tithes?

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Not at all. And it’s also important to draw a distinction between giving to the poor (or religious orders) rather than colleges or non-profits that have other viable sources of income.
 
God forgive me on this one - I’ve never figured the mathematical stats for my tithing. Maybe I’m in debt financially, as well as spiritually. :o I just give what I think is a decent donation during the collection. But I also give donations during the year to my selected Catholic organizations - and I never tally it up. I hadn’t worked in awhile, so I guess tithing wasn’t as much an issue for me, but I guess I have to start keeping better records…thanks for the kickstart.
 
I always notice the paltriness of my contributions when I fill out my tax forms each year. I was involved in a parish “stewardship” project once where the pastor commented that most people give about 2 percent to all charities combined. I think that is what surveys tend to show.

Another way to focus on the right balance is how much “time and talent” you give as well as treasure. Unfortunately, the IRS does not allow deductions for that.
 
The old testament is very clear on this-you give 10% of your gross income, whether it be money, crops, or whatever. Whether or not it satisfies this requirement to give the tithe to poor people instead of the church, I don’t know. But its 10% at least, pure and simple. See the book of Malachi for other details…Roanoker
 
roanoker said:
The old testament is very clear on this-you give 10% of your gross income, whether it be money, crops, or whatever. Whether or not it satisfies this requirement to give the tithe to poor people instead of the church, I don’t know. But its 10% at least, pure and simple. See the book of Malachi for other details…Roanoker
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Yes, but it’s no requirement. I think people would give more without the high cost of taxes, tuition and health care, for starters.
 
allana said:
I know the importance of paying tithes as a catholic,
saint-mike.org/Library/Rule/Excerpts/principles_tithing.asp

but i prefer to take that one tenth and feed the poor or give it to charity, while still making my usual church offerings. is that wrong as a catholic?
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there is no requirement for Catholics on tithing a specific percentage of income or dollar amount (unless a certain parish or diocese has undertaken a stewardship program with pledges etc). but there is no universal requirement, except that we are required to support the Church and to give alms 9charitable giving). You may use your prudential judgement and apportion what you have decided to give in any way you wish. To insist otherwise is to misstate Catholic teaching.

the guidelines linked by OP are just that guidelines, not law. moreover they apply to a specific group, the Order of St. Michael, not to the universal Church. The principals are sound but they are not requirements. Catholics are not bound by the tithing laws of th OT any more than they are bound by the dietary laws.
 
The Church does NOT require tithing. You are to give what you are able.

Remember, in the Middle Ages, when there was a Church tithe, the Church supported ALL charity, education, and helathcare out of that tithe, as well as supporting the clergy and Churches. Not bad for 10%.

God Bless
 
Read Malachi. If you have no respect for the OT, then I guess you can ignore it. I read it as a requirement. After all, it IS God speaking to Malachi. That’s good enough for me. You can always rationalize reasons for not giving. Always. But think about the day when you stand before the White Throne of Judgement and have to explain to the Almighty why other things were more important than Him…
 
I’ve personally found there’s an advantage if one is giving consistently. Once it becomes a habit it tends to be easier to work on regarding improvement, frequency and so on. I think you’re doing great allana; and thanks for bringing up the subject…never hurts to take a second look at how we give (or need to).

Another way to support the Church and the poor at the same time is to request Mass intentions by sending stipends to missionary priests through one’s parish (fairly common procedure here). Sometimes all a missionary priest has to live on are his Mass stipends.

Now if, for example, several of those Mass intentions were for the holy souls in Purgatory, one would be paying yet another type of alms; as our dear Lord Jesus said to St. Faustina Kowalska and as appears as the Quote for day 8 of the Novena to the Divine Mercy:

Eighth Day
“Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”
 
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