Tithing

mica178

I'm curious about people's opinion of tithing.  I was not raised to tithe, but FI was, so since we became serious, I have been gradually increasing my donations both to the church and to other charities to get closer to that 10%.  My parents think that we're crazy for donating so much, and I was just looking over my church's financials in the weekly bulletin, and it is clear that most parishioners do not tithe.

I know that there's more than one way to tithe.  If not in monetary gifts, then at least in actions and deeds.  But what are your thoughts?  I've heard some argue that Christians are not bound by the laws of the OT, but I'm met non-Catholic Christians that still follow the 10% rule.

GulfCoaster

I didn't answer your poll because I felt like my answer took more than a few words. 

I was raised in an evangelical Protestant church that took tithing very seriously -- and yes, we really did do 10 percent.  There was some debate among the congregation about whether it should be 10% of gross income, or 10% of net income... but everyone was pretty much in agreement that it should be at least 10%.  We also donated our time regularly.

My DH was raised Catholic and his family didn't have a lot of money when he was young, and volunteered quite a lot for the parish in addition to their small financial donations (e.g., his mom volunteered 15 hours/week to run the parish food pantry). 

Now that we are married, we are working toward the goal of donating 10 percent of our income to our parish and to various charities.  I don't think that 10 percent is required, but I do think it's a good idea that we should all work toward. 

Calypso1977

we put $20 in the basket every time we go...but we dont go every week.  we were very generous when we got married, and give extra when we can.  we should probably give more, but we're more consumed with building savings for when/if we have a kid.  maybe that's selfish, but i feel if we're self sufficient, we wont have to rely on the church for financial assistance if we do have a kid, thus freeing up money for others truly in need.

[Deleted User]

We donate when we can. I don't believe in not putting your family and its needs first. Lately things have been tight for us and we are trying desperately to save for a house and our future. H and I do donate a lot of time and talent to the church, which I look at as money. I work at the church and only get paid minimum wage bc it is ministry. I never leave on time (I am a teacher) and always go in an hour before school starts to prepare, etc. H and I are also involved with the LifeTeen program and we participate in activities with them. I also work in the Nursery for various activities and ministries.

Theresa626

I put other.  My answer is No, I don't donate.  I donate on a regular basis to a local homeless shelter and other charities for the homeless but I don't donate to the church.  Don't be offended but I feel like the homeless people need it more than the church.  

GulfCoaster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_tithing-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:45a8bd88-f066-4f34-aae1-381ef7894565Post:34da178b-388f-4091-8ad0-11c129b6fde4">Re: Tithing</a>:
[QUOTE]I put other.  My answer is No, I don't donate.  I donate on a regular basis to a local homeless shelter and other charities for the homeless but I don't donate to the church.  Don't be offended but I feel like the homeless people need it more than the church.  
Posted by Theresa626[/QUOTE]

I'm not offended by that -- surely homeless people need help, and it's a worthy cause.  It's even one of the seven corporal works of mercy to provide shelter for the homeless. 

I guess I don't know why it always has to be an either-or choice, though.  Worldwide, the Catholic Church is one of the largest providers of humanitarian services.  Even if your individual parish doesn't (which would be sad), there are parishes and church-sponsored organizations out there that do humanitarian work.  That doesn't mean you need to give only to those organizations -- I just don't think it always has to be a stark choice between giving money to the church and giving money to aid the homeless.

I look at it this way -- we give some of our money to help accomplish corporal acts of mercy (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, etc.), and we give some of our money to help our parish and diocese accomplish spiritual acts of mercy (instruction, counsel, admonishment of sinners, prayer, etc.)  And some of our money goes to the same organization to accomplish both kinds of works of mercy, like the money we give to our parish's "sister parish" in Africa, which runs a church, school, orphanage, AIDS hospice, medical clinic, etc.

agapecarrie

The church needs to keep lights on..so they can have mass, and sinners can convert, so that instead of one person giving to the homeless, you have a whole church full of people doing works of mercy.

[Deleted User]

Hello ladies, I pray that this reaches you all well. I donate to the church every week during Mass. It is never enough monetarily wise but I always try and give something.
I also donate a lot of my time and talents to the church. I feel that because I do not have the financial means to donate my time is just as precious. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24In Christ, Myst2211

catarntina

We can't afford to tithe 10%, but we give what we can. Usually $10-$20 a week.  We also donate to the red cross sometimes too, or other charities.  But it doesn't come to 10%.

My church puts on a lot of 'free' programs to help parishioners, so I like knowing I'm contributing to that.  For instance, all our pre-cana was free.  We received a lot of reading documention, they brought in a lot of guest speakers (couples to share their experiences), etc.  I know that cost a lot of their time and money so I'm glad to give back what I can.

I think maybe as we get further along in our careers and get raises/promotions, we'll be able to give 10%.

ootmother2

I grew up in a parish where the pastor was very anti tithing.  No envelopes were ever distributed although a plate was passed by rows at Sunday masses.

The pastor said that as long as everyone gave what they told the IRS they gave,  he was happy

I have never uised envelopes although the church I usually attend does have them.  The pastor told me to use them or not use them, that was uip to me.

I always put $20 in the Sunday collection and a couple dollars to the "Energy Fund" that is to heat and air condition the church.

Sometimes I go down to St. Patricks (if I have a guest in town that's fun) and I give $20 then as well.

I do cook for the local homeless shelter and give clothes, blankets, etc. whenever I do a spring or fall housecleaning.  I'll buy food for the homeless who are begging on the streets, never cash.

sveva

I donate what I can as well. When I had a good, fulltime job I donated more. But I've been unemployed for a while and put only a few dollars in each week. I hope to increase it now that I just got hired at a new job. I only know a few people who tithe.

JadziaDax

Thanks for asking this question. I actually came over to this board to post the same thing so i'm glad I actually scrolled down the page first!

I donate money but it's not near 10% of my pay. I usually donate if my friends are participating in a walk or fundraising. I also donate to the Red Cross by using my debit card thank you points- although I don't know if I should count that 'cause it's free money lol...
If my friends or family are in need of money, I usually offer a "loan" but tend not to take the money back.
I don't think it's right to live your life hovering over money and not helping those in need, but at the same time I find it difficult to make a commitment to donate at least 10% monthly.

meganb1977

Somebody who talked about tithing once when I was in high school had a good suggestion that part of your tithe should go to the church and the other part should go to other good causes that you believe in.  And definitely if you don't have a lot of money, time counts just as much (sometimes even more I think!)

dwest2201

We give a small amount to the church regularly, not 10% though... we spend a pretty penny each year at the parish festival as well.  Both FI and I give to MANY other charities throughout the year as well as volunteer for things at the church and outside of the church.  We give what we can when we can and I feel good about what we do give... that is what is important (IMO) if you feel quilty about not giving enough (whether money or time) then you should probably give more.