Another tithing question

[Anonymous]

Wow…just wow.

I was more TBM than I thought. I paid the 10% probably more for the #1 reason. I did it because the Lord said to do it in Malachi and so that was good enough for me. I want to continue paying because things have always worked out for us while paying tithing and I have always attributed that to the blessings that are to be poured out upon you.

But here is my quandry. I write out the tithing checks and then they sit on my desk until I know that the account is balanced and that we are not going to end up short. Maybe that is a lack of faith in some way… So then reading all of this and finding that it is the Christmas season so my bank account is in the red anyway I don’t really have an “increase” this month. So that would mean that I wouldn’t pay anymore for the rest of this month since I paid earlier this month and the rest of this month is SHOT.

But I am scared. If I don’t pay the last few hundred in tithing does that mean my check book is going to be screwed up and I will bounce crap all over the place? Will the Lord be upset with me?

[Anonymous]

Butters wrote:

Wow…just wow.

So then reading all of this and finding that it is the Christmas season so my bank account is in the red anyway I don’t really have an “increase” this month. So that would mean that I wouldn’t pay anymore for the rest of this month since I paid earlier this month and the rest of this month is SHOT.

I wasn’t suggesting that necessarily. In fact, I don’t think I even said what my interpretation is, just that all of the factors above went into my own personal view of tithing for now.

Quote:

But I am scared. If I don’t pay the last few hundred in tithing does that mean my check book is going to be screwed up and I will bounce crap all over the place? Will the Lord be upset with me?

The fact that you’re asking that question “will the Lord be upset with me?” tells me you haven’t yet reached that place of personal peace with however you arrive at your tithing. So, you should keep thinking about it, reading about it, and then arriving at what feels right — which may mean 10% of gross to you. I wouldn’t rule that out. I see this is as a very personal decision, now. I have made my own peace with it for the time being through that process. Talking about it here really helped me, as well as my own study of GA talks, the doctrine and covenants (a huge player in my thinking) and some private messages people sent me when I voiced concerns in this forum.

[Anonymous]

((((BUTTERS)))))

Fear is not of God. At least not in my heart and mind. So I agree with SD, keep thinking and praying about this issue. I remember a post either here or at NOM where the OP (original poster) said her therapist told her to try to do something she normally feared and then observe the result. I think this particular fear had to do with buying something on the sabbath. The OP expressed her surprise when lightning didn’t strike her dead and she was better able to reason out (and feel) for herself what was good and right for her to do. This is the approach I am taking with tithing. At this point my dh is paying what he feels is best on his income and I am taking 10% of mine and putting it in fast offerings. Though from some of the reading I’ve been doing lately I’m not sure that is a better place but it feels good right now.

Fear, though motivational, is hard on our spirits and our bodies.

CG

[Anonymous]

Butters wrote:

But I am scared. If I don’t pay the last few hundred in tithing does that mean my check book is going to be screwed up and I will bounce crap all over the place? Will the Lord be upset with me?

This is the difference between Santa and Jesus. Santa checks his list and marks it twice to see if you are naughty or nice, Jesus KNOWS that YOU ARE GOOD. :angel:

SilentDawning wrote:

Learning to love yourself in spite of what the world does to you is part of keeping this “second estate” of our earthly existence it seems….

I sometime revel in uncondidional love assisted by inspired music. I had always imagined God the Father to be speaking in this first one.

I love you more than the sun

And the stars that I taught how to shine

You are mine, and you shine for me too

I love you yesterday and today

And tomorrow, I’ll say it again and again

I love you more

Just a face in the city

Just a tear on a crowded street

But you are one in a million

And you belong to Me

And I want you to know

That I’m not letting go

Even when you come undone

“More” by Mathew West

In this final song I imagine Jesus Christ to be speaking:

I Know your hunger, Know your pain,

I’ve seen your sacrifice for my name

I’ve seen your sorrow for the choices you’ve made

But I feel your broken heart and I see,

The light in your eyes, in your life, in your soul.

So search your heart, you’ll find me there

I’ve heard your anguish, and every prayer

My love for you, will never end-

You’re still my servant, still my friend

Still my servant, still my friend.

“Still My Servant, Still My Friend” By Brett Raymond

Tom wrote:

You don’t have to prove yourself to the Lord. You don’t have to prove yourself to yourself, and you don’t have to prove yourself to the great heavenly throng. You are free to find and follow the great plan of happiness, wherever and whatever that may be. You and God are on the same team (says Brian).

Your decision to pay or not will not change how He feels about you.

[Anonymous]

I used to pay tithing because of reason #1, Now I find myself paying, “My share of the upkeep.” Having just reciently learned, of the huge salories of GA’s, I feel even less inclinded to help “them” keep one hand on the Temple and the other on Babalyon!

f4h1

PS Merry Christmas ya’ll!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Canada-

I think that what you said is a great idea. I am normally one to try something I am afraid of so I can overcome the fear. I guess this is one of those things. I will give it a try.

Then I will pray about it and figure out what I am comfortable with and what I think the Lord is going to approve of. But since he doesn’t seem to answer me directly….

[Anonymous]

Quote:

But since he doesn’t seem to answer me directly….

You are left to worship according to the dictates of your own conscience.

We grant that privilege to those outside the Church, but the Article of Faith says we believe it extends to ALL – which would include those inside the Church, as well.

That’s extremely important to remember, imo.

[Author]

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