SPSA Church Giving (opens in a new tab)

Part III: Spiritual and General Questions · 3

Should one give tithes to relatives?

Faith Q&A › Many Years with People's Questions › Part III

The question

Many people have asked me this question: If we have poor relations; a father, mother or sister etc., should we give to them out of our tithes?.

The answer

Yes, of course one should give to the needy relatives from one's tithes. St. Paul the Apostle said " if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Tim. 5:8).

However, it is not right to give all the tithes to relatives and neglect the other poor people who are not related to you, and that is for two reasons:

1. Lest what you give for your relatives should be a social duty which you are obliged to perform whether you pay tithes or not, or you pay it more on account of ties of blood than out of' compassion or sympathy for those in need, or with the purpose of carrying out the commandment.

2. Sometimes there may be poor people who are more in need than your relatives, and it would not be right for you to neglect them.

If you have needy relatives they can be given some of your tithes.

Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory

Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory, Many Years with People's Questions, Part III: Spiritual and General Questions. Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. Translated by Mrs. Glynis Younan, London. Revised by Mrs. Wedad Abbas. Second edition. Revised COEPA 1997. ISBN 977-00-2738-3.