Money, money, money!!!

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Paris_Blues

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Okay folks!

I’m totally 100% aware that churches (whether Catholic, Protestant, etc.) need money in order to support the building, food, etc.

However, I’m quite irritated and even a little angry due to the fact that Churches want MORE and MORE and MORE and MORE and MORE, etc. money from the congregation and from random people. I know you’re suppose to tithe and all that but I think they go a little too far.

Greed. No, I’m not trying to be rude or anything but that’s how I sense it.

For example, unfortunetely, I got a free issue of Catholic Answers and after that, I’ve been getting mail from across the country, even from Alaska with Catholic stuff and “help us”, “buy this, buy that”, even address labels and with a money envelope to support the place (heck, I NEVER even asked for those address labels), a Rosary ring that I never ordered yet they ask money for it, etc. etc. etc.!!!

As a college student, I don’t have all this money to help stuff! Besides, my parents support me because it would be impossible to work and go to college, too much stress and would either be fired or fail in college if had to do both.

Sure, whenever I get this stuff, it does a GREAT JOB to make you feel guilty. You CAN’T help out if you don’t have the money, yet they may it sound in a way to make you want to help out, therefore, you feel guilty.

What’s up with that? Churches (any denom) tell us to NOT get so involved with money - otherwise we would be worshipping money and NOT God - yet look what they’re asking too much of!!! :rolleyes:

Like I’ve said before, I KNOW money has to support places in order for them to do their job but this has gone WAY TOO FAR!!

So far that it has literally pushed me away from helping! I know I shouldn’t do that but I’m to the point where it angers me rather than me wanting to help out anyway… I know I sound like I’m overreacting but come on peoples!

What do you guys think?
 
Oh, I also wanted to add too that my mom told me that my dad’s dad (in that case, my great grandfather) was a Catholic and when his wife asked the priest to pray for her, he would ask for money! 😦 But that ticked my great-grandpa off to the limit and he LEFT THE CHURCH BECAUSE OF IT!

Therefore, my great granddaddy WOULD’VE passed down the Catholic Faith to my dad and…oh so close! I would’ve been born into a Catholic family!

But then again, Protestant churches would ask the same dang thing!!

Oh, and another thing my mother told me…she told me to BE AWARE because I told her I was going to my first Confession and she told me that I would have to pay for that?? WHAT?

Is that true?

My point is, why ask for too much money?
 
I say if you can,t give with a cheerful heart keep your money. As far as tithing goes if everyone gave as God has instructed us in His Word to do,all needs would be meet.Give as the Lord puts it in your heart. Don,t feel guilty.You cannot support everyone 😉 God Bless
 
Paris Blues:
Oh, and another thing my mother told me…she told me to BE AWARE because I told her I was going to my first Confession and she told me that I would have to pay for that?? WHAT?

Is that true?
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No one pays for Confession. As for the priest asking for money, most priests do not ask for money today. People pay the Parish and the money is distributed for the priests food, electricty bills, phone bills, etc. This is what is called thithing.
 
Paris Blues:
Okay folks!

I’m totally 100% aware that churches (whether Catholic, Protestant, etc.) need money in order to support the building, food, etc.

However, I’m quite irritated and even a little angry due to the fact that Churches want MORE and MORE and MORE and MORE and MORE, etc. money from the congregation and from random people. I know you’re suppose to tithe and all that but I think they go a little too far.

Greed. No, I’m not trying to be rude or anything but that’s how I sense it.

For example, unfortunetely, I got a free issue of Catholic Answers and after that, I’ve been getting mail from across the country, even from Alaska with Catholic stuff and “help us”, “buy this, buy that”, even address labels and with a money envelope to support the place (heck, I NEVER even asked for those address labels), a Rosary ring that I never ordered yet they ask money for it, etc. etc. etc.!!!

As a college student, I don’t have all this money to help stuff! Besides, my parents support me because it would be impossible to work and go to college, too much stress and would either be fired or fail in college if had to do both.

Sure, whenever I get this stuff, it does a GREAT JOB to make you feel guilty. You CAN’T help out if you don’t have the money, yet they may it sound in a way to make you want to help out, therefore, you feel guilty.

