Do you give 10% to the Church?

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I am going to start my career life and determined to give 10% to the church or poor people, is it practicable? and are you doing it?
 
I believe it is practicable, and I make every effort to do it. I don’t really keep a detailed account though; I often give cash privately to individuals in need and seriously try to forget to-whom and how-much; I don’t want to keep a mental note that might become a “he owes me!” mentality.

But I do also make a regular habit of writing out that check to my church and favorite charities for a specific amount so I do know I’m very close to 10%, if not over. I just don’t want to obsess or be legalistic about it, ya know?

I really do believe that God pours out more to us, the more we give. Don’t withhold or be stingy - it’s all His anyway! :cool:
 
I give more than 10%… What I do is electronic deposit. I have my bank send a check every week to my parish, just like paying bills online. It is my weekly offering.
 
Oi Vey I wish I could give 10%… If I gave 10% i’d be bankrupted… I give as much as I can to the Church indirectly through affiliated Catholic ministries and organizations throughout the year… I also give a lump sum donation to the Church directly around Christmas time from my bonus…

But wow 10% not on my meager wages 😦
 
:sad_yes::crying::gopray2::amen: I agree with socialcath101 it is financialy impossible to feed the poor and my family without someone dieing because they have no money for doctor or medicine so giving 10%to the church is Impossible also my family would leave me because our parish is weathy . if I gave 10% it would mean id committ a mortal sin of stealing. its IMPOSSIBLE. as no one has employment also do you give 10% of what income?? we have no money tree
 
I have given a variety of %ages to Charities as my requirements varied.

The usual recommendation is 5% to the Church and 5% to other Charities.

Some years that other charities is people I know, family, or causes I support. Some years it is the Church like priestly retirement fund, capital campaigns, Catholic Charities.

I have not found 10% to be a problem. But I did not jump to it. Rather, in my career, as I got raises, the additional income went to increase my donations. So my raise increased my percentage donated and I did not see an increase in income. But I was accustomed to the income level so it was no hardship. Once I reached 10-15% I started accepting the raise for myself. Had to reset my base level when married, children arrived, etc. Eventually, I was donating to charity and could start saving for retirement.

Live a simple life, below your means. Travel rarely. Vacation within a day’s drive of home. Take your lunch to work. Commute using public transportation. Do without cable, extra cell phone services, etc. Use the public library for books, videos, etc. You pay for it with your taxes, Use IT.
 
I am currently prayerfully considering my giving and I am working up to 10%. Trust me, even if you have a job, it can be tough to give 10%. However, I know that by looking at my spending, and cutting out unnecessary things (this is where detachment from worldly goods comes in), I will be able to give more and more.

My giving is currently split up between two parishes and I plan to look at other opportunities to give.
 
I think 10% is realistic figure. One thing we have to remember, it is not our money anyway. God gave us the gift and we are simply giving Him back some of His money to use for His Church.
 
Like many, I have a fairly meager income (though of course our Lord blesses me with all that I need and then some); most of my extra money goes to help my mom and sister, who live far below the poverty line. Right now, I donate my time and talent instead, acting as cantor and sometimes lector for the Saturday evening Mass at my parish. I have begun cutting out a lot of the luxuries in my life in hopes that my money situation will improve, though.
 
Joshua_Shorter said:
I think 10% is realistic figure. One thing we have to remember, it is not our money anyway. God gave us the gift and we are simply giving Him back some of His money to use for His Church.
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No one is arguing that tithing and giving money to the Church is a bad thing… It’s just some people have to give at different levels and percents. I give about 4% which is what I am able…

I work for a small Catholic social services agency as a community organizer… My wages are well under $30,000 a year… I’ve got a mom and dad in nursing home. I’m also guardian to three children since my sister and her husband passed away…

Believe me when you have three little mouths to feed, clothe, and take care of 10% becomes a big chunk of change…

I give what I can and I devote my time to the Church…
 
Money is not the only way to give 10%.

You can give of your time, you can prayer for the church, you can pray for the departed.

