Most Catholics I know ignore the teaching on tithing a lot, making Christians of other denominations look at us with further disdain. Then again I come from the poorer segment of parishioners from a benighted corner of the third World. Who knows, God might have been a lot more pleased with us after all. Donations given out of love in spite of dire financial want have more merit, thank God. (Think about the parable of the poor widow.)
I admit to having difficulty in this area. Here's my personal background: I am the eldest in a family of seven kids. I am expected by society not only to take care of the younger ones, but also my parents. One writer observed this to be rather abnormal. That's an understatement for me. I've been barely out of my youth and yet I've felt how things conspire to make me feel like I am ten years older. There's nothing like domestic bills, for instance, to hasten the graying of one's hair, balding, wrinkles on the face. Taxes, rent, electric, water and phone bills. Food budget. Clothing allowance. Recreation. Recreation? Junk recreation. There are tuition fees and school supplies to contend with. Ladies and gentlemen - my personal 15 sorrowful mysteries. I think my name should have been John of the Cross and life for me is one deep, dark night of the soul.
Alright, I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the drift. I feel overqualified for tithing, that's the point. (Make that underqualified.)
The rule in tithing is of course the proverbial (deuterocanonical?) 10%. Ten percent of what? I would often ask myself incredulously. Since I get to have negative earnings, that's -10% of my negative net. I earn big, right? (Joke only.) Thankfully my community is understanding. You even have a choice if you're led by the Spirit to give the money to charity instead.
But no one is exempt from "first fruits". This simply means 10% of windfall profits - cash bonanzas and anything that falls from heaven like rain in the middle of summer. Understandably, this could translate to lots of instant money - which spells either blessing or trouble.
Malicious minds often accuse communities of milking their members dry for profit, but pray tell, how else can any organization function without money? I advice these people to read the Bible. This early, they should shudder at how they don't measure up in the area of tithing - in spite of their criticism.
What is money in the face of God's bounty anyway? Ten percent is not even enough. The Lord deserves everything (because he owns everything).
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