“Ikapu”: All about Tithing

This is an article I wrote for The Feast's weekly Bulletin a few months back. Seeing as we Catholics are in the season of Lent, and we are asked to share in our Lord Jesus Christ's work especially in this time, I thought that it would be an appropriate time to share a few thoughts on tithing. 

From benjaminconway.net

An officer who works with Caritas Manila once said, “Tithing is an act of faith. You tithe because you trust not your own ability to provide for your own needs, but on His generosity and provision.”

Tithing is an old Hebrew tradition in which one-tenth of an individual’s income is offered as contribution to a religious organization. The concept appears in the Bible as early as the book of Genesis, in separate instances where Abraham and Jacob offered tithes to the Lord (Genesis 14:18–20, Genesis 28:12–22). Abraham, after rescuing Lot and winning battles, met with Melchizedek—God’s High Priest and offered a tenth of all that he gained from his victories. An even earlier Biblical passage tells of the brothers Abel and Cain offering fruits of their labor. In Genesis 4:1-16, Abel brought portions of the fat of the animals he shepherds to God, while Cain offered some of the fruits of his harvest.

Today, tithe comes in the form of cash, checks and gifts in kind, among others. They are meant to be used for the upkeep of churches and religious institutions and to fund outreach and service to less-privileged members of a community. (Source: Wikipedia) While Hebrew tradition prescribes a ten-percent minimum, the Catholic Church is silent on how much an individual should tithe. Instead, each person is asked to offer what they can to help the Church. (Source: Catholic Answers) The New Testament, particularly in the book of Corinthians, asks that we give with a free heart, cheerfully. (1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 9:7) The Church’s Canon Law states that people should support their local community churches and “promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.” (Source: AskACatholic)

Indeed, the importance of a tithe nowadays is not only measured in its financial value or the impact of the apostolic works that it supports, but also on how it helps shapes a person’s relationship with money and other material possessions. Offering part of his or her income helps a person avoid inordinate attachment to possessions. At the same time, tithing—as the Caritas Manila officer said—is an active exercise of faith, of believing in the Lord’s promise of provisions. It is recognition that a person’s income is not the result of his or her work alone, but made possible through the grace of God. The giving forms the giver in virtue.

However, it is pragmatic to note that Christians still have a hard time to start tithing. Those who wish to start can this simple, five-step method: pray, start giving small and building over time, don’t wait for more money, start a budget and automate the tithing where possible, and join a support group of other individuals who want to continue offering to the Lord. (Source: Mere Disciple) Some easy ways to tithe is by giving to the The Feast or in our regular Sunday mass and by donating to Caritas Manila (cm@caritasmanila.org.ph) or non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity (www.give2habitat.org) or the Tuloyan sa Don Bosco (www.tuloyfoundation.online).

In conclusion, it is important to remember that the heart of tithing is stewardship. (Source: Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish and School) That is, Christians are called to care for and enrich all that God has blessed us with—be it time, talent or treasure—and to use a portion of it to take part in building His kingdom on earth.