resources for you to consider:

Stewardship is not merely an obligation but rather a way of life, meant to be lived in gratitude for all that God has given to us.
Then, in honor of St Philip Neir, my beloved and silly older brother, I had to throw this one in, too.

You wrote:"There is no set price on salvation. There is no going market rate on Saving Graces. No “INSTANT SALVATION CERTIFICATES NOW – NO QUESTIONS ASKED.” Such a thing would be ridiculous.

Actually…we do have that, too! Well, sort of. Not the monetary part, but the ‘no questions asked’ part. Ever heard of the promises of Divine Mercy? Read the Diary of St Faustina and you can see that is exactly what He is giving, hope to the heartless sinner for a merciful savior- no questions asked. How awesome is that??

amazon.com/Diary-Divine-Mercy-My-Soul/dp/1596141107

God is good!
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