It’s reckless advice. Impoverished members being made to feel so guilty about struggling to pay what the Church demands, that they sell important family assets. Members will be ripping out gold teeth and cashing them in so that the hoard can grow even bigger.I recall a powerful experience I had many years ago that taught me how to put God first in my life. As a young married father, I was called to serve in a branch presidency. Elder Clinton L. Cutler of the Seventy came to speak to our branch. After the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with him.
Sensing that I had something on my mind, he asked, “Is there something bothering you?”
“Yes,” I replied, “I am having financial difficulties in my business. I have fallen behind in my payment of tithes and offerings.”
He then asked, “Do you have anything of value?”
I don’t recall what else he said. I pondered his question for many days. The only thing I had of value was a car that I needed in my efforts to grow my business. However, I concluded that I should at least make an effort to sell my car, so I cleaned and polished it and placed an ad to sell it.
I want to be clear that Elder Cutler did not ask me to sell my car. This came to me after pondering and desiring to put God first.
A few days later, a man came to the house to see the car. He seemed interested; he drove it and came back to discuss the details. He gave me his business card, and I realized he represented a car dealership. I was nervous about what would surely happen next—the haggling back and forth over the price.
He asked me, “How much do you want for the car?”
I told him I needed a precise amount. I had calculated what I needed to pay off the loan on the car and pay my tithing.
He then said very calmly, “OK, I will come back in a few days with a check.”
He thanked me and left. I could not believe it. No arguing, no haggling, no negotiating.
A few days later, he came back with a check for the amount I had requested. I was surprised and amazed as he drove off with the car. I deposited the check and paid my tithing.
As I contemplated what had occurred, I realized that I did not have a car to continue with my business. While I was thinking about what to do, a friend called me and said, “Jorge, you like my car, don’t you?” At that point I would have liked any car! He reminded me that his wife was having twins and that he needed to buy a larger vehicle and wondered if I would be willing to take over his car payments. It was a miracle!
In terms of the anecdote. He had to sell his car as he couldn’t afford to pay tithing, sells the car and pays his backdated tithing, and then takes on new monthly car payments… so the other message is - go into debt to catch your tithing up. What a reckless talk.