What’s up with that? Churches (any denom) tell us to NOT get so involved with money - otherwise we would be worshipping money and NOT God - yet look what they’re asking too much of!!! :rolleyes:

Like I’ve said before, I KNOW money has to support places in order for them to do their job but this has gone WAY TOO FAR!!

So far that it has literally pushed me away from helping! I know I shouldn’t do that but I’m to the point where it angers me rather than me wanting to help out anyway… I know I sound like I’m overreacting but come on peoples!

What do you guys think?
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Everything we have is a gift from God. We are called to be Stewards of everything we are given (our body, our mind, our soul and our physical possessions. Each of these gifts are to be shared with others and not to be selfishly hoarded.

Granted, some of these requests can be a little on the “hard sell” but we need to take each of these opportunities to share our gifts to prayer. God knows we can’t do everything but He asks us to do what we can (not what we want). There have been times that I’ve been moved to support prayer efforts of the Church (missionaries, convents, monastaries), other times various human suffering charities (Catholic Charities or local soup kitchens) and other times confining my support to my parish. Each time I’ve gone outside my parish, I’ve gotten on a “list” that I can’t get off.

At one time, I felt guilty about what I do or don’t support. But once I began the process of always discerning my monetary, time, and talent sharing within the context of prayer, I have a new found peace.
 
I get a lot of mail I don’t even bother to open. Charities I’ve never heard of, and also those that bombard me practically weekly get tossed without a second thought.

Just think about what is reasonable for you to give…and stick with that. My college girls always give between a couple dollars and $20 at mass depending on how their finances are…they don’t give anywhere else.

Remember the letters and rosaries and other ‘junk’ sent to you is purposely sent to tug on your heart…I think it’s rather vile. And if this is how that organization is spending its funds, well, I’d rather give elsewhere.
 
Paris Blues:
Oh, I also wanted to add too that my mom told me that my dad’s dad (in that case, my great grandfather) was a Catholic and when his wife asked the priest to pray for her, he would ask for money! 😦 But that ticked my great-grandpa off to the limit and he LEFT THE CHURCH BECAUSE OF IT!

Therefore, my great granddaddy WOULD’VE passed down the Catholic Faith to my dad and…oh so close! I would’ve been born into a Catholic family!

But then again, Protestant churches would ask the same dang thing!!

Oh, and another thing my mother told me…she told me to BE AWARE because I told her I was going to my first Confession and she told me that I would have to pay for that?? WHAT?

Is that true?

My point is, why ask for too much money?
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My dear little sister in Christ,

They are wrong…you will not be asked for anything but your contrition and penance in the Sacrament of Reconcilliation, and I grew up in the church and I never heard of such a silly thing, but I suppose there might’ve been some bonehead priests that did stuff like that, but it’s never been something they were supposed to do.

6 days and counting Paris!

Pax tecum,
 
Are you sure it is called tithing? I thought that Catholics should only give what they can, no mandatory 10% thing.

I think it is one of the precepts of the Church.

It is titled
“Help provide for the needs of the Church.”

I am on the Catholic mailing list too, and I know there are so many organizations out there that are needy. I contribute when I can but we all have our limits. So don’t worry about not being able to contribute. Or just pick your favorite and send them a couple bucks to cover their mailings once in a while. That wont kill you and will keep them being able to ask for money from those who have it.
There are plenty of people with plenty of money who are able to contribute large amounts of money. But when I do have a little money I will send in a donation to places like Catholic Answers or EWTN because the small donations is what keeps them alive.

God Bless
Scylla
 
the tithing requirement is not mandetory in some locations of the world. The traditional mandatory 10% was lifted in the US because the Bishops felt that Americans would be more giving if it was lifted - boy were they wrong. Stewardship is still mandetory. If one does not tith then they must give of their time to the Church. We have a divine responsibility to provide for the material needs of the Church. However, the 10% of gross income is still a good point of reference.

