What is correct % to donate to Catholic Church?

Question

I've heard 10%, but I find it hard to believe a family surviving on $40000/year can afford to spend an extra $330/month. I've also heard "whatever you can afford".

Answer 1

10%

Pay God, Pay yourself, pay bills.

It is amazing how when you do that you always have enough money.

Answer 2

Tithing is not practiced by the Catholic Church. Tithing, in the traditional sense, is the "donation" of 10% of one's assets to the Church.

Now, if a specific percentage is going to be required of you, can it really be considered a "charitable donation"? Of course not.

One of the Great Virtues that the Church fosters is Charity. Charity is not fostered by tithing. Tithing would be more akin to "membership dues" rather than charity.

It's only charity if the giver can decide for him/herself what to give. You can give the Church as much or as little as you want. It'a all good because it's all charity.

Put it this way, "God loves a cheerful giver." Give to the Church what you can part with - cheerfully.

I cannot recall the exact location in the Bible but there is an account of many well-to-do Jewish men giving plenty of money to the temple. And then a little old, and very poor, woman gives what amounts to a few pennies. The rich scoff at her but are quickly scolded by Jesus when he remarks that she gave more than they did. The point is, give what you can and do obsess over the amount.

Answer 3

That depends on what you want to define 'correct' as. The Church would certainly like you to believe 'whatever you can afford, ideally 10%.' This is also the institution, however, that told people "when the coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs," ie, your dead loved ones won't go to heaven unless you give us money. I've also heard them say God "instructs" you to donate 10% of your income to the Church. Well, the church didn't exist in the New Testament, at least not in the time of Jesus, so I'd love to know where the memo from God came in.

Better idea: If you want to promote good works, find a charity.

Answer 4

We are called to donate 10% total, we give 8% to the Church and 2% to other charities.

When we were younger we gave a smaller percentage, but did extra work, (teaching classes, helping with Alter society etc.)

Look at you overall spending, see how many times you eat out, what you spend on cable, and other "Extras" We found we were able to give more to the Church and still Save more at the same time, by getting rid of that high car payment, extra car payment, eating out, etc.

It is about making choices, we ended up happier in the end, and better off financially. We have been richly blessed.

Good Luck and God Bless.

P.S. Spend some time in Prayer about it and talk to your spouse.

Answer 5

the correct answer is 10%. It can be to your church, its diocese, and other charities, via income or time.

However the Catholic church isn't Robert Tilton, Pat Robertson variety where we say "pressed down, shaken together, and all will be given to you" tithing. The Church anticipates that you give what you can afford. I promise you won't go broke.

Think of it as what it is, God has provided you a family, a home and a job. He expects you to spend at least one hour with Him a day in prayer, thankgiving and 10% your income (or time) of the blessings he's bestowed upon you. These are graces that He has lovingly shared. Don't snub Him. It may be a bit of a sacrifice...but wasn't His sacrifice worthy of a mere few bucks to support His ministry, either via income or time? Of course!

All money is tax deductible. You get it 'back' at end of year....

Do it.

If the financial aspect isn't something that you can do, do what you can--but truly consider the donation of your time. That does not necessarily equate to working at the church. It is given freely to your elderly neighbor who needs help taking down the storm windows, or installing a window unit for him/her. Or mowing your neighbors lawn after you do yours. But something that is showing charity. Make it a family affair. The 'catch' to that; it do it with cheer and humility and thankfulness to God and of course expect nothing back. ;)

Many blessings to you!

Answer 6

The correct answer is 10 percent, they want you to tithe what you can afford and a bit of what you can't. The theory is everythign flows from God, so you are giving back to him. Also, giving from an easy place is not enough, you have to give from a place that's a bit hard. That being said, they don't want you to go bankrupt, so whatever you can afford is acceptable. I guess just think, could you cut out a three dollar a day coffee habit and give it to the church instead? Also, they want time and talent, so it;s a tall order.

Answer 7

What you tithe to the Church is between you and God. Some churches insist on 10% because a tithe of 10% is mentioned in Scripture. the Catholic Church does not. However, I would ask you one question - do you mean "can afford to spend", or do you mean "can afford to spend without making some sacrifices"? Sacrifice is the essence of tithing after all.

Answer 8

The Catholic Church does not teach giving 10% to the Church. Tithing is the part of the Mosaic Law that covers temple worship.

Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses.

Christians are not held to the ceremonial parts of the Mosaic Law concerning of dietary purity and temple worship.

Christians are held to the moral law of God, some of which is expressed in the Ten Commandments.

However Jesus took the Ten Commandments to the next step summarizing them into the two Great Commandments:
+ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
+ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

And teaching things like
+ Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
+ Everyone is our neighbor including our enemies.

Therefore we have to go much farther than the original recipients of the Ten Commandments ever dreamed.

Catholics need to examine thier personal finances, determine what part of their God-given time, talent, and treasure they can freely choose to give back.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

What a joke. The catholic church is one of the richest organizations in the world. The Pope lives in a Palace, use gold utensils, the finest china, and wears $500 dollar Prada shoes. Yet they are closing church's left and right in the USA. The catholic church is a joke. How can anyone donate any money to that church??

Answer 10

10%

5% to your Church, 1% Diocese, 4% other charities. The more you give the more you get back

Answer 11

You'd be surprised how well you can survive, even though you give 10% to the church.

That being said, if you were to give that much, but were begrudging in your giving, God wouldn't be honored, or pleased by it, and would prefer you kept it.

Here's the New Testament rule for giving: "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9:7)