Does your church have 10% tithing and if your Catholic do you pay 10%

[wisdomseeker]

What I find interesting is that everyone talks of how “money-grubbing” the RCC is, yet they are the one church that does NOT advocate tithing!

some day they shall see the truth.
i grew up in the CC and never heard about tithing. we always gave what we could which wasnt much. but we were encouraged to give to the poor, to take care of the poor.
there is a miracle here.

 

[ckempston]

I actually believe that tithing involves much more than 10% [First fruits, sabbatical and jubilee years, freeing slaves and foregiving debts - are all associated with giving to God] but Sepharad could speak to that in greater detail I think …

The funny thing I think of when christians discuss tithing … that’s OT, etc ----- NT says … we are to give from our hearts - joyful giving, etc … ] is that we believe that we should [can?] start at zero …

For the gift of God to man which was - Moses, the Law and the Prophets … a proscribed tithe [of 10%] was given … I am sure that God desired the Hebrew people to give joyfully and from their hearts …

As Christians we have Moses, the Law and the Prophets PLUS the Messiah, Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, the Church, the Sacraments [epsecially Baptism, Reconcilliation and EUCHAIRST - the very Body and Blood of Christ!], the New Testament … and we give ?? … ?? … 0% … uh whatever feels good to me today …

Jesus tell of the widow who gave 2 mites from her need. That small gift was far more than the 10% given by the Rich Man from his abundnce …

We are to give from our need … a gift from our abundance is not truly a gift … it is just left overs … All of our wealth [health, happiness, talent and intelligence] all come from God …

It is not hard to get to 10% plus of gross when you make thanking God for your gifts a priority …

No the church does not demand it … the gift should come from your heart …

We target 5-6% for our parish [some of which goes to Social justice out reach] and 4-5% other charitable causes … at the end of the year we usually hit about 12-17% and we cannot capture all charitable donations… and of course this does not take into account other parish support via fund raisers like spaghetti and other dinners, script sales, book fares, car washes, food items …

I actually believe the tithe was merely a tenth of the increase, and not a tenth of “gross.” That would have been hard anyway, since there wasn’t technically an “income” in Israel when the tithe was instituted. There were also only certain items that were “tithable” and money was not one of them. If you read the Law (I forget where) it has a list of things to “tithe” specifically.

 

[BlestOne]

My parish recommends 5% to the Church and 5% to a Charity of your choice… but they also are quite adamant about telling us that time and talent are more important than financial support.

Our parish totally renovated a house for the rectory voluntarily and all of our outside maintenance is voluntary. I know because for years I was the one who weeded between the cracks on the sidewalk.

I set up a database of PSR families for the parish a few years back and they have now expanded it to all parish families. Our computer teacher took over where I left off and I spent hours teaching Sister how to set up and print off reports.

All of these things I did were done either while I was unemployed or under employed since I couldn’t contribute money. I was never made to feel less than because I couldn’t contribute money.

On the other hand… I had a friend that wanted to join the Church and was quite surprised that part of the process was not financial paperwork as it had been in her Protestant Church. She confided in me that she had expected to fill out financials and then be considered a full member… RCIA was a shocker…(what, I actually have to learn about this faith?) but still the biggest shock was the lack of financial paperwork. When I questioned her about it, she said that her other church told her how much to tithe and she was lost trying to figure out how much to contribute at the Catholic Church.

 

[Sepharad]

If they don’t advocate it (as you say), then why do they pass the basket for money at Sunday Mass???

Annie

Tithing is a mandatory 10%…offerings are whatever you can give.

I will say though (I’m not Catholic, btw), that I know Catholics with kids in parochial school, and they MUST give a certain amount in the collection each week, in addition to their tuition. Not sure what that’s all about, but I think the tuition is kept lower by the fact that they have to do that. Maybe someone else here can explain it better.

 

[love4mary]

I financially give nothing to my parish at this time. Economy is so bad that I am lucky to afford fuel for my vehicle. What I DO give is my Time and Talent. I help to clean which saves the parish close to 2000.00 a month, that $2000.00 then goes into other ministries.

I went to my pastor once with my guilt feelings about not being able to afford to put an envelope in the basket every month, he, knowing that I clean the parish went into his office and showed me the cleaning estimate that a local maid service gave him. Father told me that by cleaning the parish, I was helping to put that $2000.00 BACK into the general operating funds which supported all the ministries. I have never felt guilty again for not being able to give from my small income.

 

[Catholic90]

I think mandatory tithing is bad. The churches get the money tax-free and the church-goers get a tax break. This leaves less money for the government.

I think people should give what they feel they can, and not get a write-off on their taxes for it. It’s a big scam, unless people give freely from thier own hearts and pockets. That goes for charity too.

I agree that mandatory tithing is bad.

However, I hope you are kidding about the “less money for the government”. The government can’t manage what they have and is a big, bloated thing. It needs to be cut down and pared and accountable for what they are doing with the money they have.

Having charitable donations be non-taxed is also a good thing. People will give more to charity when they can deduct it from taxes.

The govt does NOT need to have their sticky little fingers in every pot.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

It doesn’t matter what you think about the government’s spending habits personally - it is our infrastructure. The more loopholes there are for people to reduce their taxes, the more the burden is put on other people. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” but as for charity, do not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. That is why the Catholic church is so good, it allows people to have true charity - to put money in the basket anonymously. In our church, someone put $1,000. in the basket one Sunday, and no one knew who it was.