On the points raised by the OP: It has always been troubling to me that people have problems with groups or the Church asking for money. The funny thing about human nature is that if we are not asked and asked often then we will on average not help provide for others for a constant need like some of these groups provide. In a perfect world none would have to ask but the reality is that they must and must ask as often as possible for the sake of those in need. Also, inflation goes up every year. On average a person gives two dollars at mass. People were giving two dollars at mass 50 years ago. Todays equivilent is 20 dollars if we are to go by that standard but still on average people give two dollars. I am amazed that the lights are still on in our parishes.
 
If you know and believe the Catholic faith, no matter what a priest or bishop or any other catholic for that matter does. you don’t leave it. I’ve told many protestants at work when they ask me why I stay with the Catholic church after the sex abuse crisis. My reply is, they teach absolute truth and no one else teaches absolute truth, so where am I to go.
 
I’m a cradle Catholic and I’ve never heard the word “tithe” come out of any Priest’s mouth. We get envelopes and pay according to what we can afford. Maybe other dioceses are different.

A Priest would never ask for money in confession. You could report it to the Bishop and he would be in big trouble.

Ages ago, when the Church was corupt, priests would sell indulgences - I don’t know the exact year but it was a long, long time ago - before any of us were born.
 
Paris Blues,

I think it’s excellent that your parents are supporting you so that you can focus on school. But I think you are wrong to assume that those who do not receive financial assistance from their parents, cannot go to college. Yes, it’s stressful and difficult, but many people put themselves through school or help out by working part-time.

The Catholic Church needs money to do God’s work. I do not think there’s anything wrong with asking for help either. Just the expense of maintaining a building, heating it, paying the phone bill, etc. is a major expense. Churches are expensive to run!

I started giving more in the collection basket when I realized one Sunday that I spent more on a movie ticket than I did at Mass. Yeah, I was a poor college student living in a city where movies cost $10, but the idea that I could afford the luxary of seeing a movie and yet was putting less in for collection, scared me.

I think we all afford little luxaries even when we’re tight on cash. It’s a matter of finding a balance between necessities, luxaries and charitable giving. If you’ve found a good balance for yourself, then great! Don’t feel guilty about it! If you’re still feeling guilty, maybe you can reassess how much you’re giving. If you end up being able to afford what you’re giving now and not more, don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it.
 
If the needs around the world were not so great, there wouldn’t be nearly so many requests. If there were no requests for charitible contributions the needy would receive little or nothing.

We can only give of what we have and we should always pray for a generous heart. If requests cannot be filled it is a small matter for us to simply put the request in the trash. Those that we have confidence in should be willingly supported based upon our ability to contribute. If in a given circumstance we are not in a position to give then we are not to worry or feel guilty. If we can give then we should give with a cheerful and generous heart.

I never cease to marvel at what we have in the way of material blessings in America, and I a never cease to be appalled at the suffering and starvation found elsewhere in the world. As Christians of all denominations and people of good will, we must do whatever we can to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters around the globe. The charities that seem to sometimes hound us are a great blessing as are the poor themselves. The poor offer the rich an opportunity to be Christ to others. From the pit of poverty blessings can come to the poor through the rich, but only if we are willing to give of ourselves and of our material blessings.

Let us be cheerful givers and always be thankful for the opportunity to be like Jesus.
 
On the topic of giving:

Proverbs 3:9
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your produce. Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.”

2nd Cor 9:6-7
“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly. whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Each must do, as already determined, without sadness or compulsion for the Lord loves a cheerful giver.”

Did you not attend Mass yesterday and here the parable of the talents? You do realize talent was money. We are to be good stewards of the money(and other things) God freely gives us. Someone who has given away all they have out of love for another does not become angry when asked to give, they become sorrowful that they have no more to offer, and instead offer what is left of themselves. You are more likely angry out of distrust for the people requesting the money - perhaps you feel the request is unjust? Or perhaps you realize that an extra dollar a week out of your pocket wouldn’t hurt you but you don’t want to give it and you resent them reminding you of that fact. If this latter issue is part of the problem, confront it and don’t forget to mention it in confession… And don’t forget, their goal is to raise money for the needy - repetitive mailing works for them, its not personal.

Phil
 
Thanks for your responds.

