When to give at mass collections

[Mary_Katharine]

Hi,

I just realized recently that I should have probably been giving money at the Mass collections ever since I began getting a small income every month. I’m young and still live with my parents so this is why I did not realize this sooner. Should I now give the total amount (10% of your monthly income right?) that I would have given all along if I had started giving to the Church when I started having a source of income? And if so, would it be a sin if I spread this payment out a little bit?

Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks!

 

[Zekariya]

Hi,

I just realized recently that I should have probably been giving money at the Mass collections ever since I began getting a small income every month. I’m young and still live with my parents so this is why I did not realize this sooner. Should I now give the total amount (10% of your monthly income right?) that I would have given all along if I had started giving to the Church when I started having a source of income? And if so, would it be a sin if I spread this payment out a little bit?

Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks!

**It is best to ask your priest your questions regarding this.
**
My opinion:
Tithing is traditionally 10%. Sure, you can spread it out. If you are incapable of tithing 10%, just tithe a percentage within your means. God should always come first but if you have to purchase necessities and can’t tithe much, that is okay.

 

[Catholic1954]

Hi,

I just realized recently that I should have probably been giving money at the Mass collections ever since I began getting a small income every month. I’m young and still live with my parents so this is why I did not realize this sooner. Should I now give the total amount (10% of your monthly income right?) that I would have given all along if I had started giving to the Church when I started having a source of income? And if so, would it be a sin if I spread this payment out a little bit?

Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks!

You have not commited any sin. If you wish to give money to your parish, you can begin now in whatever amount you can afford. Thank you for your support.

 

[GratefulFred]

Some great Saints lived in poverty and begged for their food and shelter while they spent all their time doing God’s Will on Earth.

The 10% tithe is certainly an admirable level of charity giving. But it was set in times when government did nothing to help the poor. Nothing.

From what I read, the average charitable deduction on Federal Income Tax Forms is about 2% to 4% of income. Of course, some give much more while many give much less. Some may give without claiming the full amount on a tax return.

I thnk what is important is having a charitable HEART. Knowing that each of us do have an obligation to acknowledge the needs of the poor and to provide as best we can, given our circumstances. Constant prayer and kind words are just as important.

The amount given or the percentage of income tithed is then a matter of personal choice given one’s circumstances.

What matters to God is that you WANT to give as compared to feeling you MUST give to check off a requirment box.

 

[Razanir]

Hi,

I just realized recently that I should have probably been giving money at the Mass collections ever since I began getting a small income every month. I’m young and still live with my parents so this is why I did not realize this sooner. Should I now give the total amount (10% of your monthly income right?) that I would have given all along if I had started giving to the Church when I started having a source of income? And if so, would it be a sin if I spread this payment out a little bit?

Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks!

It’s not a requirement to give money, although it’s certainly appreciated. There also aren’t requirements as to how much if you choose to give. My dad, at least, gives $60 every week. I, on the other hand, give a meager $2 if I’m with the congregation. $2 because it’s the traditional 10% of my $20 I get per week. I also specify “if I’m with the congregation” because I’m normally up on the choir balcony, where the baskets don’t go. I justify it partly because I’m giving my time and talent with the choir, instead of giving my treasure in the collection. (Stewardship classes in religious ed. The three forms of stewardship are time, talent and treasure)

 

[ilySHJ]

When I was about 20, I made up my mind to give 10% of my income to the Church. There were several years when I fell short. When I was young and broke, it seemed very difficult to give to the Church first before paying the bills.

30-some years later, I give no less than 10% of my gross pay. 5% goes to the Catholic Church. The remainder goes to religious orders or other Catholic charitable groups.

It’s a decision I’m happy about!

 

[pnewton]

The requirement is that we support the Church. How you do this is up to you. I personally think it is a good idea to set an amount and be disciplined about it, as well as looking for opportunity to expand giving. Just start somewhere. Anywhere. Then make it a habit.