How In The World Is Tithing A Privilage?

[The_RealEnigma]

I had an interesting conversation with my Mom today about tithing. For me tithing has always been a burden, a price you played for being a member of the church, yes I know and have always known that tithing goes towards important things (unlike our taxes) like the mission field, building of temples, disaster relief, maintaining and sustaining Church Buildings and the like but when my mom said that "paying tithing is a privilege" I nearly choked.

Being a Soldier in the US Army means I am working poor, half my money gets taken by uncle Sam, and I literally mean half, then on top of my pay being docked for a meal card I don't need or want twice a month I have to pay tithing which leaves me with next to nothing.

But all that aside, as I look back, I can see how part of my problem is the way my Dad used to hawk me (as I call it) about paying tithing. When I say hawk me I mean he would follow me to my room and watch to make sure I filled out a tithing slip.

Before that he would hound me 4 or 5 times daily about paying tithing until I filled out a tithing slip.

I realize in hind sight that my dad was just trying to make sure I did the right thing but I am certain now as I look back that he unintentionally gave me the wrong impression about the purpose of tithing. Buy hounding and practically dogging my every step to make sure it got done he was instilling fear not joy or appreciation in the act of paying tithing.

Another contributing factor was my Dads rabid almost fanatical lecturing and terrorizing me every and anytime I spent money. At the age of 12 I was earning about $5 a week and like a 12 year old I spent it on toys. Well my dear Dad who I am sure wanted me to understand the worth of a dollar went overboard by lecturing and practically browbeating me every and any time I spent money, he would always go on and on about budgeting and I used to think to myself budget what? 5 measly dollars, what does he think I'm gonna spend it on .50 Cent candy bars?

Now as an adult I can honestly say I am the worst kind of miser. I have chosen to have no hobbies or interests because virtually all of them cost money and I hate to spend money. This unfortunately plays right into Satan’s hands as it a very unpleasant and unwelcome task for me to pay tithing.

Now having said that I have always paid tithing no matter what but I have never and still can't see how paying tithing is in any way a privilege? In fact I have always viewed it as a burden but a none-negotiable one since I had to start paying it.

Even now I see no advantage to being promoted as whatever raise I would get will be offset by taxes and tithing.

Is it greed, probably, is it miserly absolutly, I remember when I got back from my first deployment and had 10K dollars in the bank. I didn't as most of my fellow soldiers would have go out and blow it on whatever instead I just sat there and marveled at myself. Everytime I got paid I would go online and look at my bank account and preen at how much money I had. I had no will or plan to use it for anything; I just wanted to see it increase for no other reason than because.

To this day I don't date, don't want to marry, don't have a social life, hobbies or intrests because it would require or cause money issues.

But I still can't wrap my brain around how tithing is a privilage. A requirment? Yes! A help to growing the kingdom? Yes! A burdon for people like me? More often than not! But a privilage???

[EllenMaksoud]

I tithe 10% of what I get since I am on Social Security. Anything I don't get, I won't ever get.

I get the thing about Tithing from Genesis 14 where Abram gave 10% of the spoils to the priest of Salem.

I doubt that you'll ever get this counsel from anyone but me, but maybe you should tithe out of what is in your pocket whe the government gets done picking your pocket?

[Darren10]

I tithe 10% of what I get since I am on Social Security. Anything I don't get, I won't ever get.

I get the thing about Tithing from Genesis 14 where Abram gave 10% of the spoils to the priest of Salem.

I doubt that you'll ever get this counsel from anyone but me, but maybe you should tithe out of what is in your pocket whe the government gets done picking your pocket?

Nothing wrong with that. That's what I do. The bottom line is if you feel clean fbefore the Lord and tithe on net as opposed to gross than live that way. As for me, I do tithe on my tax returns since its basically money I do not tithe on during the year.

