tithing

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foreverblessed

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What it does the Church say about tithing? Is it 10% of take home pay or 10% of salary before tax? Is there a rule of thumb as to where it should go. For example, what if your parish is wealthy and you would like to give to a non-Catholic pregnancy center which does much good work. I have had a Christian non-Catholic suggest that the bible indicates that a certain percentage should go to world, national, and local charities. Is it OK to take a break for a short period of time if to continue would mean you cannot pay your bills, i.e. unexpected medical bills? I would appreciate any insight on this one. Thanks.
 
There is legitimate dispute over whether tithing is from gross or net income so I won’t go into that. The Church views tithing (10%) as a guide and does not have any specific amount (percentage or otherwise) that Catholics are required to give. We are required to support the Church. This can be in time, money, ability, resources, (etc.) or a combination. The point is to not be stingy when it comes to Christ’s Church.
 
There is no set amount, but it should hurt a little bit. Remember the old lady who gave one coin? Her sacrifice was greater than the rich man who gave plenty.

I am trying to work my way up to 10% of net! I have 5 kids and a SAH mom, and have increased my giving each year. We didn’t buy a new house and we don’t buy new cars, and perhaps the only area where we could really cut back is eating out a little less than we do. But I actually wish I could give more! There are a lot of great causes that I feel bad folding up and tossing, but right now my main charity is for food and diapers for my family.

We do give until it hurts a little bit. I try to get involved with my time to make up for what I lack in giving.

Now, the sad part is, I was contacted by someone at our Parish some time ago seeking for donations to the annual bishop’s appeal. He told me he had the easy job, because he had the to 30% of givers in the Parish. I did not feel pride about my giving near as much as I felt sad that so many others aren’t giving!
 
Our envelopes say that half our tithe should go to the parish and half to another Catholic mission/charity. Seems fair, right?

My choice is Priests for Life.
 
We are called to share our blessings with others. This includes our income if we can. I did when I could. Now my disability income is not enough to even get medical care most of the time. No entertainment, No vacations, etc. I have no money to tithe. I wish I did. I have had to declare bankruptcy because of my debts. Currently am not allowed by law to give anything away until the bankruptcy process is finished.

When I could, I did tithe. I split it among my parish, my diocese, and a number of charities based on their needs and what they were using it for.
Pray on it. Ask God what is right for you and your situation.
 
It’s my understanding that tithing was a part of the Law of Moses that has passed away. So 10% does not apply. That does not mean that it is not a goal for us to meet or pass depending on our circumstances, as we are required to support the church.
 
The Church does not require of us a strict tithe. “The fifth precept [of the Church] (‘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 according to his own ability.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2043, emphasis added.)

As St. Paul says, “Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:7)
 
gomer tree:
There is no set amount, but it should hurt a little bit. Remember the old lady who gave one coin? Her sacrifice was greater than the rich man who gave plenty.

I am trying to work my way up to 10% of net! I have 5 kids and a SAH mom, and have increased my giving each year. We didn’t buy a new house and we don’t buy new cars, and perhaps the only area where we could really cut back is eating out a little less than we do. But I actually wish I could give more! There are a lot of great causes that I feel bad folding up and tossing, but right now my main charity is for food and diapers for my family.

We do give until it hurts a little bit. I try to get involved with my time to make up for what I lack in giving.

Now, the sad part is, I was contacted by someone at our Parish some time ago seeking for donations to the annual bishop’s appeal. He told me he had the easy job, because he had the to 30% of givers in the Parish. I did not feel pride about my giving near as much as I felt sad that so many others aren’t giving!
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My priest always says NOT to give until it hurts but rather give until it feels good.
 
Gods peace to you Theophilus,

Almsgiving is from your heart and not a percentage sign. Give what you can, but give it with love. If you can donate all your income one year - good. If your hurt’en the next year and give nothing - good. Just give what you feel is right. We can donate with time, money or goods.🙂

Our “Faith” is known by its ‘freely’ given good works. Works of the Law like a ‘tithe’ do not count as seen in Eph 2:8-10 therefore a mandatory 10% tithe would be a work of the Law and not a ‘good work’. We need not boast of our works either so donate in secret too if it pleases you.

I make my children donate in every collection something.:yup: It can be a penny or a dollar bill but I make them donate to ‘every’ collection. It is not the money that is important as much as the concept that we should give freely to support our Church and help others in need. Thanks to my kids ‘raiding’ my wallet at mass, I have given up more then one lunch or soda as a result of an empty wallet. A little hunger pain or some ‘free’ water make me happy to know someone else may have a ‘free’ meal or our Church has a roof that keeps the water out.

I read once that a Bishop said to figure up your bills and decide how much you can ‘almsgive’ to the Church then add $1. That would be perfect he said.

Jesus taught almsgiving not tithing by the way.

Imagine the cash our Church would have if we did preach a mandatory 10% tithe and not almsgiving from the heart!

My old Baptist preacher always preached that the entire Old Testament was nailed to the cross with Jesus and was no longer applicable or in force! Then later he would preach that the 10% tithe was mandatory and we’d go to hell if we didn’t pay it and that anything over 10% was an offering! I have even seen some protestant churches make members give financial statements to prove the 10% tithe came off the gross income! I’ve seen the documents firsthand! Unbelievable! So which is it, the OT was nailed to the cross and no tithe is mandatory or the tithe is mandatory and the OT was not nailed to the cross?:whacky: No wonder I came home to Rome.:clapping:

I hope this helps

A prisoner of Christ
 
Jesus came to fulfill the law,not to change it. This is the only time that God tells us to test Him with our tithes.God is trying to teach us obidience. Money is one of the hardest possesions for us to let go of and God knows it. We are to give 10% of our gross earnings. This is called the first friuts.Anything after this is a love offering. Just think if the RCC taught these principles,look how much the church would prosper. No more bingo, which only promotes gambling. Schools would not have to be shut down. You might even be able to have air conditioning put in. Many people would be blessed. My advice to you is to pray that the good Lord will bring you into a position were you can tithe. You will recive blessing that will overflow in your life. Test Him. God Bless. 👍
 
I believe in tithing 5% to my parish, 1% to our Archdiocese & 4% to a charity of my choice. (I like Catholic Relief Fund, Red Cross, St. Jude & Save the Children). I feel very comfortable taking from our gross salary. Where else are you going to get to keep 90% and are only asked to give 10% back? (Unless of course you think you earned the 100% by yourself and God had nothing to do with it).

I also believe it is more than just writing a check, among other things, I volunteer as an usher, Eucharistic Minister and started a Knights of Columbus Council in my area.

God has been very good to my family, these things are a small way I can try “try to do the right thing” and set a good example for my kids.

Vivat Jesus!
 
I agree with a lot of the posters here.

All of the money is God’s We are stewards of it. We are to give him our first fruits of everything. Even money. Maybe especially money.

The love of money is the root of all evil, and tithing helps us to put it in the proper perspective.

I like the idea that I heard from a Protestant minister. - God can do more with 90% than you can do with 100%. That is, if you allow God to be the God of your finances, you will allow him to bless you in this area. For me this has not been something “supernatural,” rather it has been a change of heart in the way that I view my finances. I make different choices when I am tithing. I am more conservative in my purchases and satisfied with less material possessions.

For those who are unsure of this concept, I say try it.

Luke 6:38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.
God bless,
Iguana
 
Notice when you talk about departing with your money people start running in the opposite direction. I guess its our human nature. :eek:
 
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