Tithes And Offerings

[thesometimesaint]

saemo:

It is a type of offering. But it is a specific type called Tithing. We have other offerings such as Fast Offering donated once a month to the relief of those poor with the boundaries of the Ward. Perpetual Education Fund, Humanitarian Relief Fund, the are special Fasts amoung the ohers.

We don't have a collection plate, but we can give directly to the Bishopric, or even send it in by mail.

Edited December 2, 2011 by thesometimesaint

[Darth_Bill]

The scriptures say to prove him in this matter. I don't Think many people do. I don't view being fed as that distinct. Billions of people are fed that don't pay tithing. I think we abstract things a great deal to justify our actions. We can try and prove him, but if you don't pay, you'll burn. Great.

Edited December 3, 2011 by Darth_Bill

[Bernard Gui]

One of the categories to which I regularly contribute is the one that reads "Perpetual Education." The "Perpetual Education Fund" is a fund that provides extremely low interest loans to members (especially in developing countries) to attend university or trade techincal colleges, etc. In my judgment, it is one of the most far-sighted programs in the church. It was initiated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, and has already provided for the education of thousands of church members around the world.

Amen, amen, and amen. If this were President Hinckley's only contribution, it would be sufficient to establish

his legacy as one of the greatest servants of the Lord..."inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Bernard

Edited December 4, 2011 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

How so?

Again, since tithing status is private, (unless you're a Bishop), how can it be an indicator?

I have been a bishop and have served in several bishoprics and am currently ward clerk.

I will concur with this observation. I will add that there are wonderful people in and out of

the church that do not tithe.

I know a man who is not a member, but pays tithing. He testifies it has brought blessings

into his life.

Bernard

Edited December 4, 2011 by Bernard Gui

[saemo]

saemo:

It is a type of offering. But it is a specific type called Tithing. We have other offerings such as Fast Offering donated once a month to the relief of those poor with the boundaries of the Ward. Perpetual Education Fund, Humanitarian Relief Fund, the are special Fasts amoung the ohers.

We don't have a collection plate, but we can give directly to the Bishopric, or even send it in by mail.

I don't see much difference in how we're doing things. It is important for a Catholic to tie personal sacrifice to the Sacrifice of Christ. I know Catholics who would say doing good works without this tie makes those works pointless, but I'm not one of those. All good is authored by God.

There are also many types of offerings in Catholicism. The offering given at Mass is for the material needs of a parish. Abut once a month a special offering is collected for other needs, such as ministries outside the parish, missions, etc. The most defining thing I think between Mormonism and other Christian religions is that I don't know of any other group who validates how much people are giving.

[thesometimesaint]

Saemo:

No one is required to go to Tithing Settlement. I go to make sure that my books are accurate.

[saemo]

Saemo:

No one is required to go to Tithing Settlement. I go to make sure that my books are accurate.

In the same way that no one is required to pay tithing?

[Senator]

In the same way that no one is required to pay tithing?

Actually, no.

There are simply no repercussions taken if one doesn't attend tithing settlement. However there are for not paying a full tithe.

Edited December 5, 2011 by Senator

[Storm Rider]

In the same way that no one is required to pay tithing?

From my earliest days as a LDS I seldom went to tithing settlement; I just never felt like it was worth my time. However, I have always held a temple recommend. I have never been questioned by anyone as to why I have missed going to tithing settlement. The Bishopric will always announce when tithing settlement begins and there is always a sign up list to organize when to attend, but I just never sign up. Again, no one ever asks to me sign up.

It is always my perception that those outside the Church think that tithing is mandatory or that there is someone looking each member's shoulder to make sure we are each paying our tithing. It really is voluntary. If I go to a temple recommend interview and state that I am a full tithe payer, even when I am not, I would still receive a temple recommend. No one interviews us and then checks a tithing settlement from the past December or looks at a tithing record for the current year. All that is needed is for an individual to say yes and a temple recommend is issued. It is solely the word of the member that they are worthy to attend the temple and the recommend is provided without question.

If a member attends the temple unworthy is there a problem? In my opinion no; hopefully these individuals will learn to be more obedient while going to a place of holiness. I believe that many feel unworthy to attend the temple; consistent temple attendance is like going through a joyful refiners fire. The more we attend the temple the more holy we yearn to be and become.

