First Fruits

This is the period in which we plan our parish finances for the next year. We call this process “budgeting.” Of course, for us to budget and plan, we need every family to budget and plan. We need you to think about your expected income and expenses for the coming year (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017). How much money can you give to the parish?

Giving your “first fruits” is a biblically based method to determine your gift. The first hour of work in a week can be considered your “first fruits.” In a 40-hour work week that first hour amounts to 2.5% of your total pre-tax income.

FOR EXAMPLE: $1.00 each week is 0.2% at $12 per hour, $12 = 2.5%; or, 0.19% at $13 per hour, $13 = 2.5%; or, 0.18% at $14 per hour, $14 = 2.5%; or, 0.167% at $15 per hour, $15 = 2.5%. This means that $1.00 each week is far from 2.5%. We need those people giving less than 2.5% of their income to plan a 2.5% goal, and work to achieve that goal!

“Tithing,” or giving 10% of your income to the church and/or charitable organizations is another biblically based method of giving. Abram gives the holy man, Melchizedek, a tenth of his possessions (Genesis 14:19-20). The tithe is given not in order to receive God’s blessing, but rather as a response to God’s blessing.

Whether you give 2.5%, 10%, or some other percentage of your income to the church, may you give with purpose. Plan your gift! Do not decide based on a “feeling” you have when the collection is taken. Instead, decide to respond to God’s blessing in your life.

Sit down and pray over the decision. Pray and think. If you are married, ask your spouse’s opinion. If you are a single person who has a job, even if you live at home and are going to school, you too, are to pray and decide. Then write a check, or put your money in an envelope, and demonstrate that you planned your gift.

Peace, Fr. Andy