LDS: I know a guy who pays tithing, but does nothing else?

Question

in the Mormon religion? Isn't that just a huge waste of money? Why does he do that? He told me he only wants "non-spiritual blessings", and doesn't care about an afterlife.
Is he crazy, or what?

Oh, also, he says he sometimes, but not very often, prays, and reads the BOM. He also told me he would like to go to church, just occasionally, but doesn't, because that causes home teachers to come over and "judge" him for the wine and coffee in his house.

Answer 1

I find that odd that he would pay tithing but not care about the afterlife. Tithing is a wonderful thing, you really receive many blessings. When my husband and I were first married we were very poor, and homeless, I was also pregnant, due to circumstances my husband could not work and I was working 10 hours a week getting paid $8/hour. I still paid tithing. The church found us a place to live, payed for our rent, gave us lots of food, and helped us get back on our feet. If faithful members hadn't paid tithing I do not know where my family would be. Now we are finacially secure and have a healthy baby girl. Tithing also goes to the churches bills (lights, water, ect.) No one in our church including our bishop receives any money! So my answer no to your questions "Isn't that a huge waste of money?" I do not think his home teachers judge him, if they do they have issues that they need to deal with since Heavenly Father said Thou Shalt not judge! Not everyone is perfect however that is why we go to church!

Answer 2

Tithing isn't just an LDS thing, it is a commandment from God. I know for a fact that you do receive blessings from paying your tithe. I know to others it may seem like a lot of money.
I don't know why he would even bother paying tithing if he isn't going to church.

Answer 3

"He also told me he would like to go to church, just occasionally, but doesn't, because that causes home teachers to come over and "judge" him for the wine and coffee in his house."

That poor man. Apparently he was brought up to be a member of the LDS church and he cares about God but he can't stomach the LDS legalism that they have imposed upon the Scriptures. He really needs your help and prayers. You ought to get him hooked up with a good non-denominational, Bible teaching, Christ honoring, Spirit led church like the one that I go to http://www.alcf.net

I remember laughing when my Pastor was telling us the story about going to visit some people and hearing bottles clinking as they were trying to put away their booze before they let him in or another story about how he was driving down the street and saw a brother from church who was smoking a cigarette and he stopped to say hi and the guy burnt his hand trying to hide the cigarette behind his back. My Pastor doesn't add to God's Word and tell people they have to never have a drink of alcohol or that smoking a cigarette is a sin.

He tells people that a drunkard will not inherit the Kingdom of God and that smoking isn't good for their health but he doesn't add his own spin to what's written in the Bible.

Answer 4

If he's a LDS, he is crazy. He should care about the "after life" as all of us will go to Heaven if we're saved and Hell if we're not. Tithing is not a waste of money, it is commanded by God to take care of the church and the pastor. It costs money to run a church, that is electric, gas, phone, sewer, etc.

Answer 5

That is pretty wacky. It sounds like he knows the church is true but thinks he can just reap the blessings of tithing and do nothing else.

I cant say tho because I cannot know someones situation completly. But if that is the case he should definatly meet with his bishop.

Answer 6

The Mormon Church is undeniably a cult. Mormons believe that God the Father was a man before becoming God and do not accept the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, thus preaching a FALSE GOSPEL. Preachers and believers of False Gospels are on the wide road to eternal torment.

The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is clearly taught in the Bible (Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; 20:28; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:7-8; 2 Peter 1:1; Titus 2:13). The Lord Jesus is eternal and uncreated (Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 7:3; Micah 5:2, John 1:1-3; 8:58; Colossians 1:15-19), He retained His deity while becoming a man (Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:19;2:9; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3-8), He is equal in nature to God the Father (John 5:18; John 19:7) and He receives the same worship as God the Father (John 5:23; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:11-14; John 14:14)

Mormons hold in their temples rituals largely borrowed from Free Masonry, trust in "blessed" clothing for protection, believe the lie that women should not be allowed any position of authority in church and embrace the false doctrine of Christians being required to tithe.