All of that is part of that 10%
 
If the financial aspect is truly a burden, you could donate time as well. Do you have skills like auto mechanics, basic repairs to house fixtures, etc? Volunteer your skills and time to the parish via helping parishioners. Just ask a donation to be made in lieu of payment. Do you live in an area with snow and little old ladies and men who would have a hard time shoveling it? Same. Can you cut grass and edge a lawn? Do yard work for the parish or for parishioners and if for the parishioners, ask for a donation be made in lieu of payment.

The thing I think we have to be careful of is saying “oh, I can’t afford that” as you search through netflix and play a movie on your xbox and flat screen tv, order delivery for the 3rd night that week, or any other slew of American/Western luxury “needs”.

There’s a lot we could “afford” if we just had the guts to make some sacrifice.

And I stand very much in the impact zone of my own statements.
 
jonbhorton said:
If the financial aspect is truly a burden, you could donate time as well. Do you have skills like auto mechanics, basic repairs to house fixtures, etc? Volunteer your skills and time to the parish via helping parishioners. Just ask a donation to be made in lieu of payment. Do you live in an area with snow and little old ladies and men? same. Can you cut grass and edge a lawn? Do yard work for the parish or for parishioners and if for the parishioners, ask for a donation be made in lieu of payment.

The thing I think we have to be careful of is saying “oh, I can’t afford that” as you search through netflix and play a movie on your xbox and flat screen tv, order delivery for the 3rd night that week, or any other slew of American/Western luxury “needs”.

There’s a lot we could “afford” if we just had the guts to make some sacrifice.

And I stand very much in the impact zone of my own statements.
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I agree with you.

And that’s what I’m praying about.

Many times I order breakfast and lunch at work, when obviously I can make breakfast at home and bring lunch in. I can splurge once a week or so.

I have three TV’s, three DVR’s which is ridiculous, and mind you, I rarely myself watch TV. I have all sorts of data plans on multiple phones, etc, etc.

For those who cannot give, of course you can give of yourself.

The point is, you give as much as you can, without being foolish, to God - prayerfully.
 
jonbhorton said:
The thing I think we have to be careful of is saying “oh, I can’t afford that” as you search through netflix and play a movie on your xbox and flat screen tv, order delivery for the 3rd night that week, or any other slew of American/Western luxury “needs”.

There’s a lot we could “afford” if we just had the guts to make some sacrifice.

And I stand very much in the impact zone of my own statements.
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I don’t have any of that lol…

You know poor people still exist in this country who don’t have those things 🙂
 
Sounds to me like everyone here realize their obligation to Church and other charity and are doing the best they can, which I think is what pleases God.:)Peace, Carlan
 
Evan said:
Live a simple life, below your means. Travel rarely. Vacation within a day’s drive of home. Take your lunch to work. Commute using public transportation. Do without cable, extra cell phone services, etc. Use the public library for books, videos, etc. You pay for it with your taxes, Use IT.
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What if not everyone can (or wants to) live up to your standards?
 
michaelmas said:
Money is not the only way to give 10%.

You can give of your time, you can prayer for the church, you can pray for the departed.

All of that is part of that 10%
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I could agree that your time is part of the 10%. But the purpose of the tithe is to support the physical structure of the church. It’s outreach, its continuing mission in the world.

Prayer should be added on top of the tithe.

we also volunteer for
 
Sailor_Kenshin said:
What if not everyone can (or wants to) live up to your standards?
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I’m just suggesting ways you can live a simpler life. I know a lot of people who cannot use public transportation (it just doesn’t go there). who cannot do without the extra cell services or without a cell phone (job, family, parish duties). who cannot restrict vacations to day trips (distant family, vacation combined with employment travel).

But some have never considered a simpler way.

Do you really need cable, or could you get your DVD’s from the library?
Do you need internet at home if you have it at work or in the library?

Each person needs to decide, prayerfully, what is needed, wanted, and superfluous?

As to gross or net. That is part of the question. I use gross. It’s what I get paid, and taxes are a way for me to pay for many of the services I use (like public transporation, roads, phones, library, healthcare, retirement) Since I am paying for these, it is part of my income.

But, you don’t NEED to give 10%, it’s just a target. But if you say ‘net’ what do you exclude: taxes, SSI, FICA, IRA, 401K, Utilities, Car Payments, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Tuition, Work travel expenses, interest expenses.

If you want, you can get net down to 20$/month 🙂
 
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