Giving and tithing
How much is a Catholic supposed to give?
The fourth precept (“You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.") completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints. Cf. CIC, can. 1246; CCEO — Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches), cann. 881 # 1, # 4; 880 # 3. The fifth precept (“You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts; they help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart. Cf. CIC, cann. 1249-1251; CCEO — Codex Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches), can. 882. The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities. Cf. CIC, can. 222.
The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Cf. Isa 58:6-7; Heb 13:3. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. the corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Cf. Mt 25:31-46. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God: Cf. Tob 4:5-11; Sir 17:22; Mt 6:2-4.
He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. Lk 3:11. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. Lk 11:41. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? Jas 2:15-16; cf. 1 Jn 3:17.
§1. The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for the works of the apostolate and of charity, and for the decent support of ministers.
§2. They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.
The Church has an innate right to require from the Christian faithful those things which are necessary for the purposes proper to it.
§1. The Christian faithful are free to give temporal goods for the benefit of the Church.
§2. The diocesan bishop is bound to admonish the faithful of the obligation mentioned in can. 222, §1 and in an appropriate manner to urge its observance.
The faithful are to give support to the Church by responding to appeals and according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops.