Missionary Funds and Tithing--Separate?
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:46 pm
I just got put on a major guilt-trip in Elder's Quorum today about missionary funds. I was told that tithing funds only cover building expenses, not missionary work. But I know for a fact that tithing money is also used to fund church schools (or at least it was). Is it really true that tithing money do not help fund missionary work?
Yes, I know I'm a greedy, miserly, and probably lack faith in blessings from sacrifice, but I just don't see why I should be expected to dig into my retirement funds in order to support ward missionaries? I mean, my parents paid for 5 sons, and even had 3 out simultaneously for a while. Tithing is already very difficult for me, and Uncle Sam isn't letting up in the tax department. Something has to give, and my wife isn't going to move back out of a house so we can quit worrying about the mortgage. We don't go on fancy vacations and only have one car (which we've had since we were married half a decade ago). Something in my equation has to give way, and I'm sorry but since I can't give less taxes and I can't give less tithing, other charitable contributions are going to have to suffer. I mean I really think that digging into retirement is the wrong decision.
We also got a gult-trip about fast offerings. I feel little better about those tough. I know fast offerings go to good use paying rent, utilities, and helping with food or getting counseling. I was ward clerk and helped write those checks. I know those things are expensive, especially rent which costs lots more than a couple of meals.
Helping someone in a one-time deal is one thing (not that I'm good at it either), but having to shell out lots of cash month after month is another thing. Unless you want to support me in retirement, I really think that it's better to let me get some savings going so I can be more self-sufficient when that time comes, or even if I hit stormy times myself.
[/rant]
Yes, I know I'm a greedy, miserly, and probably lack faith in blessings from sacrifice, but I just don't see why I should be expected to dig into my retirement funds in order to support ward missionaries? I mean, my parents paid for 5 sons, and even had 3 out simultaneously for a while. Tithing is already very difficult for me, and Uncle Sam isn't letting up in the tax department. Something has to give, and my wife isn't going to move back out of a house so we can quit worrying about the mortgage. We don't go on fancy vacations and only have one car (which we've had since we were married half a decade ago). Something in my equation has to give way, and I'm sorry but since I can't give less taxes and I can't give less tithing, other charitable contributions are going to have to suffer. I mean I really think that digging into retirement is the wrong decision.
We also got a gult-trip about fast offerings. I feel little better about those tough. I know fast offerings go to good use paying rent, utilities, and helping with food or getting counseling. I was ward clerk and helped write those checks. I know those things are expensive, especially rent which costs lots more than a couple of meals.
Helping someone in a one-time deal is one thing (not that I'm good at it either), but having to shell out lots of cash month after month is another thing. Unless you want to support me in retirement, I really think that it's better to let me get some savings going so I can be more self-sufficient when that time comes, or even if I hit stormy times myself.
[/rant]