Every Christian can contribute financially "what he has decided in his heart and not reluctantly or by force, because God loves a cheerful giver".
2 Corinthians 9:7
The word tithe comes from the Latin decimus and is linked to a tenth, the tenth part of something. The concept was used to refer to the 10% fee to be paid to a king, a ruler or a leader. Those who were to make the payment gave a tenth of their earnings or income to the creditor. It was a common ancient practice among the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans and among the Hebrews.
The meaning of tithe in the bible is the tenth part of all the acquired fruits, which should be given to God as recognition of his supreme dominion. Cf. Leviticus 27:30-33.. The tithe is offered to God, but is transferred to his ministers. Cf. Num 28:21.
The tithe and offering should be understood today according to the Christian spirit of a heartfelt gift of love to help the Church and the most disadvantaged. in their needs.
"The generosity of the little things widens the heart, beware of consumerism".. In his homily at morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta on November 26, 2018, Pope Francis urged us to ask ourselves how we can be more generous to the poor, the current tithe is in "the little things." And he warned that the enemy of generosity is consumerism, spending more than we need to spend.
The Old Testament speaks of the willingness of heart to titheaccording to the phrase "let each one give as he has decided in his heart, not giving with sorrow but with joy.". The meaning of the tithe in the bible appears for the first time when Abram, gives it to the priest Melchizedek in a token of gratitude (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:4). Eventually, it was instructed for all the Levite priests and even established as an obligation or law.
Then Jacob gives the tithe of all his possessions to the Lord. "And this stone, which I have set up for a sign, shall be God's house; and of all that thou shalt give me, I will set apart for thee the tithe." (Genesis 28:22)
Subsequently the Bible explains how each year, the Israelites set aside a tenth of what their land produced (Leviticus 27:30). If they decided to pay with money, then they had to add 20 % to its value (Leviticus 27:31). They also had to give "tenths of the cattle and herd" (Leviticus 27:32).
To calculate the tithe of their livestock, the Israelites chose every tenth animal that came out of their pen. The Law said that they could not examine whether that animal was good or bad, nor exchange it for another. Furthermore, they could not pay that tithe with money (Leviticus 27:32, 33).
But the second tithe, the one used for the annual feasts, could be paid with money. This was very practical for the Israelites who came from far away to attend the feasts (Deuteronomy 14:25, 26). The Israelite families used these offerings in their special feasts. And there were specific years when these offerings were used to help the very poor people. (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12.)
Paying tithe was a moral obligation, the Mosaic law did not establish any punishment for those who did not comply with the law.. The Israelites had to declare before God that they had complied and then ask him to bless them for having done so (Deuteronomy 26:12-15).
In Jesus' day, tithes were still paid. But, when he died on the cross, this was no longer a requirement. Jesus does not reject it, but teaches a new reference: to give no longer the 10% but to give oneself totally as master.r, not counting the cost. Therefore, he condemned the religious leaders because they were very strict in collecting the tithe and at the same time, neglected "the most important matters of the Law: justice, mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23).
Jesus' death annulled the Mosaic Law, including "the command to collect the tithe from the people" (Hebrews 7:5, 18; Ephesians 2:13-15; Colossians 2:13, 14). In none of the four times that the tithe appears in the New Testament are we taught to be guided by that measure. It is no longer limited to the law of 10% but refers us to the example of Jesus Christ who gave himself without reservation. Jesus lives a radical surrender and teaches us that we should do the same. That is why he transmitted to us the concept and the importance of the Works of mercy: spiritual and corporal.
The Heart of Jesus is the model of total self-giving. He gave himself to death on Calvary. Jesus gives us His grace to know how to give and to give as He gave Himself.. Everything belongs to God and we are stewards of our resources according to God's will. Holy Spirit which enlightens our conscience. St. Paul teaches and lives the same self-giving, "For you know the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor so that you might be enriched by his poverty." (II Corinthians 8,9)
The Pope gives a catechesis on the Jubilee, tithing and the condemnation of usury. At the general audience of the Ash Wednesday of the year 2016.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions the tithe only once, in reference to the Christian's responsibility towards the poor, already founded in the Old Testament. The fifth commandment, "to help the Church in her needs", states that the faithful are obliged to help, each according to his ability, the material needs of the Church. (cf. CCC can. 222).
There is much confusion among the population about the sources of financing of the Catholic Church in Spain. The Catholic Church receives from the Spanish State, 0.7% of the taxes of those who freely check the corresponding box in the personal income tax declaration. This has been the case since the modification of the tax allocation system was signed in December 2006. And it can be considered a way of contributing a tithe or offering to the Church today.
In addition to the State's contribution via personal income tax, the Church is supported by the contributions and offerings of its faithful through other means:
Marking the Church box on the income tax return does not imply any cost for the citizen. You will not get back less or pay more. But it is a great help for thousands of people who need it. A small gesture for a great work. In the CARF Reflection Days that we organize with different online collaborators. Silvia Meseguer explains how religion is financed in Spain and we also discuss with experts other topics of current interest that you can revisit in the Archive of Encounters.
With the collaboration of:
Catholicism of the Catholic Church
infocatolica.com
Opusdei.org
