I had a question on Tithing

[Y_Cathol]

I got a question from someone at work; she asked if she should be tithing.

so I said, "Yes, you should"

so she says "what if the pastor is using the money for personal things?"

I asked her "What Church do you belong to?"

she says "I belong to a few [denominations]"

(I didn't know how to answer that part?)

We did get on to this:

she says "if your mom is sick and you only have enough for tithing or to help your mom, which should I do?"

I said "Help your mom. It is the PERSON that is important..."

anyway...

is there anything about this that you can give me insight on?

 

[Ave Maria]

I have no idea but I have always wondered if tithing is required. I try to tithe at least a couple dollars when I can but sometimes that isn't possible.

 

[Michie]

In most congregations I've been in it is considered 10% of total income.

Most cannot do this & tithe what they can.

One thing I like about the Catholic Church is that tithing is not only considered by dollar amounts.

It is time, talent & treasure.

There are many ways to tithe and it is not always the almighty dollar.

 

[Michie]

I got a question from someone at work; she asked if she should be tithing.

so I said, "Yes, you should"

so she says "what if the pastor is using the money for personal things?"

I asked her "What Church do you belong to?"

she says "I belong to a few [denominations]"

(I didn't know how to answer that part?)

We did get on to this:

she says "if your mom is sick and you only have enough for tithing or to help your mom, which should I do?"

I said "Help your mom. It is the PERSON that is important..."

anyway...

is there anything about this that you can give me insight on?

It's very clear in Scripture that a situation like this should arise that parents come first.

Remember the teachers of the Law....

No question. Take care of Mom.

 

[Y_Cathol]

It's very clear in Scripture that a situation like this should arise that parents come first.

Remember the teachers of the Law....

No question. Take care of Mom.

Thanx

Shame... the poor girl asked a simple question and I landed up giving her a homily

 

[BillH]

The Catholic Church doesn't set out a specific requirement for how much financial support you must give. It asks us just to contribute in proportion to our ability to do so. If your friend is experiencing financial hardship due to an illness in the family, then she shouldn't feel obligated to contribute a lot.

 

[Y_Cathol]

Father Francois said this:

We encourage the support of the church but do not speak of tithing which means giving 10% of all your financial income. In some churches, in order to be considered a member, you have to produce your pay slip and then the pastor sets your monthly expected tithe. As long as you pay you're ok. If you don't, and a check on it is kept, like for planned giving systems in some catholic parishes, you get notified about being in arrears... and eventually after a few months of not contributing you may be asked to leave... I know of several persons to whom this happened... SOME churches operate tithing very strictly.
We leave it up to the faithful to decide what they can give and are happy with 2-3 % generally. They can use the rest of their 10% if they want to be biblical, for other works of charity... Also your "tithe" can be offered in many other ways... By being involved with St Vincent de Paul,... or the music ministry, or minister of the eucharist, etc... helping animate the youth group... And yes your family should never suffer because you are giving to external / church charities...
Certain pentecostal churches do promote the prosperity cult, that the more you give financially, the more God will bless you with material rewards... Catholics would be rather cynical about that... Jesus promised us a cross and suffering the more we follow him - not a merc and a mansion...
God bless

Francois

 

[geocajun]

Great answer from Father Francois

 

[Ravenchica]

Also, if one does not feel that their Church is puting their money to good use the could send it to other Christian/Catholic charity.

 

[Y_Cathol]

Thanx for the input everyone;

after I spoke to her, I decided to forward Father Francois' email to her... it explains it best I think