If I won the lottery would the Church accept tithing on that?

[nuclearfuels]

Hypothetical here; just curious.

I like the idea of buying land in countries the Church doesn't yet own land and donating it anonymously to the Church - if I couldn't pay tithing on winning the lottery. 

If the Church doesn't accept tithing money on lottery or gambling winnings, what creative ways would you use to still comply w/ the 10% commandment?

[Calm]

7 minutes ago, nuclearfuels said:

the Church doesn't accept tithing money on lottery or gambling winnings, what creative ways would you use to still comply w/ the 10% commandment?

How would that be complying with the reason behind the commandments to become closer to God?  Do you think God is upset with you breaking one commandment on purpose, but can be bought off by you obeying another?  Why not commit adultery, but then give money to a charity for single mothers to make up for it?  Shaft your employees, but then give to a charity for the homeless.

[blackstrap]

Ouch. 

Lotteries run by and for the government are just another way to tax people, particularly the poor who can be desperate .My government says it uses lottery revenues to pay for public services like heath care , woman's shelters etc. so you might think that buying a ticket as charity. Right !!

As far as I know the church does not accept gambling money for tithing. That said, there are several other lines on the donation slip one could use  eg. humanitarian etc where it could be put .

[Tacenda]

I just don't understand wanting to donate to the church with billions and billions and not want to donate to a charity or families that is needy. But I guess it's none of my business what you do. 

[Calm]

4 hours ago, blackstrap said:

Ouch

Guess I shouldn’t post 3/4s asleep, lol. 

My apologies for overreacting, that is how it struck me at the time.

But I am wondering why give anything to the Church thinking of it as tithing when it is not recognized as such by the Church?  Sincere question as I am wondering about your thought process here.

Edited May 26, 2024 by Calm

[Rain]

The "church" isn't going to know you are paying tithing on lottery winnings unless you tell them. 

If you pay in another way so the church won't know would you feel honest about it?

What would be the point in paying it with land? Because you feel the Lord still wants you to pay it even though the men you feel are his leaders say not to?

Edited May 26, 2024 by Rain

[bluebell]

I’m guessing members pay tithing on lottery often since most lottery winnings are a few hundred dollars.

I think most members differentiate between lotteries/raffles and gambling in their heads.  Even if the church doesn’t.

[ZealouslyStriving]

I have a great idea for those who want to find something good to do with their 10% of lottery winnings!. My address is:

123 Main St. 

 

[Calm]

3 hours ago, bluebell said:

I’m guessing members pay tithing on lottery often since most lottery winnings are a few hundred dollars.

I think most members differentiate between lotteries/raffles and gambling in their heads.  Even if the church doesn’t.

How many members actually play the lottery, do you think?  It’s throwing money away in my view.

[ZealouslyStriving]

2 minutes ago, Calm said:

How many members actually play the lottery, do you think?  It’s throwing money away in my view.

When I was 16-17 I was picked up from school once by a man from the Ward- his back seat was COVERED with lottery tickets.

[JAHS]

15 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

Hypothetical here; just curious.

I like the idea of buying land in countries the Church doesn't yet own land and donating it anonymously to the Church - if I couldn't pay tithing on winning the lottery. 

If the Church doesn't accept tithing money on lottery or gambling winnings, what creative ways would you use to still comply w/ the 10% commandment?

In 1987 the First Presidency of The Church made this statement:

"There can be no question about the moral ramifications of gambling. As it has in the past, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands opposed to gambling, including government-sponsored lotteries."

President Joseph F. Smith had stated:

"The Church does not approve of gambling but strongly condemns it as morally wrong, and classes also with this gambling, games of chance and lottery, of all kinds, and earnestly disapproves of any of its members engaging therein."(See Dallin H. Oaks, June Ensign 1987)

The best way to make your choice is to not participate in the lottery in the first place. If you do and want to donate the winnings there are plenty of other charity organizations that will accept your donation.

[The Nehor]

I never entirely understood the church’s position on gambling. The justifications often given for not gambling (getting something for nothing) would, if comprehensively applied, bring an end to capitalism. The worries about addiction make much more sense but that gambling urge can be satisfied in other ways that aren’t what we would typically call gambling.

[CV75]

16 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

Hypothetical here; just curious.

I like the idea of buying land in countries the Church doesn't yet own land and donating it anonymously to the Church - if I couldn't pay tithing on winning the lottery. 

If the Church doesn't accept tithing money on lottery or gambling winnings, what creative ways would you use to still comply w/ the 10% commandment?

God and the Church don't need our tithing and certainly don't need our good luck! I would repent  by giving all the winnings to causes the Lord prompts you to through sincere prayer.

 

[Teancum]

16 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

Hypothetical here; just curious.

I like the idea of buying land in countries the Church doesn't yet own land and donating it anonymously to the Church - if I couldn't pay tithing on winning the lottery. 

If the Church doesn't accept tithing money on lottery or gambling winnings, what creative ways would you use to still comply w/ the 10% commandment?

