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followingtheway
Guest
Do as we as Catholics tithe? 
I know some Christian Churches do and even Mormons do, but do we tithe?
I know some Christian Churches do and even Mormons do, but do we tithe?
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Pug
Guest
Are Catholics currently required by the Church to give exactly 10% (tithe means 10% or one out of every ten) of their gross/net/extra money to the Church/charity? No. There is no fixed amount that is required from a designed pot. This does not let a person off the hook from giving money/support to the Church and charity as God gives them the ability. It just means that a measured 10% is not mandated.
Some Catholic people are not aware of the association of the word “tithe” to 10%, so they may well tell you that you must “tithe”, but you need to understand when they do this that they do not mean give an exact 10%. I’ve seen it lead to much confusion.
Often, though, your bishop may provide giving guidelines for the average person that may be based off 10%. My bishop does.
Some Catholic people are not aware of the association of the word “tithe” to 10%, so they may well tell you that you must “tithe”, but you need to understand when they do this that they do not mean give an exact 10%. I’ve seen it lead to much confusion.
Often, though, your bishop may provide giving guidelines for the average person that may be based off 10%. My bishop does.
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Trishie
Guest
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- “From the very beginning Christians have brought, along with the bread and wine for the Eucharist, gifts to share with those in need. This custom of the collection, ever appropriate, is inspired by the example of Christ who became poor to make us rich: [Cf. 1 Cor 16:1; 2 Cor 8:9.] Those who are well off, and who are also willing, give as each chooses. What is gathered is given to him who presides to assist orphans and widows, those whom illness or any other cause has deprived of resources, prisoners, immigrants and, in a word, all who are in need. [St. Justin, Apol. 1, 67: PG 6, 429.]”
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yablabo
Guest
The priest chaplain at Kansas State University says we do have a duty to tithe, and that is 10% of gross earnings, some percentage of the 10% going to the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence), the Parish and Bishop, and self-regulated donations to individuals or Catholic institutions. He said such behavior is binding upon us as found in scripture and tradition.Do as we as Catholics tithe?
The Parish priest where I regularly attend Mass, however, treats the duty to provide for the material means of the Church in a different way. It isn’t said by the priest that we have no duty to tithe the 10% of our gross earnings, but it is only addressed what the Bishop is recommending we give to him out of our yearly earnings (1-2% of gross earnings is what is suggested here) and to the Parish (3-4% of gross earnings is suggested). The rest of the tithing is left up to individual conscience, I guess based upon the principle of subsidiarity.
– Nicole
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Trishie
Guest
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"Parish & Diocesan Giving
For most Catholics, opportunities for giving begin in their parish and diocese. Diocesan and parish stewardship programs should help individuals, families and communities better understand why, in the context of a total commitment to stewardship that is planned, proportionate, and sacrificial, it is important to set goals for giving. All Christian stewards must consider prayerfully the gifts they have received from God, and they should make a decision (in advance from the “first fruits” instead of what is left over after obligations have been met) about what will be given. Many parishes now offer electronic funds transfer options for the weekly offertory in addition to the traditional envelope system to help families and individuals meet their stewardship commitments."
usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/
"Parish & Diocesan Giving
For most Catholics, opportunities for giving begin in their parish and diocese. Diocesan and parish stewardship programs should help individuals, families and communities better understand why, in the context of a total commitment to stewardship that is planned, proportionate, and sacrificial, it is important to set goals for giving. All Christian stewards must consider prayerfully the gifts they have received from God, and they should make a decision (in advance from the “first fruits” instead of what is left over after obligations have been met) about what will be given. Many parishes now offer electronic funds transfer options for the weekly offertory in addition to the traditional envelope system to help families and individuals meet their stewardship commitments."
usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/
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Bookcat
Guest
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
"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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kmuestwin
Guest
I am a student. I don’t give 10% and I don’t feel like I need to.
Whenever I can, I give some money to the collection. Most of the time I can’t give money but I always spend some time in the week physically working for the church.
Honesty, many people can’t afford ten percent or one percent. You can’t really take a percentage of a negative number. My advice is give what you are able to give be it time, money, or expertise. Nobody should feel obligated to give because a forced gift is really just a tax with a bow on it.
Whenever I can, I give some money to the collection. Most of the time I can’t give money but I always spend some time in the week physically working for the church.
Honesty, many people can’t afford ten percent or one percent. You can’t really take a percentage of a negative number. My advice is give what you are able to give be it time, money, or expertise. Nobody should feel obligated to give because a forced gift is really just a tax with a bow on it.
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GratefulFred
Guest
As is often said, “it’s complicated.”
Christ told the story that two pennies from a poor woman meant so much more than a large donation from a rich man who wanted it known he gave a lot.
