My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we are on the ordinary time, it is a good opportunity for us to reflect on two questions: “When did we give tithe?” and “Where do we put God in tithing?” Perhaps these questions are simple but might be hard to answer.
It is indeed that everybody can earn money from the fruit of labors, but when it passes in our hand, do we ever think about God? Do we ever give a portion of our income to Him?
As what the Church taught us, let us not become a slave of earthly things like money, but not necessarily to wash its value. Instead, we are asked to use it not out of abundance but out of generosity for the goodness of our poor brothers and sisters.
This teaching of the Church is urging us to portion the tenth of our income, as it is our duty to help in any form of resources that we have.
The Catholic Church is still grateful to those generous hands who keep their assistance in the charities of the Church through tithing, as it “teaches us how to be pure and undefiled before God, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep one unstained from the world.” (James 1:27)
Let us all remember that as a Catholic faithful, it is also our mission to “heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Receive without paying; give without pay” so that “each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (Matthew 10:8) (2 Corinthians 9:7)
We should also try to reflect on the phrase written in the upper portion of our money that says “Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon.” Let us use this as a reminder to find God by sharing our blessings through tithing and putting Him first.
May God continue to bless and prosper all the generous Catholic faithful in our society.
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