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mikew262
Guest
Is it ok to temporarily stop giving money to the Church, if your family incurs a big expense and has to reprioritize their spending?
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elvisman
Guest
Mike -
As Christians, we are not bound by set percentages - tithing being 10%.
But, no matter what our hardship, we can give whatever amount we can. The poor old woman in Mark’s Gospel who gave 2 coins gave all that she had. She put her trust in God to provide for her.
God bless.
As Christians, we are not bound by set percentages - tithing being 10%.
But, no matter what our hardship, we can give whatever amount we can. The poor old woman in Mark’s Gospel who gave 2 coins gave all that she had. She put her trust in God to provide for her.
God bless.
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estesbob
Guest
I am sure it is. but is it wise? When I was 10 my father shattered his kneecap and was laid off for 6 months. His reaction was to INCREASE his weekly offering to our Church. He said the Lord has taken care of him all this years and he was sure he would not let us down. A week later a man from where he worked showed up with an evelope full of money-everyone in his plant had contibuted at least a couyple of bucks,. This went on for the entire time he was laid off. It was then that I learned the true meaning of “Sacrifical giving”Is it ok to temporarily stop giving money to the Church, if your family incurs a big expense and has to reprioritize their spending?
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Todd_Easton
Guest
The Catholic Church does not require its members to tithe, strictly speaking, but to contribute to the Church according to their own abilities.
From the Code of Canon Law:
Canon 222 §1 Christ’s faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for apostolic and charitable work and for the worthy support of its ministers.
Remember the words of St. Paul’s: “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
From the Code of Canon Law:
Canon 222 §1 Christ’s faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for apostolic and charitable work and for the worthy support of its ministers.
Remember the words of St. Paul’s: “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
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Liberian
Guest
Bob,
That is a heartwarming story. My own experience has been somewhat different. I started tithing one year in January and by November I had to choose two out of three between the house payment, the tithe, and the food and medicine. The tithe did not make it.
That is a heartwarming story. My own experience has been somewhat different. I started tithing one year in January and by November I had to choose two out of three between the house payment, the tithe, and the food and medicine. The tithe did not make it.
- Liberian
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bigdawg
Guest
Just give what you can. It’s better, IMHO, to give something, if only a few dollars than to stop all together.Bob,
That is a heartwarming story. My own experience has been somewhat different. I started tithing one year in January and by November I had to choose two out of three between the house payment, the tithe, and the food and medicine. The tithe did not make it.
- Liberian
Also, God isn’t going to reward everyone that tithes in the way that He did Bob’s family.
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geezerbob
Guest
I would never presume to know what God is and isn’t going to do. My priest once told me that He will not be outdone in generosity.Just give what you can. It’s better, IMHO, to give something, if only a few dollars than to stop all together.
Also, God isn’t going to reward everyone that tithes in the way that He did Bob’s family.
I’ve posted my own story here before, but it fits nicely into this thread and possibly bears repeating. When my wife died intestate twelve years ago, leaving me with nothing but a legal mess and a tremendous hospital bill, I made a prayerful decision to put God first. I tried to do a budget based on one income instead of two, and it simply would not cover routine expenses, much less her final expenses. The next Sunday, I started putting 10% of my gross income in the collection basket plus whatever I could scrape up for the DDF and other special collections. I also donated a lot of time, serving on several parish and Knights of Columbus committees, St. Vincent de Paul, and Habitat. God did not disappoint.
Since DW’s death, God has, with a little help from me, seen to it that I was never late paying a bill and, in less than five years, made me completely debt free. Maybe he won’t do that for everybody, but here’s one man’s testimony as to what can happen when you make yourself the servant and let Him be in control. Praise be to God!
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Donna_P
Guest
Hi!
May God be with you!
We are called by God to be good stewards of Time, Talent, and Treasure. While we have recently slowed down a bit on the Treasure due to finances, we still give and give more of Time and Talent.
My Husband just got a new job which will enable us to give more once again!
God bless you!
May God be with you!
We are called by God to be good stewards of Time, Talent, and Treasure. While we have recently slowed down a bit on the Treasure due to finances, we still give and give more of Time and Talent.
My Husband just got a new job which will enable us to give more once again!
God bless you!
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MooCowSteph
Guest
I think only you know what you can afford. If you are still enjoying restaurant meals, occasional new clothes, or cable TV, then you can also afford to tithe at least a small amount. If you have already given up all unnecessary spending, and are struggling to make even the mortgage or to keep groceries in the fridge, then I say God will understand a temporary halt to your tithing. We need not put ourselves on the street. But we must also remember God in our daily spending habits and our budgets.
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T.A.Stobie_SFO
Guest
Mike.
The simple answer is no. You are never required to tithe. In fact, if you have financial obligations you are morally obliged to try to pay them. You are obliged also not to enter into financial obligations you can not afford. Sometimes they cannot be avoid like healthcare needs.
Now, on the otherhand, you should attempt to budget and manage your lifestyle so that you can tithe. For instance, if you have money to eat out each week, you can save some of that by eating in and tithing that.
The simple answer is no. You are never required to tithe. In fact, if you have financial obligations you are morally obliged to try to pay them. You are obliged also not to enter into financial obligations you can not afford. Sometimes they cannot be avoid like healthcare needs.
Now, on the otherhand, you should attempt to budget and manage your lifestyle so that you can tithe. For instance, if you have money to eat out each week, you can save some of that by eating in and tithing that.
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estesbob
Guest
It is true he will not reward all finacially as he did us but looking back 45 years the message i received from that was not tithe so that a man will show up at the door with money for you-it was to fully put your trust in the Lord. Thus my sig line.Just give what you can. It’s better, IMHO, to give something, if only a few dollars than to stop all together.
Also, God isn’t going to reward everyone that tithes in the way that He did Bob’s family.
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Texas_Roofer
Guest
Did you consider supporting your church other ways? usually the church has a plethora of options as mowing, cleaning, teach, painting. These can be affective methods offsetting church expenses. I would encourage you to tithe even if it is just $1 a week, the principle and practice is important.
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Saint_Michael
Guest
How about decrease your money but increase volunteer time? Teach a class, volunteer at a soup kitchen etc…
Mormons HAVE to tithe 10% to receive a Temple recommend, which essentially means they can not be saved and reach Heaven unless they give 10% (which is audited yearly I believe by the Church) since the Temple endowments are mandatory for exaltation.
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that Utah which has the highest density of Mormons is routinely #1 in bankruptcies and foreclosures.
Giving 10% can be more than money.
Mormons HAVE to tithe 10% to receive a Temple recommend, which essentially means they can not be saved and reach Heaven unless they give 10% (which is audited yearly I believe by the Church) since the Temple endowments are mandatory for exaltation.
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that Utah which has the highest density of Mormons is routinely #1 in bankruptcies and foreclosures.
Giving 10% can be more than money.
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happygal
Guest
MikeIs it ok to temporarily stop giving money to the Church, if your family incurs a big expense and has to reprioritize their spending?
God’s know you are having financial difficult, it is ok if you stop tithing for the time being, coz i believe you do offering rite?? Even though as Christian tithing is our giving back to God for what he have given to us, but God’s does not want you to tithe in uncomfortable situation, for he love a cheerful giver
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