FAMILY MATTERS

We're one of those families who give less than 1% of our income to the Church and other charities. We've read what you have to say about tithing and really would like to give more. How do you get started when you're barely making ends meet as it is?

You're about to embark on a great adventure! Tithing has a way of changing our perspective on money matters in a way few other things can.

In Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, he provides instruction regarding how the people of Corinth should implement a collection for the needs of the Church. We can learn from these passages.

“And in this matter I give my advice: It is best for you now to complete what a year ago you began not only to do but to desire, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have,” he writes in 2 Corinthians 8:10-12. “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what to what he has not.”

Contrast this with 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, where he says, “The point is this: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.”

You can see how Paul provides a balance between prudence and generosity. There is no one right answer for all situations. But, generally speaking, I would encourage you to take a two-pronged approach.

On the one hand, increase your charitable giving by an amount that “stretches” you today. This may mean increasing your giving from 1% of your income to 3% immediately. You'll want to keep a full tithe as a goal to be achieved in the near future (one to two years isn't an unreasonable time frame).

On the other hand, you should combine your increase in giving with a basic review of your spending habits.

Take a hard look at your budget for expenses that can be reduced or eliminated. This review may show misguided priorities (high entertainment or automobile costs, for example) — and may show where you might draw from.

My prayer is that, as you work to more effectively integrate your financial priorities with Christian teaching, you'll experience the joy of being “a cheerful giver.” God love you!

Phil Lenahan is director of finance at Catholic Answers in El Cajon, California.