With our readings this week focusing on two widows giving to provide for the need of a prophet (or the temple), it naturally raises questions about the practice of tithing. Are Catholics obliged to tithe? If so, how much? And, how should we think about tithing?

Although tithing is traditionally understood to give 10% of your gross income (5% percent to your local parish, and 5% to charitable causes) the Church does not specify how much –or what percentage – a person should give to the Church.

The Code of Canon Law (which governs the Church) says the following:

The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for the works of the apostolate and of charity, and for the decent support of ministers. (Canon Law 222)

So, to put it more simply, one of the precepts of the Church is that Catholics are to help provide for the needs of the Church. As far as how much? Well, that is a discernment of each individual and family.

To the question of why, let’s look at 2 Corinthians 9:5-8:

So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift [donation], so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction. Consider this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

Paul is saying that the tithe/gift/donation cannot be exacted from a person, or then it would cease to be a gift! But attached to tithing is a promise from God—that He is not outdone in generosity and that those “who sow bountifully will reap bountifully”. Thus, tithing is an act of worship, of sacrifice, of love and trust. It takes faith to tithe. To believe that God will take care us even when we give to the Church and the needy.

Lastly, the Lord “loves a cheerful giver.” Are we generous people? In how we give our time, talent, and treasure in serving and loving the Church and others? That is the ultimate question that the question of tithing should make us address.

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