Under the Old Law, God commanded the people to give tithes for the support of the priests and
the Temple (Numbers 18). St. Paul taught that “they who preach the gospel, should live by the
gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). This precept binds Catholics to contribute, according to their means,
to the support of their pastors, the upkeep of their churches and schools, the missions, and the
works of charity. The Baltimore Catechism expresses it simply as the duty “to contribute to the support of our pastors.” No fixed amount is laid down; each gives in proportion to what God has
given him. The generosity of immigrant Catholics, often poor, built the churches, schools, hospitals,
and orphanages of America in exactly this way, one offering at a time.