God Does Not Command Us to Give 10% or Any Fixed % of Our Salary or Property

Tithes were required by God from the Israelite farmers and ranchers (see Deuteronomy 14:22 and Leviticus 27:30). Tithes were agricultural produce and not money (and they had money back in those days). The tithes were used in the temple, for festivals and for helping the poor.

There were 3 tithes from some of the Israelites and a 4th from the Levites to the Levite priests.

1) The Levitical tithe required those who raised crops (not everyone and not all professions – just those who raised crops) to give 10% of that to the Levites. This tithe occurred 6 years out of the 7 year cycle. It also required those that raised 10 or more animals to give each tenth animal that passed under the rod to the Levites. If a person raised less than 10 animals, they were not required to tithe.

2) From what was given to them, the Levites in turn had to give a tenth of the very best to the priests.

3) The festival tithe required that those who raised crops or animals to set aside 10% for the annual festivals.

4) The Poor tithe occurred only in the 3rd year of the seven year cycle. This was set aside for the poor.

Now about Christians and tithing, God never established a set standard for Christians to give. The principle of 10% of earnings being required of believers is not taught in the Bible. Giving should be done out of freewill and love and sometimes God puts it in our hearts to give much more than 10% and it doesn’t have to be just money. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit. Giving should be done cheerfully from the heart (2 Corinthians 9:7) for the honour and glory of God, to help the needy (Hebrews 13:16, Acts 20:35, Matthew 25:35-45, Acts 6:1-4, 1 Timothy 5:1-16) and to support GENUINE Christian pastors and ministries who would use what is given to them for GODLY PURPOSES AND NOT FOR WORLDLY PURSUITS (1 Corinthians 9:7-14, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:1-13, 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Just as the animal sacrifices were replaced under the New Covenant by the great sacrifice of our wonderful Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:27) and circumcision was replaced by circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), Old Covenant tithing was replaced by giving cheerfully of what one (who is being led by the Holy Spirit, of course) has decided in their heart to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). Examples of what we can offer are: food, money, clothing, furniture and our service as Christians. We must use wisdom and make sure that the things we offer are needed. Some ministers use others' hard earned cash to embellish their churches and feed their worldly desires.

It’s clear that God never told us that we should be giving 10% (or any fixed %) of our salaries. Those who preach that Christians are to give 10% (or any fixed %) are wresting the Scriptures to conform to their belief at the expense of the truth. An individual may teach this false doctrine due to one or more of the following:

• Ignorance

• Fear of ridicule or disapproval of others who support this teaching

• Not wanting to admit what they always taught was wrong

• Love of money (1 Timothy 6:10)

Applying Old Testament practices in the New Testament is in essence, placing those who hear them under the bondage and curse of the Mosaic Law (Galatians Ch. 3).

Any one who teaches that we are to follow Old Covenant regulations are subverting the souls of those who hear them:

Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

If you’re teaching others that God commands this, no matter how good the intentions are, it’s a sin. It’s time to break free from the false doctrine of believers being required to give 10% (or any fixed %) of their earnings, and take a stand against it.

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

http://www.cnview.com/on_line_resources/christians_and_the_tithe.htm

http://www.letusreason.org/doct54.htm


REDEMPTION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

Because mankind is incapable of meeting God’s standard of perfection necessary to abide in God’s presence (Romans 3:19-20,23), God sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the total debt for the believer’s sins and mercifully credits to his account Christ’s righteousness (Romans 3:21-28,5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Jesus’ gracious act of atonement was complete and covers all sin (Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 1:9). Salvation is not based on good deeds but according to the mercy of God (Titus 3:4-5). Believers are justified by faith; it is a gift by God’s grace (Romans 4:3-8; Ephesians 2:8-9). A true, living faith will result in a desire to live a holy, loving life of good works (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6; James 2:14-26), but failure to be absolutely successful at righteous living does not negate the believer’s justified status.

If you sincerely say this prayer, your sins will be washed away, you will be redeemed to God, be saved from eternal torment and inherit the Kingdom of God:

"Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner.
I repent of my sins.
Please forgive me and save me by your shed blood;
come into my heart.
I want to receive you as my own personal Lord and Savior.

Amen"

https://victoryinjesuschrist.wordpress.com/

Answer 7

He is confused for sure--