Tithing while still in debt

[Tighty_Whitey]

I understand the Church’s teaching about tithing and that we as Catholics don’t merely take our W-2 form to the Church office and contribute 10% of our wages, although we are welcome to do so if we please. (What great support our Church would enjoy if we all did that!)

So my question is: is it morally acceptible for a person to tithe 10% of their wages if they are in debt and delinquent on their debt payments?

 

[Marysann]

The teaching of the Catholic Church on our obligation to support the Church can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2043. It states, concerning the precepts of the Church, “the fourth precept (“You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each accord to his own ability.” The virtue of justice obliges us to pay our debts. You are morally responsible to pay your debts before contributing financially to the Church. At this time you cannot do it. Why don’t you contribute to the Church with your time? I am sure that your parish could use some help in some area or another. When you pay off your debts, then you will be able to contribute to the Church with your treasure. You might also ask for help on this question in the finance forum.

 

[1ke]

I understand the Church’s teaching about tithing and that we as Catholics don’t merely take our W-2 form to the Church office and contribute 10% of our wages, although we are welcome to do so if we please. (What great support our Church would enjoy if we all did that!)

So my question is: is it morally acceptible for a person to tithe 10% of their wages if they are in debt and delinquent on their debt payments?

I would suggest you seek counseling from your priest. This is a prudential matter, not one for which there is a single right answer.

 

[Winter_Warlock_1]

Tighty,

One Priest I heard speak about this subject, made the comment that at times it is very hard to offer 10% or such. He suggested that what ever your hourly rate is: dedicate one full hours pay to the church. If you can offer more great.

May God bless and keep you.

Winter

 

[mountee]

Please know that you are in this boat with a lot of people, I am so sorry for your situation. I would urge you to see your parish priest and work out a plan that will suit your budget. I will bet you won’t be the first person he has had this discussion with. God bless you.

 

[tundramom]

I understand the Church’s teaching about tithing and that we as Catholics don’t merely take our W-2 form to the Church office and contribute 10% of our wages, although we are welcome to do so if we please. (What great support our Church would enjoy if we all did that!)

God loves a cheerful giver. I was never cheerful doing that as a Mormon and I refuse to do that as a Catholic who is free in Christ! I agree… talk to your priest. I don’t think it’s the amount so much as the attitude and as others have suggested, time and talent are other ways that we can/do/should give.
Steph

 

[Luvz2travel]

I look at it this way. I live on a tight budget and work 2 jobs to get by. I give what I can afford at the time. Sometimes are better than others but I give what I can afford without stressing over it. If GOD wants more he’ll have to give me a break and stop sending me more debt.

 

[Myqyl]

I know that in my parish we are urged to tithe what we can, but to offer our time and prayers instead of getting in over our heads financially. In fact Father Bob has often urged those that are in a position to give the full 10% to also consider that their time and prayers are of great value to the Church and that we should tithe in that way as well.

Remember what Jesus said about the tithe of the Widow…

God bless

 

[DebChris]

Tighty,

One Priest I heard speak about this subject, made the comment that at times it is very hard to offer 10% or such. He suggested that what ever your hourly rate is: dedicate one full hours pay to the church. If you can offer more great.

May God bless and keep you.

Winter

This hourly rate was also recommended by one of my former pastors.
I learned from my brother about tithing churches. A tithing church asks for a 5% contribution to the parish. The additional 5% of the tithe is donated to a charity of choice, or God’s people. The hourly rate, based on a 40 hour work week, amounts to approximately 5%.
As Catholics, we are familiar of the story about the widow’s mite. When I received a widow’s mite from an organization seeking donations, I glued that mite to a fancy box. This was my “tithing box” into which I put 10% of my paycheck. I put the amount of my hourly wage, rounded to the nearest dollar, in my weekly envelope.
St. Paul tells us not to impoverish ourselves. Setting a 10% limit to giving, while honoring the idea of tithing, is one way to help with budgeting.
If you seek financial counseling, I’m sure they would understand your desire to tithe even while trying to overcome debt. As others have already stated, the Church does not place an exact monetary percentage on what is or is not appropriate to give. We can also give of our time and talents.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

