Friend and tithing

[UteStar]

I have a good friend of mine that is a very strong mormon. But he is not afraid to do things the way he feels are right even if it does not exactly match up with mormon 'policy.'

He says that his brother is having a rough year (his brother owns a small business). They are waiting for paperwork to be signed to finish up a really nice deal for him, but it may take 3-6 months. His brother is in big financial distress waiting for this deal to be signed and is on the verge of losing his house. His brother did not want to go to the bishop to ask for help (I have no idea why and I didn't ask). So, my buddy says that he gave him $2500 to help save his house.

My friend said that was money for his tithing, but he had 'reassigned' it. His reasoning - if my brother can never pay it back, then it went to a great cause and he is 'square' with God and he considers himself a full tithe payer. If his brother can pay him back, then he will just turn that money around and give it back to the church as tithes. He considers that it is tithing put to good use to help his brother who is also helping building up the kingdom of God through church attendance, etc.

I just wished him and his brother luck. I thought about it - I am not sure if the church would agree (though I guess it doesn't matter because he believes that he is a full tithe payer, and that is his call)...but I am curious if God would agree. I know that my friend is a really good person. I am just wondering what others think - he may not be following the letter of the law in tithing, but I wonder if him doing this in the spirit of the law is just as good.

[Jacob]

Good for your friend. Of course "the church" wouldn't agree as they don't even use tithing dollars for such uses (that's fast offerings). However, "the church" used to a hundred years ago. OTOH, "the church" doesn't really care, it only wants to know if he considers himself a full tithe payer. As to whether God will agree, none of us can know. Until we die. Maybe.

[Green Monstah]

I have a good friend of mine that is a very strong mormon. But he is not afraid to do things the way he feels are right even if it does not exactly match up with mormon 'policy.'

He says that his brother is having a rough year (his brother owns a small business). They are waiting for paperwork to be signed to finish up a really nice deal for him, but it may take 3-6 months. His brother is in big financial distress waiting for this deal to be signed and is on the verge of losing his house. His brother did not want to go to the bishop to ask for help (I have no idea why and I didn't ask). So, my buddy says that he gave him $2500 to help save his house.

My friend said that was money for his tithing, but he had 'reassigned' it. His reasoning - if my brother can never pay it back, then it went to a great cause and he is 'square' with God and he considers himself a full tithe payer. If his brother can pay him back, then he will just turn that money around and give it back to the church as tithes. He considers that it is tithing put to good use to help his brother who is also helping building up the kingdom of God through church attendance, etc.

I just wished him and his brother luck. I thought about it - I am not sure if the church would agree (though I guess it doesn't matter because he believes that he is a full tithe payer, and that is his call)...but I am curious if God would agree. I know that my friend is a really good person. I am just wondering what others think - he may not be following the letter of the law in tithing, but I wonder if him doing this in the spirit of the law is just as good.

I asked a similar question a few months back. Someone posted a story (maybe by Heber J. Grant?) that essentially refuted the notion that your friend's donation counts as a substitute for tithing, but I think it's just fine.

[hostile]

I asked a similar question a few months back. Someone posted a story (maybe by Heber J. Grant?) that essentially refuted the notion that your friend's donation counts as a substitute for tithing, but I think it's just fine.

I think the reference is to Kimball or Lee who stated "You are being very generous with the Lord's money" (or something similar)

[jay santos]

When I was in young men's and spent significant dollars, I would just deduct it from my tithing.

[woot]

I think the reference is to Kimball or Lee who stated "You are being very generous with the Lord's money" (or something similar)

Speaking of entitlement issues...

[Viking]

Cue City Creek comment in 3...2...1

[CardiacCoug]

I think even a mullah could probably agree that paying $250 less in tithing (since the $2500 wasn't part of your increase -- you gave it away) would be justified but that's as far as the tithing deduction should go. I might take a "tithing deduction" but he's treating it as a "tithing credit."

[Jeff Lebowski]

Cue City Creek comment in 3...2...1

lol.

I have said before that the worst thing about the City Creek project is that it is now used ad nauseum as the ultimate bogey man in any discussion of church finances ("Well if they can afford billion dollar condos, then ...").

Hmm... That reminds me of an idea for a new thread.

[Indy Coug]

Giving freely of yourself AND setting up a "me versus the Church" situation? Sounds like a win-win.

[Moliere]

When I was in young men's and spent significant dollars, I would just deduct it from my tithing.

This is a tempting idea. I haven't needed it yet but it's tempting.

[Mormon Red Death]

lol.

I have said before that the worst thing about the City Creek project is that it is now used ad nauseum as the ultimate bogey man in any discussion of church finances ("Well if they can afford billion dollar condos, then ...").

Hmm... That reminds me of an idea for a new thread.

its just like the old comic line "they can put a man on the moon but they can't..."

[NorthwestUteFan]

its just like the old comic line "they can put a man on the moon but they can't..."

... put a man on Ellen Degeneres? (Sorry, lame tie in with another thread)

I say God will overlook his redirection of tithing. The church may not be so forgiving, but God wants us to take care of our families first.

[pellegrino]

Tithing seems to keep coming up in a lot of different conversations now. I think I've had four in the last week.

UteStar, Kimball quotes aside, I think your friend is in the right, or at least his heart is, and that's what God cares about.

I can't remember if we've discussed it here before, but what does everyone think about the actual wording of D&C 119:3-5? I'm particularly interested in knowing what people think of verse five and the concept of paying tithing on your surplus income, that is, after meeting your basic needs.

[Indy Coug]

Tithing seems to keep coming up in a lot of different conversations now. I think I've had four in the last week.

UteStar, Kimball quotes aside, I think your friend is in the right, or at least his heart is, and that's what God cares about.

I can't remember if we've discussed it here before, but what does everyone think about the actual wording of D&C 119:3-5? I'm particularly interested in knowing what people think of verse five and the concept of paying tithing on your surplus income, that is, after meeting your basic needs.

10% is the minimum threshold and we are repeatedly encouraged to give more, if we have the means. I think it's in line with the spirit of 119:3-5.