Tithing, Catholic Vs Protestant Malachi 3:10

In the Catholic view, Malachi 3:10 is interpreted as a call for generosity and support of the Church, not a strict requirement to tithe 10% of one’s income.

While the Church acknowledges the Old Testament practice of tithing, it emphasises that Christians are not bound to the same tithe obligation.

Instead, Catholics are encouraged to give according to their means and ability, focusing on supporting the Church’s mission and those in need.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Old Testament Context:

Malachi 3:10 originates from the Old Testament, where tithing (giving a tenth of one’s produce or income) was a practice commanded by God for the support of the Temple and its ministers.

Catholic Teaching:

The Catholic Church teaches that the Old Testament law of tithing does not bind Christians in the same way. However, the Church emphasises the importance of supporting the Church financially and materially, as well as through works of charity.

Giving According to Ability:

The Church encourages Catholics to give generously to support the Church’s mission, including the care of the poor and the spread of the Gospel. The specific amount given is not mandated, but rather left to the individual’s conscience and ability.

Emphasis on Generosity:

Catholic teaching highlights the importance of a generous and joyful spirit in giving, rather than a rigid adherence to a specific percentage.

Support for the Church:

The Church sees the support of its ministers and the carrying out of its mission as a responsibility of all Catholics, not just a select few.

The Catholic View

Catholic Church History and the Tithe

Fr. Peter Scott continued in his article by illustrating in the Church’s history how refusing to contribute to the support of the Church incurs two sins:

“In fact, the Church has declared that support is strictly owed in justice to the ministers of the Church, and that it is not pure alms that can be withdrawn at will. The contrary opinion was one of the errors of John Wycliffe condemned at the Council of Constance in 1415 (Dz. 598). This is indeed a part of the natural law, that requires that those who minister receive a commensurate remuneration. It is also according to the divine law, as taught by Our Lord, ‘for the workman is worthy of his meat’ (Mt. 10:10) and by St. Paul: ‘Know you not, that they who work in the holy place, eat the things that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar, partake with the altar. So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live by the gospel’ (I Cor. 9:13, 14).

“Thus it is that the Waldensian heretics had to recant the denial of this when being received back into the Church in 1208 by professing: ‘We believe that tithes and first fruits and oblations should be paid to the clergy, according to the Lord’s command.’ (Dz. 427). Consequently, those who refuse to contribute to the support of the Church and the clergy are guilty of two sins: they are guilty of injustice, by refusing the support that they owe, and they are guilty of a sin against religion by not contributing according to their means to the support of the Church.

“In many places during the Middle Ages, it became custom and particular law for the 10% figure to become obligatory, especially in the East. Bouscaren & Ellis, in their Canon Law: A Text and Commentary, have this to say: ‘(This) has long since become obsolete except in a few churches which have kept the ancient custom by reason of local statutes’ (p. 747). Consequently, the Church’s law gives no precision about the quantity of the donations that are to be given in support of the clergy. The current mind of the Church on the matter is reflected in canon 1502 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law: ‘Local statutes as well as laudable customs regarding tithes and first fruits are to be respected.’

In the Catholic Church, while a strict 10% tithe is not mandated, there is an obligation for Catholics to support the Church and its charitable works, according to their ability. This support can be financial or through other means, like volunteering. The principle is to give back to God a portion of what has been received, often guided by the practice of giving the “first fruits” of one’s income.

No Strict Obligation:

The Catholic Church does not enforce a mandatory 10% tithe like some other Christian denominations.

Obligation to Support:

Catholics are obligated to contribute to the material needs of the Church, including supporting clergy, parish expenses, and charitable activities.

Giving According to Ability:

The amount contributed should be determined by each individual’s financial capacity and circumstances.

“First Fruits”:

The concept of giving the “first fruits” is emphasized, meaning giving back to God a portion of one’s income or resources before other expenses.

Beyond Financial:

Support can also include volunteering time, talent, and resources to the Church and its ministries.

Diocesan Recommendations:

While not mandatory, many Catholic dioceses recommend contributing a certain percentage of income, such as 5% to the parish and 5% to other charities.

Personal Discernment:

Ultimately, the decision of how much to give is a matter of personal discernment and conscience, guided by faith and a desire to support the Church.

Although 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. Remember, tithing was an Old Testament obligation that was incumbent on the Jews under the Law of Moses. Christians are dispensed from the obligation of tithing ten percent of their incomes, but not from the obligation to help the Church.

The key to understanding 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 afford,” and in 2 Corinthians 9:5-8,

So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift [donation], so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction. Consider this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

To paraphrase: God doesn’t demand a fixed amount of money from us; he wants us to give from the heart. If people are forced by their church to give a certain percent of their income, that’s spiritual abuse / extortion. If they give freely and cheerfully the amount they are able, that’s a gift.

The Protestant View

Scripture

In Protestant traditions, tithing, or giving a tenth of one’s income to the church, is generally viewed as a biblical principle that is encouraged but not always mandated. While many Protestants believe tithing is a command from the Bible, the practice and interpretation of tithing vary among denominations and individuals.

Here’s a more detailed look: Beliefs about Tithing:

Biblical Basis:

Many Protestants believe tithing is rooted in the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 14:18-20, where Abraham tithes to Melchizedek) and is a way to honour God and support the church. And is still applicable today

Not Always Mandatory:

While many believe in the principle of tithing, most churches don’t strictly enforce it or make it a requirement for membership or participation in church activities. However many do preach that God ‘cant’ bless you if you do not tithe.

Focus on Heart:

Many emphasise giving should be done willingly and cheerfully, from the heart, rather than out of obligation or compulsion.

Varying Practices:

Some Protestants tithe 10% of their gross or net income, while others give a different percentage or choose to give to other charitable causes alongside or instead of direct church giving. It depends on the leadership of any particular Church or denomination and what they have mandated.

Practical Considerations:

Use of Tithes:

Money given through tithing is generally used to support the church’s operations, such as salaries, building maintenance, ministries, and outreach programs.

Alternative Giving:

Although generally not encouraged, some Protestants may choose to give to other charities or organisations that align with their values while still financially supporting their local church.

Personal Decision:

With the exception of modernists, the Word of Faith movement, Pentecostals, fundamentalists, and some others, ultimately, the decision of whether to tithe and how much to give is often left to the individual’s conscience and understanding of biblical principles.

In Summary:

Tithing is a common practice among Protestant Christians, rooted in their understanding of biblical principles. While many believe it is a commandment, it is not always strictly enforced, and the decision of whether and how to tithe is often a personal one, with a focus on giving with a willing and cheerful heart.

Catholics hold to the idea that The Bible encourages giving with a cheerful heart, as exemplified in 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states, “God loves a cheerful giver”. This verse emphasizes that the motivation behind giving is just as important as the act of giving itself. It’s not about giving out of obligation or reluctance, but rather with joy and a willing spirit.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Cheerful Giving is God’s Preference:The verse highlights that God appreciates and loves those who give with a joyful heart.
Not Out of Compulsion:Giving should not be done under pressure or out of a sense of duty, but rather as a free and willing act.
Sowing and Reaping:The passage also connects giving with the principle of sowing and reaping, suggesting that those who give generously may experience blessings in return.
Purposeful Giving:The text encourages individuals to decide in their hearts what they will give, implying that it should be a thoughtful and intentional act.