Would you say paying tithes is applicable today?

Answer 1

Tithes are still applicable in many denominations, not just Catholicism. In Christian churches--Protestant, Presbyterian, etc.--tithes are still widely given. Remember, they are voluntary contributions. In The Bible, God discusses tithes, obviously, but He does not want them unless you WANT to give them. Even if you do not have or cannot give 10% of your wages, God appreciates anything because you WANT to give it to help his cause. Tithes today are not necessarily used to make improvements to the particular church you attend. They are also used to fund missionaries, support groups, and outreach programs.

The Bible mentions tithing in other ways, as well, because tithes were originally offerings of cattle, wine, or grain. Deuteronomy 14 shows how tithing transitioned into monetary offerings.

The Giving of Tithes

22 "You must set aside a tithe of your crops-one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship-the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored-and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.

24 "Now when the Lord your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe. 25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the Lord your God has chosen. 26 When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want-cattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household. 27 And do not neglect the Levites in your town, for they will receive no allotment of land among you.

28 "At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year's harvest and store it in the nearest town. 29 Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work. (NLT)

Matthew 23 describes how tithes should not just be material possessions:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." --Matthew 23:23 (NASB)

Tithes will always be applicable because, as the Bible says, "Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 14:23--NLT)


Another view of tithes, regarding the Catholic Church, from Ilove2dance:

Yes, you should still give tithes.

However, I know of no one that currently does this giving of ten percent to the church. I grew up Catholic and even in my youth knew of no one that gave ten percent. My parents gave $5 a week which was a lot actually, about 4%, but that amount started going down in the 70's. I don't know current Catholic church policy on this.