November 12, 2023, 12:00 PM

If I offered you 168 one-dollar bills, as a gift, would you accept it? Then if I ask you for $1 back, would you give it to me? How about $2? How about 10%, $16.80? These shouldn’t be difficult decisions since the $168 was a gift. Each week contains 168 hours. Each hour is a gift from God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (para 2043) says, “the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.” But how much is that? The Church has never stated a specific amount. But the standard in the Bible is the tithe, 10 percent of everything. “For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:32). God challenges us. “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). So, how can we cheerfully give nearly 17 hours each week to God? It’s easy if we put God first by loving God and neighbor. Attend Mass, pray, especially the Rosary, go to Adoration, read Scripture and the Catechism. Perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy. And the list goes on. Think about giving. Pray about it. Come up with a plan that allows you to start with a daily effort that grows to 10% of your time, talent, and treasure given to God. With our desperate need of priests, it is especially important to pray for vocations and to contribute to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. Refusing means robbing God and, even more important, could lead to refusing the gift giver Himself. Now you know!