Tithing

anilorak13ska · #1 Jun 23, '11, 8:19 am

I am new to the idea of tithing. In the past, I have noticed that when I am generous with my money (and I use "my" loosely here, as I realize now that I would have nothing if the Lord didn't first give it to me), I see a return that truly blesses me. But I am confused about the details of tithing. The OT says to tithe 10% - is this still binding? Also, I don't feel right about giving my entire tithe to the church, bc there are many things I see that the church could do without (the luxuries of marble, elaborate flower arrangements, etc). I believe that God wants our tithe to go to building up His kingdom, as in helping His children - the poor and needy. I know that *some* of the money from Mass collections goes to help the community, but certainly not the majority. So could anyone point me to where in Scripture it says (or does it?) where the tithe should go specifically? Or what is the Catechism's stance on this?

vsedriver · #2 Jun 23, '11, 8:38 am

I don't believe there is a specific breakdown for where your donation goes as far as scripture or the catechism goes. However many churches have a collection envelope system which includes special donations. There is nothing wrong with marble or decorating with flowers. It shows honor to God. When the woman washes Jesus' feet with expensive oil Judas protests that it should have been sold to provide for the poor. But Jesus says she does him honor.

You may think all your collection money goes to support the buildings and staff of your Parish and yes, a lot does but much goes to parish supported ministries which include caring for the poor.

The Lord does bless us when we give. Jesus specifically said it is better to give from your want than from your surplus. This supercedes the OT 10% since for some 10% is not a hardship.

Mark David · #3 Jun 23, '11, 9:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsedriver

The Lord does bless us when we give. Jesus specifically said it is better to give from your want than from your surplus. This supercedes the OT 10% since for some 10% is not a hardship.

Yes, we should want to give - rather than merely feel obliged.

I have a question, though: the tithing bags come out twice during Mass on Sunday at the Cathedral I frequent - usually a different colored bag from one another. Does anyone know what this might be about? Since I haven't asked anyone, I've started splitting my tithe for both bags, to be on the safe side.

Spencerian · #4 Jun 23, '11, 9:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by anilorak13ska

I am new to the idea of tithing. In the past, I have noticed that when I am generous with my money (and I use "my" loosely here, as I realize now that I would have nothing if the Lord didn't first give it to me), I see a return that truly blesses me. But I am confused about the details of tithing. The OT says to tithe 10% - is this still binding? Also, I don't feel right about giving my entire tithe to the church, bc there are many things I see that the church could do without (the luxuries of marble, elaborate flower arrangements, etc). I believe that God wants our tithe to go to building up His kingdom, as in helping His children - the poor and needy. I know that *some* of the money from Mass collections goes to help the community, but certainly not the majority. So could anyone point me to where in Scripture it says (or does it?) where the tithe should go specifically? Or what is the Catechism's stance on this?

The Old Testament is the Covenant of the Old. Christians aren't Jews. Therefore the 10% requirement isn't held by Catholics.

That doesn't mean we aren't obliged to give to our Church (for Christ fulfilled the Law, not abolished it). The Catechism (2042-2043) tells us that we are obliged to help with the material needs of the Church in so far that we are able, although it does not specify a monetary amount.

Giving here can also mean your time and work in active parish ministries such as RCIA every Thursday and other volunteer work, although such work doesn't necessarily exclude you from forking over some cash in the collection plate.

anilorak13ska · #5 Jun 24, '11, 3:20 pm

Well, I want to give, I've been giving, but I'm not sure that it's what's expected of me, so I just wanted to see if there were more detailed instructions I should take into consideration.

No, there's nothing wrong with marble, and our richer brothers and sisters in Christ are welcome to honor God by beautifying His temple with material things. But those of us who live paycheck to paycheck aren't impressed with material things, and I'm pretty sure neither is God. So that's why I want to know that if I'm giving where it hurts, it's not to impress those who can't lift their minds and hearts to God without these superficial things.

