Ask Father Rudy: Faith, Tithing, & Reading the Bible

I'm posting four more answers to your questions for our THIRD attempt at "Ask Father Rudy". I welcome your questions and will try to answer them for you. Feel free to ask more questions via comment, message on facebook (www.facebook.com/olgbronx), direct message on twitter (www.twitter.com/olgbronx) or e-mail olgnsgbronx@gmail.com. I can't wait to respond to the next set of questions next week Wednesday. Stay tuned! 

God Bless You Family in Christ.

Question 1:

In reference to the first question/answer, I have to ask: If God was there all along, does that mean He allows or even promotes certain conditions? For example, if someone wins an award and lives a good life, God is there. And, when someone is sick and in pain, God is there. But, some people live and some don't. Some people thrive, some just barely hang on. Out of all people, some believe, some don't and they fall on all sides. I gave money to a homeless man and he said, "God bless you!" At the same time, Warren Buffet, one of the world's richest men and an atheist, has planned to give $37 billion of his fortune to 5 charities. What is God doing in these men's lives that would allow a non-believer to experience great riches while a believer lives in despair?

Our free will allows many things in life to happen, but it does not diminish God's presence among us.  That free will allows us to control many things but not all.  If we open our will to God, He will do His thing; if we do not, we do OUR thing, and there will be something missing...an emptiness.  What you gave to the homeless man may be as equivalent to what Buffet plans to give to charity...God working in each of your lives accordingly.  Despair is also a matter of opinion, for the homeless man may be freer, at peace and happier than someone who is surrounded by material trappings and needs nothing.  Hope this helps answer your questions.

Question 2:

Tithing is not only scriptural, but it is also a test of our faith in God. Logically, if we are facing hard times, as all are in this economy, it’s difficult to see how we can give 5% of what we make to God's church and 5% to a charity; and yet, when we DO, it all comes back in one way or another as God has promised, see the following: and test God when you give back to Him from what he has given to you.The tithe was a tax levied on the nation of Israel to pay for the Temple; we know that Jesus obviated the need for a physical temple and the Holy Spirit now indwells believers as part of the new covenant. Is this widespread Catholic teaching? I ask, because I don't normally see it outside the Word of Faith, Prosperity Gospel and Seeker-Driven movements.

Since tithing is scriptural it is a Faith driven notion.  It is a teaching that only those who read scripture, believe in it can put into practice; and then await the results.  When one practices tithing, everybody benefits.

Question 3:

What is the best way to approach reading the Bible – literally or contextually?

One should never approach the Bible just literally, as there is much background, history and the human hand to contend with; not only the spiritual meaning which the Holy Spirit gives to different people who read the Word.

Question 4:

It is very difficult to stay a member of any church when the clergy isn’t modeling proper behavior (isn’t being a good role-model). Is it best to just find another church or approach the clergy to address the matter?

Generally we do not belong to a parish community because of the clergy; we belong and worship God for God.   Clergy are human, with many faults and need prayer as well.  It is not necessary to find other churches, unless we are truly uncomfortable and it hinders our faith in God.  Approaching the clergy is always an option; you may help him improve these perceptions which he gives out.