Should Paying Tithing Really Be Considered An Act Of Charity?

[JAHS]

From a KSL article:

"At the state level, residents of Utah were the nation's most generous, donating $65.60 to charity for every $1,000 they earned. One factor is Utah's large presence of Mormons, whose church practices call for them to give at least 10 percent of their income to charity."

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=31836238&nid=148&title=wealthy-giving-less-to-charity-utah-tops-states&s_cid=queue-14

 

Church critics claim that the only reason for this is the fact that Mormons are compelled to pay tithing to keep their membership in good status and remain temple worthy and therefore such donations should not be considered an act of giving to charity. Is this a valid argument?

 

See the interactive map:

http://philanthropy.com/article/Interactive-Explore-How/149107/#search

 

 

 

[Sky]

I see paying tithing as an act of obedience and humility, and completely voluntary.  I try to do it because i want to, not because I feel forced in order to go to the temple.  So yes, it could be classified an act of charity.  

 

If I weren't paying tithing, that 10% would probably be going to things like extra gadgets that I don't really need, a few extra car washes, maybe some new clothes, and a few extra nights out going to a restaurant.  All things I can currently do if I do my budget and plan ahead in advance.      

Edited October 7, 2014 by Sky

[Buckeye]

Depends on who you ask.  The US federal (and I think most all) state government considers tithing to be a charitable donation.  I'm not sure if there is an official church statement on the issue, but the church frequently refers to "tithing and other chartiable donations" (e.g. 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/tithing), which suggests the church views tithing is a charitable donation. That said, John Huntsman Sr., who has paid much more tithing than I ever will, expressed the view that tithing is "club dues," not charity.  (http://approachingjustice.net/2014/07/17/huntsman-sr-tithing-does-not-count-as-charitable-giving/)

 

I think your bigger question is whether tithing is truly optional considering it is a requirement for a temple recommend. 

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

 

Church critics claim that the only reason for this is the fact that Mormons are compelled to pay tithing to keep their membership in good status and remain temple worthy and therefore such donations should not be considered an act of giving to charity. Is this a valid argument?

The stupid part is that the thought never even crossed my mind until this board. I don't think it is valid. Saint's pay it because they believe in the principle and the blessing that come. I think that part never occurred to the critics.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

 

I think your bigger question is whether tithing is truly optional considering it is a requirement for a temple recommend. 

That is not the "bigger" question. It is optional. You don't have to go to the temple to be in good standing.

[ksfisher]

 

I think your bigger question is whether tithing is truly optional considering it is a requirement for a temple recommend. 

 

It's not optional if you want a temple recommend.  Neither is stealing, breaking the law of chastity, or killing people optional.

[JAHS]

That is not the "bigger" question. It is optional. You don't have to go to the temple to be in good standing.

Depends on your definition of "good standing". What if you want to attend your child's temple marriage? You would have to pay tithing. If you have to pay then is it really a charitable contribution?

[Buckeye]

The stupid part is that the thought never even crossed my mind until this board. I don't think it is valid. Saint's pay it because they believe in the principle and the blessing that come. I think that part never occurred to the critics.

 

I'm not disagreeing with tithing being a temple recommend requirement.  I'm just pointing out the issue of whether it is truly optional.  While most members pay tithing out of good reason, I have heard testimony from some who say they only paid in order to attend a child's wedding (or other such reason). I don't have any right to get into the motives of such members, but that fact that some tithing is paid for (arguably) involuntary reasons, is a valid point to raise in assessing a charitable giving study. FWIW, I'm sure there are many non-tithing examples where charitable contributions are made for less than charitable reasons.

[Tsuzuki]

My Internet bill is entirely voluntary. I can cancel at any time, but I pay it because I love Comcast. Therefore, it is an act of charity.

[SeekingUnderstanding]

I don't consider tithing Charity. Given that it funds church buildings, church programs, temples, BYU, church manuals - all of which I use or have used on a regular basis, I think John Huntsman is right. Tithing is akin to membership dues. 

[BookofMormonLuvr]

I believe the bigger question is: Are you tithing out of the abundance of your heart to help people or are you doing it because that's just what you do as a Latter Day Saint, not necessarily because you feel "forced"?

[JAHS]

I don't consider tithing Charity. Given that it funds church buildings, church programs, temples, BYU, church manuals - all of which I use or have used on a regular basis, I think John Huntsman is right. Tithing is akin to membership dues. 

 

I am almost inclined to agree. Now if you are talking about Fast Offerings and humanitarian aid that we donate; those would most definitely fall under the category of charitable donations. When it come to tithing it depends on the motive for paying it. Most do it because they believe that it helps the church do good and helps people throughout the world by bringing them closer to Christ which I suppose could be considered charitable.

[JLHPROF]

Well, my first thought was that tithing was not charity because I pay my tithing to the Lord (through his representative), not to my fellow man.  So it is between me and God, and therefore not charity.

 

That was my first thought.

 

My second thought was that charity is "the pure love of Christ".  Tithing is a minimized form of sacrifice, so when we pay tithing we are offering a sacrifice to the Lord because we love him.  Doesn't that qualify as charity?

 

On a side note, my wife and I often disagree about whether it's right to claim back tithing on your tax returns.  Charitable donations we can claim back and do more good with.  I'm always of the opinion that if tithing is a sacrifice to the Lord expecting to get it back negates part of the sacrifice.

