Tithing and Excommunication

Q: I am a graduate theology student, and in class we covered the reforms of the Council of Trent. I came across this passage from Chapter 12 of the Decree on Reformation of Session 25: “The holy synod therefore enjoins on all, of what rank and condition soever they be, to whom the payment of tithes belongs, that they henceforth pay in full the tithes, to which they are bound in law, to the cathedral church, or to what other churches… they are lawfully due. And they who either withhold them, or hinder them [from being paid], shall be excommunicated…”

As a young graduate student, my income is very limited and my giving to the Church has been small. I have only given to a parish occasionally, and from the small amounts of cash in my wallet. In light of the text from Trent above, has my lack of giving to a parish caused me to be excommunicated? If so, does this discipline still apply in light of the current code of canon law saying nothing of the sort? Any help would be much appreciated! –Anthony

After I made my conversion I determined that I should tithe- really tithe, 10% of all income. At the time I was working catch as catch can and had very little income, no regular; I couldn't "afford" to tithe. But I did and do. The tenth came before groceries and rent and everything else. Some time later when my financial circumstances were not yet improved I became aware that I was getting by just a bit more easily than before and was more apt to have a little money in my pocket.

After I started making it a constant goal to part out that 10% to the Church I also began to be aware of where I was dribbling money away that I had not even noticed before, such as buying sodas and cigarettes. Without thinking about it I had reduced those drains on my wallet and eventually ended them. That coke and chips or candy bar at the 7-11 when you stop for gas or just when you pass the 7-11 adds up to a pretty big chunk of your resources and cigarettes are a huge drain. Lots of other little leaks got plugged, mostly unconsciously.

That has carried over to my credit card that I now have. I had one before years ago but couldn't handle it. When it came time to pay the bill I thought I really needed that money and could get by just by paying the minimum charge. Well that is the way to change a convenience into a backbreaking load. I dumped the card finally and paid it off bit by bit. Years later I had to get another card in order to buy plane tickets. I made a point of paying it off monthly except the tickets which I made sure to pay off in 3 months. Now I do it all on line and pay it off almost daily. I pay no interest, except a month or two when I fly. It has become almost a computer game to get the balance to 0 and keep it there.

You won't lose money by tithing, especially if you make it the most important thing you do with your income and give thanks to God when you do.

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