Tithing never felt charitable to me

[_Buffalo]

Tithing is charity in the same way that giving 1/10 of your income to Goldman Sachs is charity - at least if you're giving tithing to the LDS church. Other churches take a more Christian approach to spending the money donated to them by their adherents.

[_Jason Bourne]

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?

Always did and still does feel charitable to me. I know we have debated whether tithing is really a charitable gift or not. But I give to support the LDS Church in it operations and activities. Yes I get some benefit as well since I use its facilities and activities.

But I still think it is charitable.

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

Really? So if you give $1000 to your local food pantry and deduct it on your tax return do you feel less charitable over that one. Or how about the Red Cross, United Way or any other charity you support? Do you deduct those contributions on your tax return?

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?

Personally I think I give more because tithing has taught me to give. I give to a lot of other charities as well. I believe if I did not tithe to the LDS Church I would give that amount elsewhere. I think this has been ingrained in me because of tithing.

[_harmony]

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.

You didn't answer my question. Where does God say to ignore the poor? Because until you can show where God says to ignore the poor, you can't justify spending tithes on buildings.

[_Jason Bourne]

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

The New Testament commands to be charitable, to feed the poor and so on. So if I am a Christian and the teachings of the NY motivate me to give to my food pantry is it no longer charitable because I am motivated by what I believe God commands?

Of course not.

[_harmony]

So if you give $1000 to your local food pantry and deduct it on your tax return do you feel less charitable over that one. Or how about the Red Cross, United Way or any other charity you support?

After the mandatory 10% to the church, very few families have any disposable income left over to be able to give to any other charity.

[_Simon Belmont]

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

2 points:

You aren't required to pay tithing.

God commands us to love one another, too. Does that make love not important?

[_Jason Bourne]

You didn't answer my question. Where does God say to ignore the poor? Because until you can show where God says to ignore the poor, you can't justify spending tithes on buildings.

While feeding the poor is certainly charitable it is not the only thing we can do that qualifies as a charitable act or donation. Many other such things can be considered charitable.

Also the fact the the government subsidizes a portion of my charitable giving and I decide to take advantage of it in no wise makes what I give non Charitable. At least for now the US Government views it as good public policy to give some tax benefit for charitable giving.

Some may par back giving if they did not have the deduction. Personally though I would not.

[_harmony]

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

2 points:

You aren't required to pay tithing.

Members are required to pay tithing. Maybe Redefined isn't required to pay tithing, but you are and I am and so is Liz and Jason and anyone else here who is LDS.

God commands us to love one another, too. Does that make love not important?

Don't ever confuse God with the Brethren. Love is secondary to money, for the Brethren.

[_Simon Belmont]

Members are required to pay tithing. Maybe Redefined isn't required to pay tithing, but you are and I am and so is Liz and Jason and anyone else here who is LDS.

No, they aren't. I'm not required to pay tithing.

[_zeezrom]

No, they aren't. I'm not required to pay tithing.

You aren't required to obey the Law of Chastity or WoW either.