Tithing is a simple teaching of the Church of Jesus Christ. All that we have comes from him and our Father asks that we keep 90% for our desires while dedicating 10% to building up his Kingdom. You decide what 10% is and no one will question you. Do you see how this is really a personal choice without ramifications unless the Spirit guides to doing more?

[saemo]

Do you see how this is really a personal choice without ramifications unless the Spirit guides to doing more?

I see it as comparative to the time the Catholic Church required abstaining from meat on Friday, and those who did not had committed a mortal sin that should be confessed and absolved before receiving communion. Sure, no one was checking up on anyone, and anyone can go up for communion. No one knows or doesn't know. A major difference to your description of going to the temple when not worthy is that the reason people are taught to not receive communion while having an unconfessed mortal sin, is that the NT clearly teaches such a person has damned themselves...the Catholic Church has no interest in guiding people away from Christ.

At Vatican II, Friday abstinence was changed, and there is a misconception even among Catholics that Friday is no longer a day of abstinence. However, it is, only the ecumenical council changed it to something that should be done according too a person's conscience, not something that is "forced".

Individuals can be confused about a teaching. So, it is, yes, I prefer to give the benefit of the doubt and believe people are seeking to do the will of God, in the way in which they understand, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. Seeking guidance from a trusted spiritual director who is impartial and can point out what is being viewed askew can also be helpful.

Edited December 6, 2011 by saemo

[Kenngo1969]

From my earliest days as a LDS I seldom went to tithing settlement; I just never felt like it was worth my time. However, I have always held a temple recommend. I have never been questioned by anyone as to why I have missed going to tithing settlement. The Bishopric will always announce when tithing settlement begins and there is always a sign up list to organize when to attend, but I just never sign up. Again, no one ever asks to me sign up. ...

You mean, all of those "extra" procedures put in place in my ward (such as asking members to bring in their W-2s and/or 1099s so they can be compared with the tithing declaration) aren't "kosher"?

Sorry. Couldn't resist. Carry on.

Edited December 6, 2011 by Kenngo1969

[Kenngo1969]

Saemo:

No one is required to go to Tithing Settlement. I go to make sure that my books are accurate.

Roger! Copy that! Cancel the jack-booted, black-clad hit squad that was scheduled to make an aerial insertion by zip-lining from the black helicopter through an open window.into your home!

Edited December 6, 2011 by Kenngo1969

[KevinG]

Tithing settlement is a great opportunity to receive inspired counsel and a personal family visit from the Bishop. It is not done for the ward or church. It is done for the members who want to take advantage of the opportunity.

We don't bring our surplus cattle and chickens to the storehouse anymore, but the meeting still has advantages for us.

[KevinG]

Roger! Copy that! Cancel the jack-booted, black-clad hit squad that was scheduled to make an aerial insertion by zip-lining from the black helicopter through an open window.into your home!

Uhem... those jack-booted, black-clad hit squads are more properly referred to as Danites in polite Mormon circles.

[Kenngo1969]

Uhem... those jack-booted, black-clad hit squads are more properly referred to as Danites in polite Mormon circles.

Oh, yeah. Ummm .... ... sorry!

[Storm Rider]

You mean, all of those "extra" procedures put in place in my ward (such as asking members to bring in their W-2s and/or 1099s so they can be compared with the tithing declaration) aren't "kosher"?

Sorry. Couldn't resist. Carry on.

Thank you for the humor. It helps to lighten the conversation at times.

I, fortunately, always escaped out one of the Sunday school class room windows before they could throw me in chains to produce said documents. I will never reveal which window because they think all are secured in order to keep the saints under their control, but I figured it out when one of my wives took off after a particularly crueling interview and without knowing it she loosened the bolts and bars. It is amazing what a woman can do when she feels threatened.

It would be easy for those outside the Church to misunderstand when they hear about paying tithes and having tithing settlement. But everyone should remember one of the fundamental teachings of the Church is that each individual has their own free agency. No one if forced to do anything. More importantly, that any time any adult is forced, that process reflects the works of Satan, which is the author of forcing individuals to do things.

[KevinG]

A nitpick if I may.

Free God given agency...

Thank you. Good points otherwise.

Edited December 7, 2011 by DaddyG

[Truth]

sky:

While the financial blessings are nice, I'm not going to turn them down. It is the Spiritual one that mean the most to me.

