The Fifth Precept You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church. Each according this own ability”. (CCC 2043).
In 2Corinthians 8 and 9, St. Paul talks about the generosity of the Macedonians. “For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously, they begged us insistently for the favour of taking part in the service to the holy ones.” (2Corinthians 8:3-4). Imagine that! They begged St. Paul to allow them to help the Church. He then goes on to say that famous phrase, “for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Corinthians 9:7).
Think of this precept in terms of family, if your parents or children or other family members are in a jam, you’re going to help them. That’s what family does. So it is with the family of faith. St. Paul addresses this in Galatians 6:9-10. “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.”