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All the years I paid tithing never instilled a sense of charitable accomplishment in me. It did, however, reinforce my sense of duty to the cause. I fully understood that the purpose of the tithe was to build God's kingdom and not to feed the hungry. But at the same time, I felt I had spent enough money on a selfless cause that I was justified. The Water For People bucket would come around the office and I would often ignore it thinking, I have already paid over $800 this month on tithing, that is enough. I recall the Utah office would usually lose in our worldwide company charity campaigns. Maybe other Mormons felt the same way I did?

There was always a little whisper in the back of my mind. It would come like a quiet breeze. "You aren't being very charitable." Maybe it was King Benjamin speaking from the dust? Maybe it was my ancestor calling from his United Order grave. But I had the comfort of the Brethren and the Institution. They had my back. They were pleased with me for paying tithing on gross income. It felt right and I was pacified.

I got another shot of validation every March when I filed my taxes and documented my relatively enormous charitable contribution.

Now I'm left wondering, what did I learn after all these years of paying tithing? Did I learn to be more giving? Or, did I simply become more aware of my sense of duty?

It feels very charitable to me, and it is an extremely good (in my opinion) object lesson about the importance of giving for my daughters.

Simon Belmont wrote:It feels very charitable to me, and it is an extremely good (in my opinion) object lesson about the importance of giving for my daughters.

Not really, if you are required to "give" (God commands it), it's not really "charitable".

zeezrom wrote:Now I'm left wondering, what did I learn after all these years of paying tithing? Did I learn to be more giving? Or, did I simply become more aware of my sense of duty?

This is a good thread, Zeezrom. My answer to your question is this - DID you learn to give more? Or are you performing a duty to another god that has taken Heavenly Father's place?

Where did God say to ignore the poor?

harmony wrote:Where did God say to ignore the poor?

The LDS church does not ignore the poor. Many poor Mormons do quite well with church help. Not to mention the money that goes into help relief for victims of nature.

zeezrom wrote:All the years I paid tithing never instilled a sense of charitable accomplishment in me. It did, however, reinforce my sense of duty to the cause. I fully understood that the purpose of the tithe was to build God's kingdom and not to feed the hungry. But at the same time, I felt I had spent enough money on a selfless cause that I was justified. The Water For People bucket would come around the office and I would often ignore it thinking, I have already paid over $800 this month on tithing, that is enough.

You could have dropped a fiver or a sawbuck into the bucket. It was your choice. Tithing goes for a certain purpose. It helps wards, branches, stakes, regions function well. Now Mormons also pay a fast offering. And that money goes to the poor. Without tithing money, what would support the daily upkeep of the church's meeting houses and temples and their daily or weekly needs?

I remember a couple of years ago, a young man burnt down a church meeting house. The church did not press for damages of the young person involved and paid for the new building in cash. Maybe your tithe helped that to happen.

1 Iron wrote:DID you learn to give more? Or are you performing a duty to another god that has taken Heavenly Father's place?

I pay my respects to Athena. You might think I'm joking but she really is my God.

zeezrom wrote:I got another shot of validation every March when I filed my taxes and documented my relatively enormous charitable contribution.

Question (not aimed specifically at you Z, but to the board in general since you made this point):

If it's true charity, then shouldn't it be about truly giving of yourself, weakening thyself (monetarily or whatever) as a sacrifice to help others? If you write the "gift" off on your taxes and expect it back as a tax rebate or to help offset other income taxes then aren't you (or anyone) simply channeling other people's money to the charity by governmental proxy?

1 Iron wrote:DID you learn to give more? Or are you performing a duty to another god that has taken Heavenly Father's place?

Oh, I need to tell you one more thing. I hope you're listening!

I learned how to be closed minded and hearted in some ways as a believing Mormon. Paying tithing made me jaded a little, I'm afraid. I didn't ever recognize it until now. I admit it. I was so busy making the magical man with a beard in the sky happy that I totally forgot about the people around me sometimes. Now, I realize I'm exaggerating somewhat here, but the point remains. I was taught for 20 years how to give through my tithing funds. I was taught there is ONE WAY to do it, under a single institution. Are you listening to me 1 iron?

Do you think it is easy to overcome the ill effects of Mormon charitable giving after 20 years of it? I have hope that my heart can be softened and I can open my mind more and more as the years away from the church pass by me. Let the healing begin!