Tithe and Jesus
Question
How would Jesus react to the collection of (a) moneys during the Mass, (b) the wealth of the Church and the Vatican, and (c) the tithe?
Answer
(a, c) Collecting money as tithes and offerings was part of Old Testament worship, which Jesus affirms, so there would be no reason for him to object to collecting tithes and offerings in a modern worship service. Jesus affirmed the tithe (e.g., Matt. 5:17-20).
(b) In the Old Testament great wealth was amassed in the temple at various times (e.g., the reign of Solomon). Wealth itself is a legitimate blessing from God (though not all wealth is the result of such blessing), whereas poverty is a common Proverbial result of foolishness. Wealth is not a sign of sin. With specific regard to the wealth of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican, I imagine Jesus would have problems with it on a number of counts, not the least of which is the false pretenses on which much of it was collected/extorted from the people.
answer by Ra McLaughlin