Being Mormon and Tired of Paying Tithing.?

Question

I'm Mormon, have been all my life. I truly believe in the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

However, I'm tired of paying my tithing. I understand the scriptural references regarding tithing and the necessity of a tithe . . .

. . . But, I simply feel that "purchasing" my way through a religion is not something I want to take part in. In essence, if I don't "pay", I can't "partake". I'll be cut off from the temple, I'll be restricted in my callings (participation) and will be commanded and lectured on my need to "repent".

I'd like to continue to participate in this religion and pay my tithing when I feel I need to and want to. Any suggestions?

"LDS Mom" has posted a very inappropriate comment. I'm bothered that so many individuals gave her 5 "thumbs-up".

For the records sake, I have been a member of the LDS church for my entire life. I continue to serve in auxiliary callings, yet I honestly struggle with this commandment - tithing. Hence, my posted question, and several excellent responses, which is exactly what I was looking for.

This was a true endeavor on my part. "LDS Mom", I would appreciate if you kept your future comments off of any additional question I might pose. What shame that your general unaccepting attitude is probably a mirror of your true nature. It's also a shame that the "LDS" name is tied to your unaccepting comments.

It's clear who needs to grow up. Thanks to all others who have posed excellent responses.

Answer 1

You're not LDS at all there's more than just paying tithing. You're Frankie of Arizona. Rice and Cheese.

Answer 2

You can't be excommunicated for not paying tithing. It is in every way voluntary. I'm pretty sure you won't be released from your calling either - unless you're the Bishop, or something major. And no one will ask you to repent. At tithing settlement the Bishop may want to discuss it with you, but it's not as though he's going to demand to see your salary slip and ask for a cheque.

You are not "purchasing your way through religion." You are simply giving back to God 10% of what he gives you. It's a thank offering, and a small one at that. In The Friend (I have small children) this month are two stories of families using the last of their money to pay tithing, and getting amazing blessings - the food and shoes they needed but didn't have money for. Has something like that not happened to you? I know it has to me. Since you've always been a member of the church, perhaps when you stop paying tithing you will discover how much you really need to!

I pay my tithing by direct debit, so I never even see the money and I don't have to muster up the faith to write a cheque each month. I find that by far the easiest way to do it, but it does depend on your income being the same each month. I also GiftAid it, so in actual fact I pay less than 10% from my net salary, and the rest of it comes back via the taxman, so I am still a full tithepayer, and I know that part of my income tax is actually going to the church. Fantastic.

Probably only works in the UK, of course. But equally you could pay the equivalent of tithing into a high interest savings account and then at the end of the year pay it, and you would still have all the interest it had generated. You'd have to muster up even more faith to part with the lump sum, of course...

Answer 3

I was a full tithe payer the entire time I was in the Mormon church. I too felt like you. However, when I was in a place to really need help from the church, I was told to look elsewhere. In theory, tithing is a good idea. If the church is really true, why not be willing to help support it and move it forward. However, it is not true, and therefore you are just paying for your right to belong to a culture club. If you question tithing, I can't believe you don't question other aspects of the church. Take this oppurtunity to really research your religion. If it is true, you will find that out in your research. The truth can withstand ANY criticism! As far as LDSMOM goes, all she does is bash any mormon who questions or any non-mormon. You aren't the first questioning Mormon that she has attacked rather than help. And when I have called her out on it, she write a lame email to me stating I have hurt her heart. Then she blocks me from responding. She doesn't get the fact that she is hurting her own people by attacking them just for asking questions. She is just doing what she has been programmed to do by the church. LDSMOM, I don't care if I "hurt your heart" with my words. People like you destroyed my heart and ruined my life for years. If you would take the time to help people who are questioning, rather than berate them for questioning publicly, you might actually be worth something. Instead, you try to silence people and try to promote the lie that all Mormons are complete believers and no one ever questions the prophet. I pray that someday you will wake from you brainwashed state and start thinking for yourself, instead of being a mormon drone and automatically attacking anything contrary to Mormon beliefs. You are nothing but anti-non-mormon.

Answer 4

A couple thoughts for you... I won't tell you what to do- that's between you and Father.



"Obedience is the first law of Heaven."- I don't rmember who said this one, but it seems that Father wants heaven to be an orderly place, and tithing is a way to sift the wheat from the chaf, so to speak.

D&C 82:10-- God keeps his promises. He says, "If you do X, I'll bless you."... When you do X, blessings WILL come.

D&C 130:20, 21-- All blessings we get are because we did somethign right. (Personally, I see tithing as a way to gain more blessings, and I KNOW I need all the help I can get!!!)

Malachi 3:10-- (Ok, so I'm preaching to the choir, but it's a point worth mentioning.)

Mosiah 2:21-25-- Credit where credit is due. Father has given us everything. I personally don't see his request for 10% in return as too much.



Ultimately, it's up to you whether you choose to pay your tithing or not, whether you gain the blessings promsied or not.

Answer 5

If you don't want to pay tithing, then don't. It's a matter of choice, as in all things. And you probably already know nothing is going to happen to you--you can even duck out of the tithing settlement if you want to.

Bottom line is--why are you worried what people will think? You shouldn't. It's between you and God. And if you think that you can look him in the eye and say you did what you were supposed to, then it's cool.

I learned about tithing gradually, myself. I worked overseas and was not able to pay my foreign money to an American branch, so I had to save all of my tithing up into one huge, large lump sum, until I could get it all exchanged into American money. You cannot imagine the agony I experienced handing over a large check--and yet, when I did, I have never experienced such a powerful influence of the Holy spirit as I did right then.