[Darren10]

Enigma;

i find your upbringing unfortunate. Tithing is a joy and a blessing and instead of feeling such joy you feel guilt, hate, and fear. Go directly to the Lord for guidance. Open yourself up to the Holy Spirit for comfort and peace as you strive to serve the Lord. It's not so much that your tithing is spent on good things so mch that it's the Lord's ortion for His blessings upon you. I've known many military folks inside and outside y family. Financial struggles is a common theme among them. I know there's military folks here and those with extensive past military experience. I'm sure they can give you an insight as to budgeting, which includes spending some of your money, and living a life worthy of a Latter-day Saint to frequent the temple and receive its blessings from God.

I'd suggest that you decide on a small portion of your money going towards fun spending. You're actually wise in keeping this portion small and putting away the rest. If your own wealth accumulates to a certain point, look into investing it. I've recently come to view real estate investing a wonderful way to invest. Seek out those who have been successful at investing and follow their example. You should see much more money come your way. And remember that true wealth ishould be measured not by how much money is in your pocket but by how much money streams to your pocket.

Edited February 5, 2013 by Darren10

[Tacenda]

I feel bad that my husband and I kinda got after my inactive daughter to pay her tithing. Partly because in the back of our minds we heard my mother in law say that those that don't, will burn in hell. IOW, it's fire insurance, crazy now that I think about it. I feel differently now. Though I do believe if we belong to the church and use it's facilities, we should pay something. I've done a complete turn around and maybe one day will just do what the D & C says and pay on increase only. But that would sure be stark to what is normally paid. In the past, my tithing would be on gross so my family would get the most blessings, now it's usually net, haven't had too many terrible things happen.

[Damien the Leper]

I still tithe like a LDS would but to the Episcopal church. This old habit is a pleasure to keep.

[Garden Girl]

Hello Enigma...

Gosh... where to begin... I guess to say when I was a teen and had just graduated, I took a summer job. Every payday I had to lay my tithing payment on my parents' dresser with my tithing slip. So I know what you are speaking of... I sort of resented it too becaue I worked hard and had to give over that money... but, I was young and didn't understand.

Then I went inactive at age 20 for many years. Finally, 17 years ago I reactivated and once again began paying tithing. This time, however, my attitude was completely different. I read Malachi 3:6-10 and pondered and prayed about it because now I was living on my pension. I decided to start paying my tithing with a joyful heart... a thankful, joyful heart... praying in gratitude that I was able to have income to pay tithing on... I choose to pay on my gross.

Here's the thing... my change in attitude made all the difference in the world. Not only did I feel better about it, but wonder of wonders, things started happening. I began to receive numerous blessings, both spiritual and temporal... and the temporal blessings sent me to the scriptures to read about how the "windows of heaven" would be opened and blessings poured out that there wouldn't be enough room to receive them. And I can testify that I, a widow who struggles at times, have received blessings at just the right time when things looked darkest... sometimes temporal, sometimes spiritual, but always recognized as the hand of the Lord. So I can say to you, I can't afford not to pay tithing... so yes, each month when I make out my tithing check, I give thanks for the privilege I have to be able to pay my tithing...

I am distressed that you do not have hobbies or interests, or socialize. While it's great that you are careful with funds, I hope that you will be able to let up a little and find several things you like to do and do them... take a short trip for a weekend... stay somewhere nice... treat yourself. I'm not suggesting you become frivolous with your funds... but really, you've got to get a life!!

There's another scripture (I can't cite chapter/verse right now) that says that when we do things with a grudging heart it counts for nothing... if we grudgingly give of our time to service, we will not receive the blessings or that "feel good" feeling that we get when we serve others with a joyful heart. So IMO even though you pay tithing, it is with a grudging heart and I do believe you miss out on the blessings spoken of in the scriptures.

Let me encourage you to try.. try... to change your attitude and see if it doesn't make a difference...

All good wishes... GG

[The Nehor]

My parents tried to teach me the value of money and savings. I saved 40% of my meager allowance and 10% went to tithing. I learned a valuable lesson though not the one they intended. I learned that in a month of working a low-wage job I made more then I had saved in ten years.

