Principles of Catholic Tithing

 

The Church teaches that our tithes and offerings should be a sacrifice for us. This does not mean 10%, but whatever amount that is a sacrifice.

The six principles of Sacrificial giving are:

1. Voluntary: our giving should not be an assessment nor a tax (which is what the Old Testament tithes became).
   
   
2. Proportionate: like the widow Jesus praised, though she gave little (Luke 21:2).

• The Old Testament "tithe" was literally ten percent (of gross income), plus other required giving that added up to thirty-three percent: these percentages may be too much for some and not enough for others.
• Porportionate giving includes income from paychecks, dividends, social security payments, allowances, windfalls, etc.
  



3. Systematic (planned):

   • Part of the budget
   • As income is received (not "when somebody needs it")

   
   
4. Sacrificial:

   • "Making Holy" (the literal meaning of "sacrifice") the earnings and efforts of the week.
   • If it doesn't hurt (require a sacrifice), it's only a donation, or a contribution, not sacrificial giving, which is a measure of one's trust in God.

   
   

5. Liturgical: the bringing forth of the gifts and the offering of money are both part of the same ritual act.

   • Collections at other times and donations in other ways lack this Eucharistic context and does not "consecrate" hours worked and income received.
   • Using envelopes gives witness to commitment.

   
   
6. Giving (usually divided):

   • Half is given weekly by way of the local parish collection.
   • Half is set aside for independent giving (mission appeals, diocesan collections, personal favorite charities, etc.)