Tithing

 

Tithing

 

Tithing – Tithe – A 10^th part of one’s income contributed voluntarily for charity or due as a tax for the support of the church.

Income – Money or its equivalent received in the return from work, from a business, or as profit from investments.

Interest – A claim of legal share in something. Return on invested capital.

Surplus – An amount or quantity beyond what is needed or used; excess. Properties – Something owned, especially real estate. The exclusive right to own something; ownership. The character, trait, quality or attribute. Joseph Smith commands us to tithe 10% of our interest annually, and of our surplus properties. I looked up the following and nowhere under the definition of invest, surplus or properties did I find any of the following.

D&C see 119. Do we tithe from monies from our pre-tax income or our after tax income. What if we take a loss in our business, our investments, do we factor that against our income or our annual gain? Do we tithe 10% only after our surplus thus taking into account our expenses?

 

What do the scriptures tell us about tithing?

 

Malachi 3:8-10 – “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

I believe it is clear here that we are to give; it doesn’t say how much but it states we are to give.

 

Let’s look more – Leviticus 27:30-33 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. ³¹ Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. ³² Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. ³³ No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.

 

A tithe of everything from the land, belongs to the Lord. If a man redeems any of his tithes he must add a fifth value to it. The entire tithe of the herd and flock every 10^th animal will be holy to the Lord.

Redeem – to regain possession of by paying a specified sum. To pay off. To turn in and receive something in exchange.

 

Everything – all factors or things that exist or are pertinent.

 

Genesis 14:20 – Then Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.

Genesis 28:22 – All that you give me I will give you a tenth.

Deuteronomy 26:12 – When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 

2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Corinthians 16:2 – On the first day of the week each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Alma 13:5 – even our father Abraham paid tithes of one tenth of all he possessed.

 

What have we learned about tithing and what has God instituted and what has man instituted. It is abundantly clear to me that we are called to tithe to bring about the furtherance of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. It is also clear to me that we are required to cheerfully set aside for the building of his kingdom one tenth of that which we possess for the offering of sacrifices equally from the land or from our flock.

 

Since most of us don’t have land, fruit or flocks the Lord requests we offer one tenth of our annual interest or surplus properties

 

In the Old Testament times we were to give one tenth of everything. I do believe we are to give annually. Looking at all of this and looking up the words I have concluded that for me and my house that I will cheerfully live as instructed by God.

 

I will give one tenth of my annual interest and one tenth of my annual surplus.

 

No-where in the bible does it mention the word wage or income.

Wage – remuneration for labor or services. A fitting return for a just desert.

 

Income – money or its equivalent received in return for work, from a business or as a profit from an investment.

 

Giving one tenth of our annual income and or wage is a man-made command.

 

In the old days men tended to their herds (flocks), tilled the soil (farmed), planted fruit tree’s etc. They also performed labor for hire, they made things. Isn’t it interesting that God only mentions fruits, foods, flocks, grains, oils etc?

 

There is no mention of one tenth of their wage. He also makes it very clear that we are to give one tenth of everything.

 

What is everything?

 

Our homes, our possessions, our monies, our investments – what?

 

Joseph Smith told us to give of our surplus, properties and our interest.

 

Again no mention of income.

 

No mention of pre-tax or after tax, losses due to bad investments. I guess if you had bad year farming, tending to your vineyards or trees or all your flocks were destroyed, you would not have one tenth to give.

 

It would fluctuate year by year depending on your success.

 

Is it practical to give one tenth of everything – I don’t think so.

 

What about gains or losses on paper but not realized. In the stock market we make investments, year in and year out we have unrealized gains and losses. In other words they are still investments, un-liquidated. These should not be counted in.

 

Only realized gains and losses and then only after taxes which are paid to the government can we give of our surplus.

 

We can’t give what we don’t have, if the government levies a tax on our wages or income it is therefore not all ours only a portion of it is ours, the balance is due to our king and ruler, the government.

Tax – a payment imposed upon a person or group for government support. A place or tax on income property or goods for the use and benefit of the government or a king. To make excessive demand on.

 

Impose – to enact or apply as compulsory. To obtrude or force. To take unfair advantage.

 

Compulsory – using or exerting compulsion; coercive. Mandatory.

 

Compulsion – the act of compelling or the state of being compelled.

 

Compel – to constrain, force.

 

Force – to open or break down by force. Energy or strong power. The use of such power. A group organized or available for a certain purpose. To move something or somebody against resistance, push. To inflict or impose one’s will.

 

Obtrude – to thrust oneself or one’s ideas on without invitation.

 

Jesus Christ tells us to pay Caesar what is Caesar’s

 

Matthew 22:21 – Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.

 

Paying taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15-22

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. ¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. ¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, ²⁰ and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

²² When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

We are required to pay taxes as told to us by Jesus Christ.

 

Article of Faith #13 – We believe in being subject to Kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates in obeying, honoring and sustaining the Law.

 

The law of the Lord requires us to pay taxes, we are obligated, and we have no choice in the matter. Taxes are imposed on us, we are compelled even forced to pay them under the threat of imprisonment. Therefore the monies we receive after paying the taxes can be considered our true wage or income. I will pay tithing on my true wage or income and then only after I factor in my realized gains or losses from my investments.

 

Tithe Equation

Gross Income – Taxes = Net Income

Investments + realized gains – realized losses = Net realized gains or losses.