I also pay on net. I used to pay on gross but when money was tight I had a chat with God about it expecting a command to pay on gross anyways and accepting it when I surprisingly got the answer I did not expect. Maybe one day it will change back. Who knows?

[DarthTooToo]

Tithe on the Gross! The Church needs bigger malls! Tiffany's doesn't pay for it's self you know!

Sorry couldn't resist... Tithing is good! If you go to church pay for it! But remember what Bono said "the God I believe in isn't short of cash mister!"

You will need to resist if you want to stay on the board. Drive by bomb throwing isn't welcome here.

[Calm]

I had an interesting conversation with my Mom today about tithing. For me tithing has always been a burden, a price you played for being a member of the church, yes I know and have always known that tithing goes towards important things (unlike our taxes) like the mission field, building of temples, disaster relief, maintaining and sustaining Church Buildings and the like but when my mom said that "paying tithing is a privilege" I nearly choked.

Being a Soldier in the US Army means I am working poor, half my money gets taken by uncle Sam, and I literally mean half, then on top of my pay being docked for a meal card I don't need or want twice a month I have to pay tithing which leaves me with next to nothing.

But all that aside, as I look back, I can see how part of my problem is the way my Dad used to hawk me (as I call it) about paying tithing. When I say hawk me I mean he would follow me to my room and watch to make sure I filled out a tithing slip.

Before that he would hound me 4 or 5 times daily about paying tithing until I filled out a tithing slip.

I realize in hind sight that my dad was just trying to make sure I did the right thing but I am certain now as I look back that he unintentionally gave me the wrong impression about the purpose of tithing. Buy hounding and practically dogging my every step to make sure it got done he was instilling fear not joy or appreciation in the act of paying tithing.

Another contributing factor was my Dads rabid almost fanatical lecturing and terrorizing me every and anytime I spent money. At the age of 12 I was earning about $5 a week and like a 12 year old I spent it on toys. Well my dear Dad who I am sure wanted me to understand the worth of a dollar went overboard by lecturing and practically browbeating me every and any time I spent money, he would always go on and on about budgeting and I used to think to myself budget what? 5 measly dollars, what does he think I'm gonna spend it on .50 Cent candy bars?

Now as an adult I can honestly say I am the worst kind of miser. I have chosen to have no hobbies or interests because virtually all of them cost money and I hate to spend money. This unfortunately plays right into Satan’s hands as it a very unpleasant and unwelcome task for me to pay tithing.

Now having said that I have always paid tithing no matter what but I have never and still can't see how paying tithing is in any way a privilege? In fact I have always viewed it as a burden but a none-negotiable one since I had to start paying it.

Even now I see no advantage to being promoted as whatever raise I would get will be offset by taxes and tithing.

Is it greed, probably, is it miserly absolutly, I remember when I got back from my first deployment and had 10K dollars in the bank. I didn't as most of my fellow soldiers would have go out and blow it on whatever instead I just sat there and marveled at myself. Everytime I got paid I would go online and look at my bank account and preen at how much money I had. I had no will or plan to use it for anything; I just wanted to see it increase for no other reason than because.

To this day I don't date, don't want to marry, don't have a social life, hobbies or intrests because it would require or cause money issues.

But I still can't wrap my brain around how tithing is a privilage. A requirment? Yes! A help to growing the kingdom? Yes! A burdon for people like me? More often than not! But a privilage???

Perhaps this is something you should pray about.

My dad, who was just passing on what his parents taught him, did kind of the same thing because he always promoted the work must be done before one plays (but looking back on his own life now as an adult, I see he didn't live by that rule himself...thank goodness for him) and now I find it very hard to allow myself to 'play' because of course the work is never done and I don't take great satisfaction in hobbies and such these days either because I just can't relax and enjoy them while I am doing them because I am thinking of what else I should be doing.