I've never had to go hungry, even in lean times. I've always have a warm bed, and a hot shower waiting for me at the end of a day.

The Spirit I feel at church and in the Temple. The gifts of the Spirit, the eternal promises with my wife are what I most desire.

I am well blessed.

I have always in my mind tied tithing to promises in the BoM of prosperity if the commandments are kept. It gets hard to see the blessing of paying tithing when you can't pay the bills due to a lost job. Even if you can eat, to my mind there is more that just surviving. It most often seems to me are those that tout the blessings of tithing have income. If I had a dollar each time I have heard it said just be faithful, easy to say if you have never been out of work, always had income. I have heard a stake leaders and president say that by simply paying more offerings, they made more money. Really, doesn't seem to work. Heard an apostle at stake conference say that if you pay your tithing you will be blessed, hard to see when the car doesn't work because of another's selfish act you lose a job, credit is destroyed and bills aren't paid and the way you keep from losing your house is asking for money from parents.

I have thought alot on the blessings of tithing, not sure I could give a testimony of it. It gets paid because it is a commandment, still can't pay the bills. The lights on in the church don't mean much when your own lights are an issue.

[Nominee]

Here is a blank tithing and other offerings slip.

One of the categories to which I regularly contribute is the one that reads "Perpetual Education." The "Perpetual Education Fund" is a fund that provides extremely low interest loans to members (especially in developing countries) to attend university or trade techincal colleges, etc. In my judgment, it is one of the most far-sighted programs in the church. It was initiated by President Gordon B. Hinckley, and has already provided for the education of thousands of church members around the world.

I was told that the "Perpetual Education" fund only applies to members living outside the US. Does anyone here know differently?

[Vanguard]

In light of tithing settlement coming up, the First Presidency recently sent a letter to be read in all wards and branches regarding tithes and offerings.

See here

And, here is the oft quoted scripture relating to the Law of Tithing:

Malachi 3: 10

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

I would like to hear your thoughts about and experiences with paying tithing. How have your lives been blessed for paying it? If it has been a hardship, how have you overcome it? Dissenting viewpoints are welcome, but please keep it civil.

The tithes my wife and I have payed out over the last 14 yrs has kept us out of getting into further debt. If I had that tithe money available to me on a monthly basis I would have those waverunners and that 5th wheel I've always wanted and as a result, would be in even more debt than we already are.

[ERayR]

I was told that the "Perpetual Education" fund only applies to members living outside the US. Does anyone here know differently?

The Perpetual Education Fund line is for anyone who wishes to donate to it.

[Nominee]

The Perpetual Education Fund line is for anyone who wishes to donate to it.

Thank you; However, my question was regarding who might benefit from it. Do you know anything about that end of it?

[ERayR]

Thank you; However, my question was regarding who might benefit from it. Do you know anything about that end of it?

Not really but my understanding it is for areas where educational tuition helps are not available as they are in the US.

[William Schryver]

Have you been a Bishop?

Otherwise, how has it been your observation, since one's tithing status is a private matter?

I have never been a bishop, and I hope to never be a bishop. Absolute worst calling in the church, if you ask me. I am in awe of those who will accept and magnify that calling. I have loved and sustained every bishop of every ward I have ever been in during my life. (I currently have the BEST callings in the church: Ward Organist and Gospel Doctrine Teacher.)

However, In addition to being a high councilor and the stake executive secretary (to two different stake presidents), I've been a counselor in a bishopric, and spent many a long Fast Sunday afternoon entering tithing and fast offerings into the computer.

[William Schryver]

Saemo:

No one is required to go to Tithing Settlement. I go to make sure that my books are accurate.

To me, tithing settlement is one of the most important meetings we attend each year.

I view it as obligatory.

We always go as a family. I want my children to see exactly how much we have paid in tithing and other offerings, and to hear me declare to the bishop that we are full tithe payers. I want my children to hear me and my wife as we bear testimony to the bishop of the blessings of paying tithing; to hear us say that we regard paying tithing as a privilege. I want my children to hear me and my wife tell the bishop that we have been full tithe payers for xx years running (we're up to 29 years).

In my opinion, as I have stated previously on this thread, I believe tithing is, perhaps more than anything else, the most reliable indicator of faithfulness to the restored gospel.