Edited October 7, 2014 by JLHPROF

[Calm]

Funding for missionary work and stuff that supports others I would view as charity, funding that goes to the stuff that supports me I wouldn't view as charity.

Even if in reality due to the mass number of those paying in, the cost for supporting me is small, if I were to attempt to provide for myself the same benefits (excluding the spiritual ones that are priceless), it would be likely much more than any tithing I (or anyone else) might pay unless I (or anyone else) became very wealthy (for most of my life I have paid no tithing save in the sense I supported my parents and then my husband in paying a full tithe though one could argue due to my support of him, half his tithing counts as mine) so I have no problem if tithing is seen as not charity if charity is defined as giving to help others and only others.

Giving to the Diabetes Association, Heart Foundation, etc. might be labeled as not charity for my family though if we start going that route. And helping the poor makes for a more stable society in general so little that is labeled charity doesn't have some sort of benefit for the giver.

[JAHS]

According to the IRS:

"A charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization.

It is voluntary and is made without getting, or expecting to get, anything of equal value"

 

I guess Tithing qualifies, because the blessings I receive by paying it are far greater than "equal value" to the money given.

[VideoGameJunkie]

Well there are punishments for not paying it.

[Sky]

I couldn't have said this any better myself.  

 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/tithing

 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/-on-faith-blog-mormons-tithing

[ERayR]

By legal definition (US tax law) it is. 

[mnn727]

My Internet bill is entirely voluntary. I can cancel at any time, but I pay it because I love Comcast. Therefore, it is an act of charity.

Just try deducting it  from your taxes as a charitable contribution.

[Rain]

I'm not disagreeing with tithing being a temple recommend requirement.  I'm just pointing out the issue of whether it is truly optional.  While most members pay tithing out of good reason, I have heard testimony from some who say they only paid in order to attend a child's wedding (or other such reason). I don't have any right to get into the motives of such members, but that fact that some tithing is paid for (arguably) involuntary reasons, is a valid point to raise in assessing a charitable giving study. FWIW, I'm sure there are many non-tithing examples where charitable contributions are made for less than charitable reasons.

 

I agree there are some that pay tithing for not good reasons.  This kind of makes me think of people who don't pay extra on their mortgages for the tax savings though I'm not sure why it makes me think of it..

 

Well, my first thought was that tithing was not charity because I pay my tithing to the Lord (through his representative), not to my fellow man.  So it is between me and God, and therefore not charity.

 

That was my first thought.

 

My second thought was that charity is "the pure love of Christ".  Tithing is a minimized form of sacrifice, so when we pay tithing we are offering a sacrifice to the Lord because we love him.  Doesn't that qualify as charity?

 

On a side note, my wife and I often disagree about whether it's right to claim back tithing on your tax returns.  Charitable donations we can claim back and do more good with.  I'm always of the opinion that if tithing is a sacrifice to the Lord expecting to get it back negates part of the sacrifice.

 

How many people though pay it thinking, "I'll get some back?"  That never even crosses my mind when I'm paying it.  So when I am paying it doesn't feel less of a sacrifice.  Actually, thinking about it,  I don't even feel a sacrifice anymore after so many years of doing it.  It's just second nature to me. It's been that way even when things were pretty meager at our house. Does that mean I should be paying more?

[The Nehor]

Yes, it is.

The Church is offering eternal life to all of mankind. What better charity is there?

[JAHS]

Yes, it is.

The Church is offering eternal life to all of mankind. What better charity is there?

But only those who actually get eternal life are those who pay tithing. 

What it all comes down to is what's in a person's heart. Are they doing it to receive the blessings or are they doing it out of love and obedience to God?

For legal purposes the statement on my tithing settlement report says:

"The Church provided no goods or services in consideration in whole or in part, for the contributions detailed below; but only intangible religious benefits"

[Storm Rider]

But only those who actually get eternal life are those who pay tithing. 

What it all comes down to is what's in a person's heart. Are they doing it to receive the blessings or are they doing it out of love and obedience to God?

For legal purposes the statement on my tithing settlement report says:

"The Church provided no goods or services in consideration in whole or in part, for the contributions detailed below; but only intangible religious benefits"

 

That is not accurate - we know that non-Mormons may enter the Celestial Kingdom and they will have never paid tithing.

 

The commandment is to pay tithing - the person's heart, their motivations, etc. or another issue.  To get the most benefit out of any action is to have one's heart in the right place - doing the right thing for the right reasons.

 

To tell the truth, I could not care one iota what some obnoxious twit whose objective is to tear down the LDS Church thinks, says, etc.  What is a fact is that each individual chooses how much to pay in tithing and in other contributions.  If there are some individuals who cannot understand this then it is a personal problem they must work through and has nothing to do with members or anyone else.

[The Nehor]

But only those who actually get eternal life are those who pay tithing. 

What it all comes down to is what's in a person's heart. Are they doing it to receive the blessings or are they doing it out of love and obedience to God?

For legal purposes the statement on my tithing settlement report says:

"The Church provided no goods or services in consideration in whole or in part, for the contributions detailed below; but only intangible religious benefits"

I am doing it for both. Part of loving your neighbor as yourself is loving yourself so that you can love your neighbor.

[Tsuzuki]

Just try deducting it  from your taxes as a charitable contribution.

I'd like to, l but they stubbornly refuse to register as a non-profit organization.

 

"And now abideth faith, hope, tax deductions, these three; but the greatest of these is tax deductions." - 1 Corinthians 13:13