On the reverse side, there was a time when I was suddenly destitute,, and my ward helped me buy food for my kids, helped me with my rent, even me buy a little car. People are incredulous--they say "Your CHURCH gave YOU money???"

Believe me brother--it's there if you need it and you are worthy of it b/c you have put your tithes in the storehouse of the Lord--you never know when something bad will happen to cause you to need it.

By the way--I am a single mom, I now barely clear $2,000 a month while I am finishing college, I have 3 kids, 3 dogs, 3 cats. I always pay my tiny little tithing--and guess what? I make it! (And I have had a few miracles along the way, too.)

Answer 6

Mumof4 said it best. However, one thing I have not seen in the comments so far is the fact that only a small portion of the members of the Church actually pay a full tithing. Yes, tithing is a commandment and one of the basic teachings is that we are to obey whatever thing the Lord God shall command us. That being said, only about half of the members can be considered active. Less than half of those active members actually pay a full tithing. That means that more than 75% of the members are still members without paying tithing. When they get to the judgment bar of God, they will have to answer for their lack of obedience. In the meantime, the church will continue to teach and encourage faithfulness and obedience. There is time to repent and give thanks to God for all that He has given us. I like what Ernest L. Wilkinson, former President of BYU, said about tithing. He looked at tithing as a rent upon his life. God gave him everything he had and only asked for 10% in return for that life and everything therein. That is pretty cheap rent from a terrific land lord.
It is true that only the obedient enter the temple and failure to pay tithing will affect your recommend status. Please remember that along with being obedient is also the charge to endure faithfully to the end.
If you turn in your tithing with a spirit of thankfulness for all that God has done for you, perhaps it won't seem like such a chore to you.

Answer 7

Only 10%? I selflessly 'tithe' a lot more than that to taxes, being used for the good of society as a whole instead of for purposes stamped 'approved' by some religion. Does that make me kinder and less selfish than mormons?

Answer 8

The Church will never EX you for not paying your tithing but if the Church is true (and you have said that you believe in the Church) then you can't just pick and choose which "laws" (ie Law of Chastity, Law of Tithing, etc.) you abide by. You need to gain a testimony of tithing and see blessings given to you because you are obedient.

Answer 9

When I was younger I used to feel this way. I worked so hard for the little money I got, and I just gave some of it away. But when I came back to church, and gained a real testimony- that's when it wasn't even a question for me. God has given me everything- 10% is the least that I can do. But, you have free agency- you can do whatever you want. As far as the church taking away things from you (which is only a possible freeze on your temple recommend) - it's not them that have made these rulings- it is what God has asked all of His children to do since Adam and Eve- Moses etc. 10 percent of whatever. He gives us 100% of what we get, a 10% return to show that we are grateful and obedient is miniscual in comparison. Besides- the church has no idea whether you pay a full tithe or not (which would constitute restriction in the temple- but nothing else ie: callings)- they only know what you tell them at tithing settlement- if you lie, then that's what you have to live with. Besides- what difference does it make to them- you're the one denied blessings, not them. If you don't want to pay, then you don't have to- we all have free agency- besides like i said- it's not the church asking or doing the punishing- it's God- He set the groundwork on what He expects from us and what will happen if we don't follow Him long before we ever stepped foot on this earth. It's all in the bible-You got a problem than take it up with Him- and you be the one to tell Him that after all that He and Jesus has done for you and all of us, that you can't throw a couple menial dollars to help spread the gospel and show obedience and love and gratitude to Him- you can do whatever you want- it's your judgement seat. :)
* side note- if you don't feel like you need to pay a tithe to the Lord, and in doing so temporarily lose a temple recommend- I think that's fair- if you don't feel showing Him some gratitude is important, than why should He give you the blessings of going to the temple? The blessings of a temple is HUGE- and if you don't really care to be obedient to the Lord, or show gratitude why would you want to be there anyway? Would you feel right being in the temple knowing that you lied and short changed the Lord? Just my thought.

Answer 10

To me, it is simply a matter of faith. How can I demonstrate faith to the Lord. There are many ways, and tithing is one of them. If the Lord is asking me to do something, and I say, "No way. I am tired of doing that for you," I don't think that the Lord would reject me like I would be doing him. I do think, however, that I would not be showing the Lord that I loved him. As Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15

And one more thought. Who's money is it anyway? If we believe all is the Lords,.... he helped us get the job, he blesses us with health and strength to work, he helps us everyday......10% is a very small part to ask in return. Especially if everything in the world is His to begin with....

Answer 11

I've been a Mormon all my life, too. And I go by this motto... If I can't do something willingly, I don't do it at all. As far as I know, not tithing doesn't stop you from holding callings or participating in anything except for temple attendance.

Paying tithing is not about purchasing your way to heaven... It's about acknowledging that all blessings come from the Lord... and also about sacrificing to show where your priorities lie.

If you truly do not wish to pay, don't. If you pay unwillingly, it is as if you didn't do it at all.

Paying tithing is the most BASIC form of the law of consecration... where we devote everything that we are and have to the service of the Lord. That is the fundamental basis from which all temple worship becomes meaningful. Without that attitude, temple worship is pointless.

P.S. Mormon tithing is not an income for anyone who has any authority to tell us to pay tithe. The vast majority of LDS leaders, teachers and missionaries are unpaid and self-funded.

http://www.ldsfaq.byu.edu/view.asp?q=200