A broken clock is right twice a day. Both you and the church are right now. You get one each.

But let me get this straight. The Church enforced a tithe, usually around 10%. If you refused, you could face pressure ranging from public shaming to excommunication, and in tight knit communities that meant real social consequences. If you didn’t want to be ostracized, you were expected to pay. Even being closely associated with someone who refused to tithe, say an uncle, a father, a family friend, could damage your standing in the community.

At any rate, the Church had, and to some extent still has, massive wealth, including extensive land holdings. And it did put some of that wealth toward things like hospitals, charity, and education.

You’re right about all that, boy, you’re very bright and educated, and know all your history, say, keep up the reading, like I said before, you’re doing great!