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IN THIS ISSUE:

Cover Page

NOURISHMENT OF BODY AND SPIRIT

by Bro. Pete Lapid

BIBLE CROSSWORD

The Father Speaks

THE SOLEMNITY OF ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

By Fr. Siegfried Binzler, SJ

Our Faith

WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS (Part One)

By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC

Place of Refuge

BE FED BY THE LORD

By Philip Yuson

Surabaya Corner

ARE YOU TITHING ENOUGH?

By Ramon Martillano

Sharing

IS GOD UNFAIR?

By Thor Barleta

Here's the Latest

MILESTONES IN AUGUST

By Tintin Magbitang

Sharing

STORMS

By Joji Escuban

God Answers Prayers

THE POWER OF INTERCESSION

By Beth Manibog

Saint for the Month

SAINT ALPHONSUS


Meet the Staff
Catholic Links

Previous Issues


PROFILE OF THE
GENESIS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

THIS WEBSITE IS A PROUD RECIPIENT OF THE

GENESIS FUTURE EVENTS: Talk on "HOW TO WIN OVER TEMPTATION" - Sept. 14 @ Gereja Santa Maria, Third Wednesday Holy Mass - Sept. 19 @ Jl. Bacang No. 20, Talk on "BEATITUDES" by a special guest priest - Sept. 21 @ Gereja Santa Maria, Annual Bowling Sportsfest - Sept. 23 @ Ancol Bowling Center, LORD'S DAY Celebration followed by a talk on "PARABLE OF THE TALENTS" -Sept. 28 @ Gereja Santa Maria
SURABAYA CORNER

Malachi 3:10 “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… if you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take in.”

n the New Covenant Catholic magazine, Tithing is defined as, “the Scripture-based principle to give 10% of one’s income to support the Church community. God’s idea of what we should give is mentioned 46 times in the Scripture.” Furthermore, “Our tithes acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God.”

Last August 11, 2001, Genesis Surabaya was blessed to hear a talk from Ibu Tjokro, a good friend of the Filipino community in Surabaya. As defined above, she emphasized that we should give 1/10^th of our blessings to support the activities of the Church. She also stressed that this 10% belongs to God and is no longer ours. To withhold it from Him, is stealing from Him. Moreover, the tithing is not just on one’s income or TREASURE but on all of God’s gifts to us including TIME and TALENTS. 10% is just the minimum figure depending on how much we love God. Thus, we speak not of 10% but of LOVE-percent. Very important is the love with which we give our tithes. We should give tithes or contributions whole-heartedly. For those who do not have any source of income, they can still contribute time and talents, through prayers and service for the benefit of the Church.

As also mentioned in the magazine, “tithing is not currently popular among Catholics.” Which is true to some of us, to a certain extent. And some even question the basis of the 10% figure. Why should it be 10%? Not 2% or 5%? Conversely, why not 15% or 25%? Actually the range can even be up to 100% for those who follow Jesus’ words: “If you want to be perfect, sell all that you have and give them to the poor”.

While the Gospel speaks of the poor as the apparent beneficiary, the ultimate beneficiary is he who gives the tithes or contribution. In Luke 6:38, it says, “Give to others and God will give to you.” So in reality, it is a never-ending cycle wherein one gives tithes and the Lord blesses the giver for his generosity. By giving tithes, a person allows God to multiply His blessings on him. Tithing therefore is an opportunity to be blessed… and to be blessed a hundred-fold. Indeed we have heard of many testimonies manifesting God’s generosity to those who have unselfishly given tithes.

Still in Luke 6:38, “The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” Thus the more you give, the more will be your blessings!
I remember a relative in the Philippines who would always look for a few pieces of her loose coins whenever the collection bag is passed around in church. As one priest said, “this is because we are so attached to our earthly riches.” However, this is not the kind of attitude God expects from us after showering us with His abundant blessings. I suggest that if it is “difficult” for you to part with 10% of your income (especially if you are earning a substantial amount every month), start with 5%. (Please note that the 10% is based on GROSS income, not on NET income!) And gradually, you may increase your monthly contributions until you reach 10% and who knows, you might even give more than 10% after awhile! Actually, if we truly believe that all of our blessings come from God, it will not be very difficult to part with 1/10^th of our income. We still keep the bulk of 9/10^th! Right?

Brothers and sisters, our Church needs our financial support, time and talent. Without these, it will be very difficult for our Church to spread the Good News of our salvation. However, greater than this need is our personal need to learn generosity – for only when we give can God multiply His blessings on us! I pray that the Holy Spirit will constantly remind us that the blessings we have (treasure, time and talents) are not meant to be kept but to be shared. And that He would move us to start or continue to regularly give tithes to the Church. Amen!