Though on the other hand, I do think that if everyone helped out - and that includes myself once I find a good job that pays well - , maybe perhaps these “ask-for-money” places would decrease, but who knows.
 
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shannin:
I’m a cradle Catholic and I’ve never heard the word “tithe” come out of any Priest’s mouth. We get envelopes and pay according to what we can afford. Maybe other dioceses are different.

A Priest would never ask for money in confession. You could report it to the Bishop and he would be in big trouble.

Ages ago, when the Church was corupt, priests would sell indulgences - I don’t know the exact year but it was a long, long time ago - before any of us were born.
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Hi Shannin:

The Church has never been, is not now, and will never be “corrupt”. The Church, which is the “pillar and foundation of Truth”, the bride of Christ and the mystical body of Christ can not become corrupt. Individuals within the Church -like you and me -are corrupt, but the Church remains uncorruptable…
Phil
 
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Philthy:
On the topic of giving:

Proverbs 3:9
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your produce. Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.”

2nd Cor 9:6-7
“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly. whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Each must do, as already determined, without sadness or compulsion for the Lord loves a cheerful giver.”

Did you not attend Mass yesterday and here the parable of the talents? You do realize talent was money. We are to be good stewards of the money(and other things) God freely gives us. Someone who has given away all they have out of love for another does not become angry when asked to give, they become sorrowful that they have no more to offer, and instead offer what is left of themselves. You are more likely angry out of distrust for the people requesting the money - perhaps you feel the request is unjust? Or perhaps you realize that an extra dollar a week out of your pocket wouldn’t hurt you but you don’t want to give it and you resent them reminding you of that fact. If this latter issue is part of the problem, confront it and don’t forget to mention it in confession… And don’t forget, their goal is to raise money for the needy - repetitive mailing works for them, its not personal.

Phil
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Of course I heard the parable yesterday at Mass (I’m in RCIA you know). It’s not just about money, it’s about using our gifts and talents! If I am unable to support with money, I could perhaps give my time using my artistic ability to the parish I go to.

By the way Philthy, in the past year I HAVE gave a couple bucks or more 🙂
 
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newf:
Remember the letters and rosaries and other ‘junk’ sent to you is purposely sent to tug on your heart…I think it’s rather vile. And if this is how that organization is spending its funds, well, I’d rather give elsewhere.
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Wow, that is such a negative view. I wonder if you would say that to the face of the franciscan monks or little orphans who are making these gifts (rosaries, address labels, etc.), or “junk” as you say it. I work for a non-profit and we do important work that takes money to do and we can only offer small things to people in return for their financial support - it is a gift of thanks.
Even if you insist on taking the negative view that it’s all manipulation (not gifts of thanks) then how would you rather them get the money needed for funding these important works of charity? These people don’t have the money to hire expensive marketing firms to do a big campaign to get your money in a less obvious fashion. They need to pull on your heart-strings because there is REAL need out there - they aren’t making these things up - these are (for the most part) organizations are serving people in situations that OUGHT to pull on your heart-strings.
I say, let them send the rosary and if I can’t send money back I’ll at least use the rosary to pray for them and for the success of their work. And hopefully, at the very least, I can respond to these requests by opening my heart up in growing compassion instead of retreating behind feelings of defensiveness and guilt.
 
We can also read in Malachi 3;6-12 I the Lord do not change. The Lord tells us to bring in His whole tithe (10%). He also tells us to TEST Him in this area. God is trying to teach us obidience. It is better than sacrifice. Many will say oh that doesnt apply for today. But God clearly tells us that He does not change. For many centuries after Christ tithing was the rule so that the churches needs were meet.It was Gods rule and not man,s business to change it. Jesus said I have not come to change the Law but to fullfill it. Even though the times have changed God does not.Just think if everyone did their part,there would never be a need that could not be meet in the church. God Bless
 
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SPOKENWORD:
We can also read in Malachi 3;6-12 I the Lord do not change. The Lord tells us to bring in His whole tithe (10%). He also tells us to TEST Him in this area.
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HUH? I thought we weren’t suppose to test God! :tsktsk:
 
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