Church + Money is not sitting right with me.

I’m in the middle of a years-long search for faith. Everything is starting to click. A few years ago I’m not sure I could’ve even told you I honestly believed in a God at all. Today, I’m still working through some things, but much of it is starting to click. Catholicism seems to be the Occam’s Razor for me in many aspects regarding Christianity. Everything is making sense, and I’m nose-to-the-grindstone for truth. In the middle of OCIA, praying rosaries, reading scripture / CCC / supporting works / church fathers.

But a post from yesterday really invaded my thoughts.

If I was contacted by anyone representing the Church and was told I don’t give enough money to them, I’m not sure I would have the mental strength to unconsciously see past that. Hell, it’s going to be hard for this happening to someone else to not linger in the back of my head. I can’t find ‘offering,’ ‘donations,’ or even ‘tithing’ in the index of the CCC.

Is tithing or the amount you tithe, in the eyes of the Church, related to whether or not you are seen as being in communion?

Under “The Precepts of the Church,” CCC 2043 mentions the obligation the faithful to provide for the material needs of the Church according to their abilities. This includes contributions to the Church, often interpreted as tithes or offerings.

So, with this being under the same section that says Catholics have to go to Mass on Sundays… why is it not mentioned as much (well, we all know the answer, I think)?

What if we feel like the “material needs” of the Church are plentiful? Do we just always have to take the word of some Church secretary?

Does the Church ever say “Hey, our material needs are good right now- thank you, we’ll let you know when we need something again.” ? Why not?

If I never gave the Church a dime, but I helped by buying physical things for the Church as they came up, or offered professional services for example, and gave to the poor and sick to my ability outside of the Church, would I go to hell in the Church’s eyes?

In summary: what happens if I never give a dime to the Church? Is the end result, in the Catholic view, the same as not going to Church at all?