Net income + Net realized gains or losses = Net gain (interest or surplus) x .10 = Tithe

 

Factoring in business gains or losses. I believe for the purpose of tithing one should factor in net gains or losses from a business venture if monies have been received or monies have been paid out as a result of that business venture. Monies received – taxes = additional income and should be counted in gross income. Monies spent or invested in the business that depleted one’s investment thus incurring a gain or loss in that investment or savings should be realized as a net gain or loss in investments if the money originated there. If we put money into our business which came from our personal investments and we experienced a realized gain or loss against those investments that should be calculated in. There is to be no carry forward of gains or losses in a prior year on a future year, each year stands on its own. Each year should be viewed independent of any other year.

 

Why do I even look into this because I was confused by the Law of Tithing as it related to me and my family.

 

I know that God and Jesus Christ are the same, yesterday, today and forever –

 

Hebrews 13:8 – and God is not a God of confusion. D&C 132:8 – behold my house is a house of order, saith the Lord God and not a house of confusion. In Nephi 2:4 – we see the spirit is the same yesterday today and forever. D&C 20:12 – Same God, yesterday, today and forever. I did not want to be deceived by the precepts of men. God has told us to be careful to obey his word and not be deceived by the unlawfulness of men. Romans 16:17-19 – A warning not to be deceived he said watch out, men will put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teachings you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving the Lord. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve men. Ephesians 5:6 – Let no man deceive you with empty words. In James 1:22 – we are told do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself, do what it says.

 

When we are in confusion as to what the word of God is saying to us, he asks us to pray receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit and he will answer and hear our prayers.

 

Moroni 10:4 – we are assured the truth will be known to us if we ask our Father, with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith, he told us he would manifest the truth by the power of the Holy Spirit unto us. James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.

 

I have struggled for years to know the truth of God’s words where it came to the Law of Tithing. No man has given me a satisfactory explanation and that is because I looked to man for an explanation. When I searched the scriptures, prayed for wisdom not to be deceived by men and to bring to light the truth of tithing as God had commanded us, I arrived at the equation as I stated earlier.

 

Thessalonians 5:16 – Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ.

 

I find peace and joy in the conclusion brought forth to me by supplication and prayer, through the instruction and guidance of the Holy Spirit to my brother Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father I have heard you and do as thy will. In all things I must obey the commandments and commands of our Heavenly Father. When I sin I need to ask him for forgiveness.

My sins affect my tithe.

 

In Malachi 3:8 – we are called not to rob God of our tithes and offerings.

 

When we sin against God we are required to ask forgiveness and forsake that which has caused us to sin. If we do this and repent of our sins, our sins will be forgiven.

 

Unfortunately there are consequences imposed on us by God and man.

 

Many of these consequences will affect our income and our wage, our increase and our surplus.

 

Is this God’s fault? Certainly not!

 

However it impacts his kingdom here on earth. A consequence of sin robs God of the unobstructed furtherance of his will and purpose, which is to bring about eternal salvation to all mankind.

 

We all make mistakes, only Jesus was perfect.

 

Each of us must admit the folly of our ways (our sins) (confess) and ask for forgiveness.

 

Heavenly Father has said “Go and sin no more, your sins have been forgiven”.

 

In summary – I will pay tithes according to my net realized gain in income and wages from labor, investments or business ventures. I will impart to the storehouse of the Lord that which I am requested to submit. I will not be deceived by man into believing otherwise. I have counseled with spirit and this has what I have been instructed to do. I have sinned causing a reduction in the Lord’s storehouse and an obstruction to his purpose and plan however I have been forgiven and will not carry the guilt of my transgression around my neck like a mill stone. I will find joy in everything!

 

As for me and my house, we choose to serve and be obedient to our Lord and Savior and not man!

 

Thank you Lord for this guidance, insight into the further light and truth of your instruction. My soul is delighted to finally have come to this realization and I commit to you today and follow your words and commands. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, I love you Lord. I am your servant and steward of all you created!

 

Steward – one who manages another’s financial affairs or property. A person responsible for the household affairs of a large institution, as in an estate.

 

Storehouse – a building for the storage of goods, warehouse. An abundant source or supply.

 

There is no mention in the bible in reference to stewards or stewardship or storehouse.

 

D&C 78:22 – he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. D&C 101:90 – and in his hot displeasure and in his fierce anger, in his time, will cut off the wicked, unfaithful and unjust stewards and appoint them portions among the hypocrites and unbelievers. D&C 104:13 – Lord should make every man accountable as a steward over earthly blessings which I have made and prepared for my creatures. D&C 104:54-57 – commandment concerning stewardship – Behold all these properties are mine.

 

Servant. Are we God’s servants? No!

 

John 15:15 – I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his masters business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my father I have given you. This is Jesus speaking. We are no longer to be called servants of God but friends of God.

Matthew 20:26-28 – Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave. Just as the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

Ransom – The release of a detained person or property in return for payment. The price demanded or payment made.

 

I was trying to make a biblical connection to tithing and stewardship of those earthly possessions that the Lord has put in our care. One cannot be found.

 

Law of Moses. I was speaking with someone regarding the law of tithing asking him for his opinion on the subject and he made an interesting comment. He asked me if I was living under the law? I asked what law? He replied the Law of Moses? I indicated I was not. He indicated that the law of tithing was instituted under Levitical law or the Law of Moses and as a result of the new covenant we are no longer subjects or servants to the Law of Moses.

 

Matthew 5:17 – Do you think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:18 – Will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 7:12 – So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you for this sums up the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:40 – All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments – love God, love neighbor. John 1:17 – For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth come through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4 – For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under Grace. Romans 7:6 – But now by dying to what once bound us we have been released from the law so that we serve in a new way of the spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 8:3 – For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own son in the likeness of the sinful man to be a sin offering. Romans 10:4 – Christ is the end of the law so that there might be righteousness for everyone who believes.