"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me in this, says the LORD of hosts: Shall I not open for you the floodgates of heaven, to pour down blessing upon you without measure?" (Malachi 3:10)

Good stewardship of treasure acknowledges the following three principles:

1. ​Everything that I have belongs to God;
2. In gratitude for all that God has given me, I choose to respond generously;
3. From my material and financial resources, I give the first part back to God.

A traditional approach to giving is tithing, which is found in the Bible. The Biblical guideline is to tithe 10% of my resources. A possible distribution of this money would be: 5% to my parish family, and
5% to other charities.

My gift must be truly sacrificial, requiring a clear sacrifice on my part, that has an impact on how I use my material resources.

A Prayer for Generosity

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.
(Saint Ignatius of Loyola)

by Sherry Weddell

Saint Melania the Younger (d. 439): A Roman noblewoman who abandoned a luxurious lifestyle to join a Christian community, Melania sold her vast properties to give money to the poor and purchase the freedom of 8,000 slaves.

Saint Homobonus (d. 1197): A successful businessman, Homobonus looked upon his trade as an opportuntity given to him by God. He was hardworking, successful, and happily married. Not content with merely tithing, Homobonus was remarkably generous, caring for the poor in their homes. Homobonus died while kneeling in prayer during Mass.

Saint Katherine Drexel (1858-1955): A member of a fabulously wealthy and devout family, Katherine entered the convent where she gained a reputation as the "richest nun in the world." She used her wealth in part to fund the establishment of 61 schools for Native and African Americans.