My husband and I are currently taking Phil Lenehan’s seminar (on-line). Tithing (not necessarily 10%, but whatever you feel called to do after prayerfully discerning), is listed first in the budget, before even taxes. So yes, you should give even if you have debt. Don’t deliberately NOT pay your debt payments, but tithing should be in the budget just like housing, groceries, any other “bills”. (I can’t remember where debt repayment falls in the hierarchy, but tithing is definately first-we’re to give God the first fruits, before anyone else gets paid, even Uncle Sam or ourselves (savings)).

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Delaine75]

As a single mom barely making ends meet, I always tithe whatever I can - sometimes it’s more than 10%, sometimes it’s less. I don’t think the Church would ask you to go into debt or get behind on your bills just so you could tithe 10%, so give what you can and I’m sure you’ll be just fine.

 

[Heather1272]

Tighty,

One Priest I heard speak about this subject, made the comment that at times it is very hard to offer 10% or such. He suggested that what ever your hourly rate is: dedicate one full hours pay to the church. If you can offer more great.

May God bless and keep you.

Winter

I am so glad to hear this. I was searching the forum for questions about tithing and what to do if someone couldn’t do that much.

I was recently welcomed as a member in my local parish and have felt SO GUILTY over not being able to give my full 10% every week because I am in a very serious financial situation. My salary was literally cut in half this year and I have been struggling, having to rely on food banks, had utilities turned off… it’s been very hard and I have not even been able to pay my own basic bills or get the healthcare I need.

I was afraid my church would look down on me if my envelope only had say $10 in it where other people were giving amounts much much higher. I have not yet talked with my priest about this, but will certainly try to get up the courage to do so very soon.

Thank you for this answer, and for inadvertently letting me know I am not alone.

 

[ExGratia]

The percentage has always confused me. A couple with no children who makes 40,000 per year wouldn’t suffer the same (or any) hardship as a family making the same with 5 children, for example, donating 10% to the Church. And in Appalachia where I live, that same 40,000 goes much further than in, say, New York City!

I understand that the percentage idea is based on Old Testament teaching (when, frankly, children were a financial asset so a large family would not be reason to contribute less and the nomadic herders didn’t have to deal with housing costs that vary by municipality). We do not follow many Old Testament rules (clean and unclean foods/avoiding your wife while she’s menstruating, etc) but people feel so inclined to follow this one to the letter. Why?

 

[Godfollower]

I understand the Church’s teaching about tithing and that we as Catholics don’t merely take our W-2 form to the Church office and contribute 10% of our wages, although we are welcome to do so if we please. (What great support our Church would enjoy if we all did that!)

So my question is: is it morally acceptible for a person to tithe 10% of their wages if they are in debt and delinquent on their debt payments?

If you are in debt (e.g., have a credit-card balance) but meeting your obligations, it’s okay to give to the Church. But don’t go crazy; you should focus on getting out of debt.

If you are not meeting your debt obligations (which I think is the point of your question), then it is immoral to give to the Church. Giving to the Church is a gift. You should not be giving gifts to anyone when you are failing to meet your obligations.

This is no different than the parent who is so busy at work that s/he can’t attend the kids’ games and recitals. Such a parent should not be volunteering at Church, no matter how laudable the cause. S/he is behind in other obligations.

Meet your obligations first. Then start thinking about contributing to the Church. Whether phrased in terms of dollars or hours, you can’t please God by shirking your obligations.

 

[Luvz2travel]

I understand the Church’s teaching about tithing and that we as Catholics don’t merely take our W-2 form to the Church office and contribute 10% of our wages, although we are welcome to do so if we please. (What great support our Church would enjoy if we all did that!)

So my question is: is it morally acceptible for a person to tithe 10% of their wages if they are in debt and delinquent on their debt payments?

Give what you can afford. It’s what I do. I wouldn’t let it stress you out.