I recognized this in myself quite young and made sure I married a man who would play with my kids and it would be the most important thing he was doing at that moment so that my kids would have a more balanced attitude than I have. Now we have run into problems at times because I have wanted some work done when he insisted on taking the kids to play, but I can't get angry at him for that priority because that is why I married him and that would just be unreasonable.

Edited February 5, 2013 by calmoriah

[Calm]

I doubt that you'll ever get this counsel from anyone but me, but maybe you should tithe out of what is in your pocket whe the government gets done picking your pocket?

I have no problem with that, especially if he tithes on money he receives back eventually (assuming he will) from programs he's paying into.

The Church does not define what is tithing for the individual, but leaves it up to the person to do so.

We have chosen to do 10% off the paycheck at the beginning because it has only been an hardship for part of our life where we also knew that parents were there as a safety net if we ran into real problems. But we don't intend to pay tithing on money received back if we see it as already tithed.

I know many self employed individuals who end up paying very little in tithing even though they get big 'paychecks' because the paycheck goes towards paying employees and other business expenses including building up the business, but they intend to pay tithing on their gains if they ever sell the business.

Edited February 5, 2013 by calmoriah

[bluebell]

The older i've gotten (and it's not that old yet i guess as i'm 36) the more i've realized that just because something is a burden, doesn't mean it's not also a blessing and privilege.

Children are probably my best example of that. They are absolutely a burden. They cost a ton of money, they are difficult and painful to bring into the world and THAT'S the easy part of being a parent. They take, take, take, every second of your like, and it's years before they start to give anything substantial back. A baby doesn't love it's parents-it needs the person who will take care of it's needs and eventually that turns into love, but not for months-and believe me, it's needs are enormous!

And it doesn't get easier as they get older, it just stays hard (or gets harder) in different ways.

BUT (and this is a huge, gigantic BUT), it's so worth it. The blessings and joy that come with being a parent (some quickly and some years away) make the burden worth it. And those blessings and experiences make the burden a privilige.

[BCSpace]

I still tithe like a LDS would but to the Episcopal church. This old habit is a pleasure to keep.

Ah, but now it's no longer a privilege.

Edited February 5, 2013 by BCSpace

[Calm]

I do tithe on my tax returns since its basically money I do not tithe on during the year.

And we don't since we've chosen to tithe on the gross (but do not believe this is the "better" way, it is just the one that we think works for us including for the reason we know we can afford now to pay on future benefits what we might not be able to afford later to pay on). Edited February 5, 2013 by calmoriah

[Calm]

I've recently come to view real estate investing a wonderful way to invest. Seek out those who have been successful at investing and follow their example. You should see much more money come your way. And remember that true wealth ishould be measured not by how much money is in your pocket but by how much money streams to your pocket.

Start small though, I've seen too many who have invested in real estate and other things get shafted because they put everything all at once to maximize their benefits....and then those benefits don't materialize.

[Darren10]

calmoriah;

That is a good word of caution though my response to it is yes and no. Investing is very fluid and there's a lot more to it than simply plopping one's money down and ranking in the dough. The great thing about real estate is that everywhere you look there's property and somebody's gotta own it.

[Calm]

What I should have said was really educate yourself about it rather than just relying on others...and since I think of education as starting small like with learning how to add one and one and growing larger over time up to differential equations and such, I phrased it that way.

I have known real estate purchases whose value were dependent on the land getting developed ('your dream home located in a wonderful mountain community') and then no development happening so nothing could be done with the land save pay taxes on it so just owning land isn't necessarily a good thing....but I really know little about the good type of real estate investment having pretty much only heard horror stories. I guess the ones that do it right don't generally talk about it while those that don't want feel the need to vent.

[Darren10]

I would agree. The best way to educate yourself is to find others who are successful in real estate and simply copy them.

[Calm]

I would agree. The best way to educate yourself is to find others who are successful in real estate and simply copy them.

The problem is distinguishing between those actually successful and those who claim to be.

[altersteve]

If you don't want to pay tithing, then don't. I don't think the Lord wants us to pay tithing at all if we do it reluctantly. It only means something if you do it sincerely, from your heart, and indeed see it as a "privilege" to help build the kingdom of God.