 

[Aramis]

i’m not a troll I just wanted to start a discussion. My gosh I will leave if you all are going to be like that! How rude! and most Catholics pay about 1-5%. I was wondering if anyone payed the full 10%!

I will NEVEr post here again. Sorry for ASKING!

I’m Catholic. I try.

I hit about 5-8% of my income, but less than 1% of my (non-catholic) wife’s income… She allows me to always have something for the collection, as I don’t work in the summer.

Pray for her conversion…

 

[Annie_B]

“Tithe” means to give one-tenth, like Mormons are required to do in order to hold a temple recommend. Catholics are not required to give anything, though everybody who is able is expected to contribute something to the Parish to keep the lights on; hence the basket. In our Parish the recommended contribution is one hour’s wage - if individual circumstances allow. In practice, most people put a one or five dollar bill in the basket.

I know what “tithe” means And I know what Mormons are required to give - I used to be one However, I also know that the “fund raising” does vary from parish to parish and person to person. I think, though, thatit is not appropriate to ask for money at Mass. The Catholics could just put a donation box somewhere at the back of the church and trust that people will donate.

Annie

 

[Annie_B]

Tithing is a mandatory 10%…offerings are whatever you can give.

I will say though (I’m not Catholic, btw), that I know Catholics with kids in parochial school, and they MUST give a certain amount in the collection each week, in addition to their tuition. Not sure what that’s all about, but I think the tuition is kept lower by the fact that they have to do that. Maybe someone else here can explain it better.

I know that tithing is technically 10%, but I am curious as to where you get your information that it is MANDATORY. Where is the “mandatory” part written? Just curious…In some churches it is mandatory - others not.

Annie

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Tithe means 10 percent. In the Jewish religion is is still mandatory I believe, but after the coming of Christ the Jewish law no longer prevails.

 

[Sepharad]

I know that tithing is technically 10%, but I am curious as to where you get your information that it is MANDATORY. Where is the “mandatory” part written? Just curious…In some churches it is mandatory - others not.

Annie

Its in the Torah (“Old Testament”), which is why Jews adhere to it. I don’t know why most Christians adhere to it, esp. since they claim to believe the Torah is “done away with” (chas ve’sholom).

 

[wisdomseeker]

I know what “tithe” means And I know what Mormons are required to give - I used to be one However, I also know that the “fund raising” does vary from parish to parish and person to person. I think, though, thatit is not appropriate to ask for money at Mass. The Catholics could just put a donation box somewhere at the back of the church and trust that people will donate.

Annie

i know that the CC where i come from do just that. they have an wood box in the Church as people comes in they drop their money in. i begin to see basket going around here in America. i dont know why.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

What does it matter if they pass the basket? That’s they way we have always done it (I’m 53 years old). What’s the problem?

 

[inJESUS]

Am Catholic and never heared of tithing. We have the basket on Sunday ( not all parishes have it) and everyone is free to put or not, and the amount he wants. It is my understanding that such money goes for candles, incence, electricity (AC in summer), photocopies distributed, parish magazine ecc.

 

[geezerbob]

Anyone who doesn’t tithe is only shortchanging himself. God will not be outdone in generosity.

 

[SDA2RC]

I know what “tithe” means And I know what Mormons are required to give - I used to be one However, I also know that the “fund raising” does vary from parish to parish and person to person. I think, though, thatit is not appropriate to ask for money at Mass. The Catholics could just put a donation box somewhere at the back of the church and trust that people will donate.

Annie

I agree… I am not in favor of the weekly collection! Special collections… definitely! But the weekly collection could be replaced with donation boxes.

 

[TDiGaetano]

During the offertory is right after the reading from sacred scripture this is when the bread and wine are taken up to the altar. This is generally the collection goes around, since the church now a days buys the bread and wine the collection is part of this offering to God as we pitch in what we can to keep our parishes running.

But what is more important then 1% 5% or 10% of what you make is that you offer up 100% of all your short commings and failures to be forgiven by Christ on the Cross that is made present at the mass.

 

[Sepharad]

Anyone who doesn’t tithe is only shortchanging himself. God will not be outdone in generosity.

I have to agree 100% with this. When I began tithing (after becoming a religious Jew), G-d began blessing me abundantly with income from places I’d never imagined! And you know, it says that in the Bible (“Old Testament”): G-d actually says “prove me” to see if He will not open the storehouses of blessings when you lay aside 10% of your income.

After I began tithing, I received not one but two inheritances, enough to take care of my retirement for the rest of my life (provided I don’t spend any of it!)

G-d is faithful!

 

[Catholic90]

It doesn’t matter what you think about the government’s spending habits personally - it is our infrastructure. The more loopholes there are for people to reduce their taxes, the more the burden is put on other people. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” but as for charity, do not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. That is why the Catholic church is so good, it allows people to have true charity - to put money in the basket anonymously. In our church, someone put $1,000. in the basket one Sunday, and no one knew who it was.

I feel I pay way too much in taxes. If I can reduce my tax burden by donating money to the Catholic church and then writing that off of my taxes, that is a GOOD thing! The church wins cuz they get a donation, and I win cuz my taxes are lowered. So, I “render unto Caesar”, but if I can lessen my burden, I will do so!

I have a property tax bill that supports my local schools. I also have a tuition bill for sending my kids to Catholic school. The tuition is not deductible. So I am paying to send my kids to school twice - once to public school (property tax) and once to Catholic school. I have NO GUILT about reducing my taxes in other areas.