I have a great suggestion. Give it to a charity where most if not all of it goes to relieve human suffering. I have a few suggestions. Better that than continuing to  build the church's $150 billion stock portfolio. 

[CV75]

5 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

I never entirely understood the church’s position on gambling. The justifications often given for not gambling (getting something for nothing) would, if comprehensively applied, bring an end to capitalism. The worries about addiction make much more sense but that gambling urge can be satisfied in other ways that aren’t what we would typically call gambling.

I thought it had its roots in pioneer times -- the associated fights, drunkenness, etc. But like you say, we can fight and get drunk without gambling. Perhaps it is a form of coveting that perverts agency into wishing and directing our willpower into an outcome we have no control over (as opposed to cleverly insinuating ourselves into obtaining a neighbor's property or spouse). Coveting is an activity that is sinful in any context. The is not the "Wizard of Odds" and does not tolerate tithing on something He has not given us.

[CV75]

12 hours ago, Rain said:

The "church" isn't going to know you are paying tithing on lottery winnings unless you tell them. 

If you pay in another way so the church won't know would you feel honest about it?

What would be the point in paying it with land? Because you feel the Lord still wants you to pay it even though the men you feel are his leaders say not to?

I don't believe the Lord wants laundered tithe. I've been told so many times "No one will know" as encouragement to do sleazy things like not pay taxes, accept gift money that needs to be laundered, or administer a "death with dignity" Rx to someone no longer able to do it themselves. I believe in being transparent with the Lord in this commandment as He designed it, just as we keep the laws of the land as the voice of the people set them up.

[Tacenda]

33 minutes ago, CV75 said:

God and the Church don't need our tithing and certainly don't need our good luck! I would repent  by giving all the winnings to causes the Lord prompts you to through sincere prayer.

 

I hope you're serious.

Edited May 26, 2024 by Tacenda

[Rain]

1 hour ago, CV75 said:

I don't believe the Lord wants laundered tithe. I've been told so many times "No one will know" as encouragement to do sleazy things like not pay taxes, accept gift money that needs to be laundered, or administer a "death with dignity" Rx to someone no longer able to do it themselves. 

I hope you're not (thinking I'm) encouraging anyone to pay tithing on gambling because no one would know. If you are you've missed the point of my post. 

1 hour ago, CV75 said:

I believe in being transparent with the Lord in this commandment as He designed it, just as we keep the laws of the land as the voice of the people set them up.

Edit: missing a couple of words

Edited May 26, 2024 by Rain

[CV75]

27 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I hope you're serious.

Yes, I am, at least that is the best advice I have.

8 minutes ago, Rain said:

I hope you're not In encouraging anyone to pay tithing on gambling because no one would know. If you are you've missed the point of my post. 

 

I am not advising or encouraging that; I am in full support of your post which does not encourage it either, but states a fact and asks good questions.

Edited May 26, 2024 by CV75

[MustardSeed]

It doesn’t bother me if you want to gamble.  We’ve been advised against it but you have your own mind and life.  Regular gamblers seem pretty miserable to me so be careful.  
and I’d suggest you pocket 100% of your dirty money.  God will not be mocked.  

nice of you to want to donate land but if a country won’t allow church ownership they probably wouldn’t allow that transfer to occur anyways. 

[JLHPROF]

16 hours ago, Tacenda said:

I just don't understand wanting to donate to the church with billions and billions and not want to donate to a charity or families that is needy. But I guess it's none of my business what you do. 

Tithing is a commandment and consecration is a temple covenant.  Both are clearly described in the scriptures.  I just don't understand the objection to them.

Helping the poor, the widows and the fatherless is also a commandment.  Why is this ALWAYS made into an either/or decision?

Edited May 26, 2024 by JLHPROF

[JLHPROF]

I pay tithing on all income regardless of source.  God didn't provide any restrictions on that.

If one of my sources is an ill gotten gain that doesn't remove the requirement to tithe but it should make me examine where I'm getting my income.  And I should repent of all income received through evil, not compound the evil by breaking additional laws.

[Rain]

47 minutes ago, CV75 said:

Yes, I am, at least that is the best advice I have.

I am not advising or encouraging that; I am in full support of your post which does not encourage it either, but states a fact and asks good questions.

Thanks.  I have edited my post to add words I found missing.

[CV75]

17 hours ago, Tacenda said:

I just don't understand wanting to donate to the church with billions and billions and not want to donate to a charity or families that is needy. But I guess it's none of my business what you do. 

According to my mind-reading, he likely wants to do all three: donate to the Church, to charities and to needy individuals. Maybe I'm biased because that is what I do. But he is cordially inviting replies to a hypothetical, which is anyone's business, including yours if you want to participate.

[blackstrap]

To be  fair ,life is a gamble .That is why we buy insurance. 

If you buy a rental property , you expect to make money to pay off the mortgage , hoping the renters don't trash the place. A farmer plants his fields gambling against hail and drought and pests. Pick a job and there will be be an aspect of chance involved.