Sorry if that came off as too preachy.

Edited February 6, 2013 by altersteve

[Maidservant]

I think one of the great things as human beings that we have to wrestle with in this lifetime is our relationship with money. There is no getting around that. And we were all taught things from our parents about money. Like you, I feel like most of what was transmitted to me about money from my parents was extremely damaging not only on the money side of things but bleeding, flooding into emotional, self-esteem and spiritual arenas. But it is what it is. Still my struggles in life, including spiritual ones, almost always have a heavy money element. I have finally accepted that and I'm personally glad that my trials involve money and not things like health and whatnot which others often have to go through.

Here is something to think about--is anything in life a privilege to you? or is it all a burden? In that sense, tithing is just one drop in the bucket. I can ask this, because I see very little joy in life myself. I have had to struggle to find any--none of the joy I experience is 'natural'--it's all deliberately chosen and cultivated and even at that it is small volume. I can blame my parents for that (no, really), but where does it stop, because the generations have been transmitting for--well--generations, and I'm not even quite sure what I'm passing on to my kids, I know I've wounded them.

I do find tithing a privilege and I love paying my tithing. At the very least, it's an opportunity to release something that otherwise has a great hold on me. I overcome instead of being overcome by.

God bless in your life journey and your tithing journey.

[thesometimesaint]

I think one of the great things as human beings that we have to wrestle with in this lifetime is our relationship with money. There is no getting around that. And we were all taught things from our parents about money. Like you, I feel like most of what was transmitted to me about money from my parents was extremely damaging not only on the money side of things but bleeding, flooding into emotional, self-esteem and spiritual arenas. But it is what it is. Still my struggles in life, including spiritual ones, almost always have a heavy money element. I have finally accepted that and I'm personally glad that my trials involve money and not things like health and whatnot which others often have to go through.

Here is something to think about--is anything in life a privilege to you? or is it all a burden? In that sense, tithing is just one drop in the bucket. I can ask this, because I see very little joy in life myself. I have had to struggle to find any--none of the joy I experience is 'natural'--it's all deliberately chosen and cultivated and even at that it is small volume. I can blame my parents for that (no, really), but where does it stop, because the generations have been transmitting for--well--generations, and I'm not even quite sure what I'm passing on to my kids, I know I've wounded them.

I do find tithing a privilege and I love paying my tithing. At the very least, it's an opportunity to release something that otherwise has a great hold on me. I overcome instead of being overcome by.

God bless in your life journey and your tithing journey.

Agreed. Do we own the money or does the money own us.

[The Nehor]

Agreed. Do we own the money or does the money own us.

My dad once told me that unless you are willing to watch all your wealth burn and end up mentally and emotionally okay it is probably not healthy to have wealth.

[CV75]

But a privilage???

Yes--when I recognize that God accepts it as a sign that I appreciate Him, what He has given me, and what He is trying to accomplish, it is a great privilege indeed. Granted, there are so many other ways of showing my appreciation, but it is a privilege to do so through a commandment that I can actually keep so perfectly!

[poulsenll]

In Moses 1:39, God tells us his purpose for each of his children.

39 For behold, this is my ^awork and my ^bglory—to bring to pass the ^cimmortality and ^deternal ^elife of man.

In Mat 5:48 Christ tells us what our goal should be in this life.

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

For me tithing is a privelege because it allows me to obey Christ's admonition for this one commandment.

More important, If we would become like God and Christ then we should be engaged in doing the things that they do. I can't, as yet, create worlds but I can pay tithing and in this way participate in bringing to pass the eternal life of man.

God could easily provide the funds to run the Church, his instrument at this time "to bring pass the eternal life of man" but instead he grants to each of us the opportunity to participate in this great purpose.

I love my Savior and I love my Father in Heaven and I thank them for granting me this privelege of participating in bringing to pass the eternal life of my family, friends and all those who accept Christ as their savior.

Larry P