I wonder why there is a discrepency between the Catholic take on tithing and the Protestant take. I brought up this topic bc I've heard it in Protestant Christian circles lately, and it's made me wonder. I also read a very thought-provoking book called the 11th Commandment where the author points out that he builds up God's kingdom by being financially (and otherwise) involved with various charitable organizations or day to day with those he sees in need. I just think that giving X to the church is a bit of a cop out (for someone like me, anyway), where I'd just hope the church divies it up for those in need, and then I don't have to worry about noticing those in need myself, bc "I've done my part". So that's why I was wondering if there'd be a standard protocol of some sort. But it sounds like it's a matter of personal discernment, so thanks for the feedback.

valentino · #6 Jun 24, '11, 8:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by anilorak13ska

I am new to the idea of tithing. In the past, I have noticed that when I am generous with my money (and I use "my" loosely here, as I realize now that I would have nothing if the Lord didn't first give it to me), I see a return that truly blesses me. But I am confused about the details of tithing. The OT says to tithe 10% - is this still binding? Also, I don't feel right about giving my entire tithe to the church, bc there are many things I see that the church could do without (the luxuries of marble, elaborate flower arrangements, etc). I believe that God wants our tithe to go to building up His kingdom, as in helping His children - the poor and needy. I know that *some* of the money from Mass collections goes to help the community, but certainly not the majority. So could anyone point me to where in Scripture it says (or does it?) where the tithe should go specifically? Or what is the Catechism's stance on this?

You don't believe that God's altar should be adorned?that Jesus comes down to earth and gives us Himself is nothing to be celebrated?If Jesus appeared to you wouldn't you want to present Him with a bouquet of roses?Remember Jesus saying to the woman who washed His feet in oil that it was a very good thing and that you will always have the poor with you?You don't think He's building up His kingdom everytime a believer or non believer steps into the Church?That people are becoming more devoted to Him?Do you think it would be better if we worshipped God in a nice barn rather than a beautiful church?Do you know that Catholic Charities donates more money to the poor than any other christian association or charity/

Viki63 · #7 Jul 3, '11, 1:49 pm

Our priest usually recommends giving 5% to the church and 5% to other charities of our choice.
The marble and statues in the church are paid for in the past by our predecessors, the flowers are always donated. Our church is struggling just to pay health care costs for its few employees; they had to close the church office one day a week recently due to lack of money for paychecks.
Our parish is a poor one, although we have a beautiful old church, and the priest recently mentioned that the bathrooms aren't working well and need fixing.
I believe that the money I give to my parish is allocated to the poor and those really in need. The Catholic church, as mentioned above, is the biggest charity in the world, and they do it with a small percentage of the contributions that Protestants often give. Imagine what the church could do if all Catholics gave 10 or even 5%?

anilorak13ska · #8 Jul 4, '11, 10:37 am

Viki63, thanks, that sounds like a good idea. In the past I've noticed that there are usually special collections for special outreach ministries, which leads me to believe that the weekly collection goes towards church maintenance. I don't have a problem with that, since if I want to benefit from the church, I should try to help maintain it. But I look at how I budget and spend my money, to make sure what little is coming in covers everything, and I look at how a church parish (obviously not all) often bites off more than they can chew, indebting itself and then making the parishoners feel obliged to cover the expenses, and that's what bothers me. Obviously, things should be in working order. Damage needs to be fixed. Staff need to be paid. But for instance, in Poland, where I'm originally from, where the majority of the people do not drive cars, and since public transportation is extensive, affordable, and easily accesible, why, pray tell, would a parish priest be driving a new car? It's little things like that that make me question where the money from the collection plate is really going. He doesn't need a car, and if most of the parishoners have to go without one, yet feel obliged to give to the church only so that he could drive a car, something about Jesus's mission got lost there in translation, kwim?

I do not deny the fact that the Catholic Church is massively involved with worldwide charitable efforts. I know that my attitude is coming off quite suspicious, but that's why I started this thread - to learn where the money is going, where it should be going, how much of it should be going where, etc. I don't understand why some have felt the need to get defensive, as this does nothing to enlighten me or motivate me to give.

Perhaps it would help if I noted that I have sponsored children overseas for many years, or that I regularly donate to our local homelessness prevention center, or that whenever disaster strikes, I make sure we gather a donation for the cause. We've had several people live in our home for free for extended periods of time when times were tough. We've been foster parents. We do try to give back with what we've got. So to insinuate that because I think my money could be better used upgrading the marble at the altar is insulting. The whole world is God's altar. I have no problem with beautiful cathedrals, and I do appreciate their attempts at raising people's hearts and minds to God. If people who are better off than me want to build up God's kingdom that way, I have no problem with it. But I have had more moving encounters with God in the simplicity of nature than in marvelous cathedrals. Yes, Jesus approved of the oil to be used on his own body, but that was because His physical presence on Earth was so unique, so limited. Now He is no longer bound by the confines of time and space. Now His Spirit dwells wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name. Now, we can see His face in the needy... and that's where I would like my efforts to go.

Perhaps, then, I have answered my own question.