Question
I was born and raised in the Mormon Church, went on a mission, and did everything a good Mormon should do, which includes tithing. Since my wife and I changed to Catholic Church we still have doubts that we should be tithing to our parish, except that it’s much difficult to do so now that we have several children. The Mormon Church taught me that tithing is compulsory. What’s the Catholic Church’s perception?
Answer
In as much as the Church teaches that offering some form of material support to the Church is obligatory for all Catholic adults who are able to do so, it doesn’t specify what percent of one’s income should be given. Recall that tithing was an Old Testament obligation that was incumbent on the Jews under the Law of Moses. Christians are dispensed from the duty of tithing ten percent of their incomes, but not from the obligation to help the Church.
The key to comprehending how God wants us to give to the Church is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of the week, sunday each of you should set aside whatever he can offer,” and in 2 Corinthians 9:5-8.
