Do we have to support our parish every month?

[jtav]

Is it occasionally permissible to spend one’s tithing budget on a Catholic or secular charity? I adore my parish but I’m looking at one of those “gift” catalogs organizations like CRS put out–send a girl in Africa to school for $50, that kind of thing–and I see one that speaks to me but it would also take up my tithing and charity budget for the month. I love my parish and normally support it.

 

[pianistclare]

It’s up to you to decide the increments of giving.
If you want to divert some funds at Christmas to some other worthy charity, then do it.
Nobody is looking.

 

[Bonnie]

There aren’t any rules about how much you should give to your parish. The only suggestion I’ve heard is to give about 5% of your income to the parish & 5% to other charities. That’s what we were doing until our income dropped, so we give the same amount to the parish, but less to charities.

 

[peter26]

There is no obligation to “tithe”, rather to “support the church”. Putting what you can afford in the collection each week is sufficient. I’m a church treasurer, and I can tell you not everyone gives money each month. And clearly there are good reasons why some can and some can’t and some choose to give in different ways.

 

[CountrySteve]

God calls us to tithe. The amount is what one can afford. You could donate to your local parish say one month, and then to the charity you are interested in the next month. Sorta rotating it.

 

[Wesrock]

Just keep in mind that the parish does need funds to remain operational, keep up to date, care for our priests, and to carry out its own ministries. It’s up to you to determine how best to allot your monies, just don’t forget about your parish, too.

 

[Rosebud77]

God calls us to tithe. The amount is what one can afford. You could donate to your local parish say one month, and then to the charity you are interested in the next month. Sorta rotating it.

Actually tithing is OT… Paul says it differently , give what you can afford,

I am not attached to any one parish and give every cent I can spare to my family who are working overseas in rescuing babies and caring for the homeless; the work of Jesus.

 

[CountrySteve]

Actually tithing is OT… Paul says it differently , give what you can afford,

I am not attached to any one parish and give every cent I can spare to my family who are working overseas in rescuing babies and caring for the homeless; the work of Jesus.

Yeah, when I used the word tithe I did not mean the literal ten percent of ones income as the Old Testament commands. However, it is one of the precepts of the Church to help support our pastors financially when you can.

 

[Horton]

I write a check for the same amount every Sunday and put it in the basket. It’s not 10% of my income and I can afford more. However, I do believe in works of charity also as a way of giving. Either by helping someone in need, volunteering with an organization or just giving money.

So my church gets a very consistent amount from me every week and I’m then able to help other causes as they come up.

 

[Viki63]

Just FYI, I highly recommend this book: The Power of the Tithe.

The author shows from scripture that tithing releases God to work with the other 90% more effectively,and since God’s desire is to help the church, he will increase the whole amount so the tithe can be larger.
It sounds like a Protestant notion, but he is very convincing.
And it is said that we can’t outgive the Lord.

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