Is Tithing wrong?

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), October 26, 2003

Answers

THE ROCK ~ THE 2000 YEAR OLD MOST HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS :

Although Tithing, giving 10 percent of your income to the parish is mentioned in the Bible (Leviticus 27:30-34), it is not mandatory in the Catholic Church. Most Catholics are encouraged to donate at least 5 percent of their income to the parish and 5 percent to their favorite charities.

But those who cannot give much financial support can and often do donate an abundance of volunteer time to the parish by holding fundraisers and supporting other parish events and projects. Volunteers sometimes teach religious education programs for children, also known as Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) classes and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) classes (convert classes for adults). Catholic children who can't attend a Catholic school learn about the Catholic faith through CCD classes, and non- Catholics who are interested in the Catholic faith attend RCIA classes, usually at a local parish. And those volunteers who are too old or infirm support the parish with prayers. Giving of one's time and talent as well as giving of your treasure (financial contributions) are ways that Catholic Christians support their church, from the parish to the diocese.

In the eyes of the Catholic Church, nobody goes to Heaven merely by earning their way through obedience, because salvation is a free gift from God, but following the laws of God (Divine and Natural Laws) and the Laws of his Catholic Church help a person be a better Person, a better Christian, and a better Catholic. These rules and regulations help promote holiness just as following your doctor's advice and prescriptions help promote good health. ~ Father Trigilio

-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), October 27, 2003.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

There is NO mention of tithing in the New Testament.

-- Kevin Walker (kevinlwalker572@cs.com), October 28, 2003.

The Catholic Church used to tithe. My cathechism says so in 1974 when I did my first communion. It was a sin.

Now the Church doesn't.

Kevin is right, there is no tithing in the New Testament. What Acts does is that it states that disciples should help those in need. Collections were also held, even by Paul, when he took money for those suffering from famine during the days of Claudius(47-48 AD).

Tithing =10% I think is not necessary, David O. I do believe that since as Numbers states that priests should give 1% of their money to God, then, a Christian should't give more than 5% to the Church. Let him give that 5% to those he knows are in need, like James says.

I know Abraham has been used as a model for tithing when he gave 10% to Melchizedeq. Yet, that wasn't something Abraham earned justly. It was the spoils of War when he fought Chedorlaomer. There is no mention of Abraham gving of his own cattle or plants 10% to Melchizedeq or anyone else.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), October 28, 2003.