NFP, just reasons, & tithing?

[LongingForLight]

I’m curious if anyone has run into a similar issue before: You want to expand your family, but cannot prudently do so due to finances. You also want to tithe from your treasure, but realize that tithing will slow your movement to financial stability and being able to prudently stop periodic abstainance.

What are your thoughts? Is is appropriate to tithe when you are avoiding pregnancy for financial reasons?

We’ve run into this conundrum twice, and the first time opted not to tithe (I really wanted to become a mother) and then just never got around to tithing (yeah, I know, our bad). This time, we’re opting to tithe because I feel we really just need to start building it into our lives if it really matters to us (well, to me - DH doesn’t have strong feelings) - and because I know it will be easier to work towards becoming financially stable enough to have another child than to work towards becoming financially stable enough to tithe. I’m just more motivated by having babies than by giving to the church, LOL.

Praying that DH finds work soon, so we can put both of our incomes into getting financially stable and then building up enough that we’ll be OK even if I am out of work for a while. Of course, the ideal is that I never have to return to work . . . but that just may not be what God is calling me to.

 

[BiologyBrain]

I would say that perhaps if you are in fiancial difficulties you should tithe w/ something other than money. By that I mean volunteer your time to helping out around the parish. Visit the sick, infirm, home-bound in your parish. Offer to babysit the children of the parishioner w/ numerous kids, so she can go to Confession, Mass, dinner w/ hubby, etc w/o the hassle of paying a babysitter. Become active in your Altar Society. Sing in the choir. Pick flowers for decoration of Church on Sundays. Think outside the money box and I’m sure you’ll be able to find a way to conserve money so you can afford another child as well as help w/ your talents at your parish.

 

[sheilathebard]

That is a very good idea! Tithing isn’t always money. Find out what the parish needs – maybe there are even things that can be done at home if necessary, like cooking for other families or babysitting.

Though I must say, God always provides. My parents have tithed throughout their marriage, even tithing from their unemployment checks, and our family has never known want, even when we didn’t have a cent left in the bank account.