Why we must give our parishes money

BY SAMUEL FRANCIS IMC

Growing up under the shadows and watchful care of my parents, I always found joy in attending Sunday celebrations. Not exactly because I understood what was going on but because on Sunday we’d put on our best clothes and carry with us some coins for the offerings.

If someone works to bring you the Word of God and to help supply your spiritual and sacramental needs, then you should contribute to take care of their material needs.
(CNS photo/Peter Finney, Clarion Herald)

There was no going to church without monetary offering. It had become part of us that we associated it with Mass. It was not much but those little coins were as important to me as the Mass was to others. I didn’t know what the money was for and I didn’t want to know either, I just wanted to give like everybody else was giving.

However, I was told that it was an offering to God, I didn’t care much what God was going to do with it anyway. Many of us grew up knowing that coins were meant for church offertory while notes for our personal needs, many people have not shifted their paradigm yet.

But what exactly is the place of money in ministry?

The saying goes that God made man, man made money and money made man mad. St Paul’s first letter to Timothy opines that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

Lately the Bible has become a tool for business. Many preachers quote the Bible to assert their claim that the faithful must give generously to their churches in order to secure prosperity. Some preachers have even set up ATM machines within their worship environs to help achieve that goal! God’s love is trumped by material prosperity.

Catholic priests, on the other hand, seem to shy away from the topic of money. They are reticent to ask the faithful for money. They do not find it easy. Yet, ministry needs funding to thrive and the Catholic Church’s many charitable endeavours require money. Seeking funds is a natural and inescapable part of Christian ministry. Part of this ministry is always mindfulness of the poor.

Why do Catholic priests, unlike pastors in evangelical churches, find it so hard to ask for money? Part of the reason is in our history. When missionaries came to evangelise Africa, they did not only bring the Gospel and built churches, hospitals and schools, but they also provided us with food, shelter and clothing. As a result, we thought that it is the Church’s duty to take care of the needs of her faithful.

The early missionaries had support base from their countries and they did not need so much the financial support from the locals. This is no longer the case. Funders are diminishing and many parishes are no longer in the hands of western missionaries but of local priests, many of whom are from very humble backgrounds.

The time has come for the local Church to support her own ministry without relying so much on unpredictable external financial support. Of course, the Church’s generosity requires good stewardship, accountability and administration. One does not take the freely offered gifts for ministry lightly.

Jesus emphasised the importance of preachers being supported materially by those who benefit from their preaching (Lk 10:7). If someone works to bring you the Word of God and to help supply your spiritual and sacramental needs, then you should contribute to take care of their material needs.

It is a principle that is emphasised repeatedly in the scriptures. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel” (I Cor 9:14).

Let us reflect on how best we can contribute towards evangelisation, both now and in future.