How Much Should I Be Giving?

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

In this passage, St Paul is writing about a special collection he was gathering from his Gentile churches for the Christians of Jerusalem who were in dire need, but the principles of sowing and reaping, cheerfulness in giving, and abounding in good works of almsgiving are fundamental to the Christian attitude about money. Even the Desert Fathers who had abandoned the world for a life of asceticism were encouraged to do enough manual labor to feed themselves and to have something left over to give to the poor.

The Old Testament principle of giving one-tenth (a tithe) of one’s income to support the Temple and its ministers were adopted by later Christians as a reasonable guide and measure for their own support of the work of the Church. Not everyone may be able to afford that much, others can afford much more, but a tithe is a good rule of thumb for most of us. 

If 10% sounds daunting, you can start with a lower percentage, according to the measure of your faith in God’s faithfulness to support you in your needs and in your generosity. As God proves himself faithful to you, you will be ready to increase the percentage you set aside.  Whatever amount you decide upon, give half to your parish and half to the poor or other ministries that serve the poor. Whatever amount you decide upon, give it consistently and joyfully, knowing that God will work with you and through you to bless the Church and those around you who are in need. -Fr Joel