The greatest Commandment is LOVE. Love is a verb. It is an action. How do we love others? Often it does require more than a kind word or a good thought. The poor woman’s two pennies was a real sacrifice for her and showed her love of God. The rich man’s large donation did not cause him to do without and was given for show and self aggrandizement.
No one is required to pay to attend Mass. No one is asked to disenroll from a Catholic church because he or she is not contributing enough. Most priests, when they give “the sermon on the amount,” simply say, “Here are our needs. Consider them and then give what you can.”
Rather than trying to measure 10% of gross or net income or disposable income, perhaps it is better to start with answering, “How can I deploy my money to express my love for those in need?”
And, then, as my income increases, can I give a greater portion of my income, all for the love others and love of God?"
Christ told the story that two pennies from a poor woman meant so much more than a large donation from a rich man who wanted it known he gave a lot.
The greatest Commandment is LOVE. Love is a verb. It is an action. How do we love others? Often it does require more than a kind word or a good thought. The poor woman’s two pennies was a real sacrifice for her and showed her love of God. The rich man’s large donation did not cause him to do without and was given for show and self aggrandizement.
No one is required to pay to attend Mass. No one is asked to disenroll from a Catholic church because he or she is not contributing enough. Most priests, when they give “the sermon on the amount,” simply say, “Here are our needs. Consider them and then give what you can.”
Rather than trying to measure 10% of gross or net income or disposable income, perhaps it is better to start with answering, “How can I deploy my money to express my love for those in need?”
And, then, as my income increases, can I give a greater portion of my income, all for the love others and love of God?"
D
DebChris
Guest
No, the Church does not require tithing.
It does tell the Gospel story of the woman who gave all that she had, the widow’s mite, as giving more than all the gold the rich were giving.
Like other Christians, many Catholics make the personal commitment to tithe, to give their first 10% to the Church. My brother told me about belonging to a tithing parish. Each family was asked to donate 5% to the Church and 5% to a charity of choice, or God’s people. For its part, the parish gave 5% toward the diocese. His parish eliminated second collections by giving its second 5% toward those causes.
I had a parish priest recommend that each person give his/her hourly wage toward the collection. With a 40 hour week, the hourly wage approximates 5%.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding how much to give to the Church. Those who do elect to tithe point to the scriptural basis for their practice.
Tithing can be built into a person’s budget. Setting a limit on giving can also help a person to “avoid impoverishing” himself/herself. (See St. Paul).
It does tell the Gospel story of the woman who gave all that she had, the widow’s mite, as giving more than all the gold the rich were giving.
Like other Christians, many Catholics make the personal commitment to tithe, to give their first 10% to the Church. My brother told me about belonging to a tithing parish. Each family was asked to donate 5% to the Church and 5% to a charity of choice, or God’s people. For its part, the parish gave 5% toward the diocese. His parish eliminated second collections by giving its second 5% toward those causes.
I had a parish priest recommend that each person give his/her hourly wage toward the collection. With a 40 hour week, the hourly wage approximates 5%.
There is no hard and fast rule regarding how much to give to the Church. Those who do elect to tithe point to the scriptural basis for their practice.
Tithing can be built into a person’s budget. Setting a limit on giving can also help a person to “avoid impoverishing” himself/herself. (See St. Paul).
A
ahs
Guest
I’m SOOOOO glad this topic was posted and answered in such depth. I actually have had arguments with my wife that we should be giving more because we weren’t meeting our " 10% quota", despite our financial struggles.
Turns out, my wife is right!!
Thanks so much to all for posting and answering this topic.
Turns out, my wife is right!!
Thanks so much to all for posting and answering this topic.
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PaulinVA
Guest
Protestant “parishes” have to enforce the 10% suggested tithe because they are typically much smaller than a Catholic parish.
Our 800-seat church building actually contains 3500 registered families. Well, obviously if you do the math we can only fit 4000 people each Sunday (800 X 5 Masses), so some/many families don’t regularly attend. But, if you divide 4000 by 3 you get about 1300 attending families, maybe more.
The protestant church that seats 800 only fills it once on a Sunday, with 266 families. OF COURSE they need tithing to keep up the physical plant. They are supporting the same size “parish” with a fourth of the families!
I think that is one of the biggest reasons for protestant tithing. It’s part of the old law, and doesn’t apply to Christians, but it’s a practical thing.
Our 800-seat church building actually contains 3500 registered families. Well, obviously if you do the math we can only fit 4000 people each Sunday (800 X 5 Masses), so some/many families don’t regularly attend. But, if you divide 4000 by 3 you get about 1300 attending families, maybe more.
The protestant church that seats 800 only fills it once on a Sunday, with 266 families. OF COURSE they need tithing to keep up the physical plant. They are supporting the same size “parish” with a fourth of the families!
I think that is one of the biggest reasons for protestant tithing. It’s part of the old law, and doesn’t apply to Christians, but it’s a practical thing.
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