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The Fifth Precept
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the
Church, each according to his own ability.” (CCC 2043)
In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, St. Paul talks about the generosity of the Macedonians.
“For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their
means, spontaneously, they begged us insistently for the favor of taking
part in the service to the holy ones.” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) Imagine that!
They begged St. Paul to allow them to help the Church. He then goes on
to say that famous phrase, “For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians
9:7)
Think of this precept in terms of family. If your parents or children or
other family members are in a jam, you’re going to help them. That’s
what family does. So it is with the family of faith. St. Paul addresses this
in Galatians 6:9-10. “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time
we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have
the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong
to the family of the faith.”
or percentage of one’s income. But the standard in the Bible was always
the tithe, or ten percent of one’s gross income. It’s important to
remember that God has given us everything. We must be willing to give
generously to provide for the needs of the Church with our time, talent
and treasure.
For further study:
CCC 2043
2 Corinthians 8 and 9 • Galatians 6:6-10