Does anyone honest to goodness tithe?

[winkers]

It is true for the LDS Church. I worked near Mesa, AZ (the second largest LDS community in the US) and became friends with LDS members. They all told me you had to show you IRS tax return and pay your 10%. They would let you slide a few years, but you needed to make up that money when you got back on your feet.

I find that interesting since I am LDS and have never had anyone ask to see my IRS tax return. In fact I'm in tears from laughing so hard at that! No one ever asks how much we make! And to the poster who said we pay it blindly, I find that laughable also. I pay my tithing like any other christian because I made a covenat with the Lord that I would. Simple as that. And for anyone who is wondering, no mormon's don't have horns or multiple wives as HBO would like you to believe!

 

[winkers]

a friend of mine is Mormon, and they blindly tithe because it makes them 'temple worthy'. they even get a card to present to be allowed in.

the LDS won't send them a financial statement regarding how they appropriate their tithe. but they own their own TV production company.

it sounds like a tax-free way to beam your message out and spread your word. the more new members, the faster the cash flows in.

Sorry but for LDS members, there is more to temple worthiness than paying tithing.

 

[jimmiej]

I find that interesting since I am LDS and have never had anyone ask to see my IRS tax return. In fact I'm in tears from laughing so hard at that! No one ever asks how much we make! And to the poster who said we pay it blindly, I find that laughable also. I pay my tithing like any other christian because I made a covenat with the Lord that I would. Simple as that. And for anyone who is wondering, no mormon's don't have horns or multiple wives as HBO would like you to believe!

Thank you for clarifying, & I apologize if I was offensive in my comments. Still waiting for clarification on Saddleback.

 

[winkers]

Thank you for clarifying, & I apologize if I was offensive in my comments. Still waiting for clarification on Saddleback.

I wasn't offended, but thank you for being courteous! I find that there are alot of misconceptions about my faith, as with alot of others.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I find that interesting since I am LDS and have never had anyone ask to see my IRS tax return. In fact I'm in tears from laughing so hard at that! No one ever asks how much we make! And to the poster who said we pay it blindly, I find that laughable also. I pay my tithing like any other christian because I made a covenat with the Lord that I would. Simple as that. And for anyone who is wondering, no mormon's don't have horns or multiple wives as HBO would like you to believe!

Have you seen Big Love? The show makes it VERY clear that polygamy is outside the policies of the LDS

 

[Aidensmom]

I have belonged to a church that followed the Willowcreek model and used the same type of covenants. The only thing required for membership was belief in Jesus Christ as Savior. Tithing was encouraged and preached about, but it was not a membership requirement, just the same as it is at many Protestant churches. Of course I have not been a memeber at Saddleback or Willowcreek, but I am doubtful that they REQUIRE tithing. While I don't really like the churches like this once they become huge mega-churches as I just don't like big churches, they do have some great characteristics, such as being accepting of anyone just as they are. As that would be contradictory with requiring tithing for membership, I have a very hard time believing that to be true.

Wikipedia is editable by anyone. It is not always the most reliable source for 100% fact.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Wikipedia is editable by anyone. It is not always the most reliable source for 100% fact.

ITA... trust it as 100% true and eventually you'll get burned. I find that in using wikipedia it always helps me to match up what I am reading with what sounds logical or reasonable.

 

[cardaway]

I can't wait to see how the fools who think I would post something I can't back up will try and twist this one. Is Mr. Kampert a liar too?

http://www.saddleback.com/flash/s_PDFs/ChicagoTribuneLivingwithpurpose42504.pdf

See the fifth paragraph under the heading of "An action plan".

He makes it very clear they follow the bible, and the bible says it has to be 10% does it not? It's a membership requirement - right there in black and white.

 

[lori1043]

I suppose I'm one of the misguided on this Earth (as opposed to other Earths, I guess.)

The gifts you received didn't actually get sent from heaven (no UPS store there), and they aren't literally straight from God. The gifts you received came from people who donated their time and money...people like me, who you chose to insult.

I'm glad that you got help when you needed it, but not too impressed by your refusal to admit that you have PEOPLE to thank, as well as God.

I am sorry you feel that I insulted you. But the gifts I was given were from GOD. This offends every piece of me that you say they were only from PEOPLE. God made us-all of us, even you. If he works through you in giving of yourself, then it was God gven, not you-whether you beleive that or not.
I have every reason to be thankful to people- I HAVE and STILL am thankful to the people who got us though this-her doctor, whose GOD given smarts helped out, the nurses, whose love and attention to detail gave us some peace, the millions who donate to charities like Make a Wish and ACA and LLS and our community children's organizations who helped us get through many hard years. I don't remember saying I didn't have people to thank. I TOTALLY think that YES ,it is people who carry out the deed, but it is God who puts in in his heart, whetheer he knows it or not.
I do not know what other "earths" you are talking about.

And, oh , I am sorry, if you know anything about childhood cancer, not all are healed, some die. There is no rhyme or reason or human understanding of why one dies and the other lives-even if they had the same treatment for the same type of cancer-so, for me, I give GOD the Glory-He could have chosen to take her back. The people carried out the plan, but ultimately HE is in charge.



I am very sorry to those who I have insulted. I am not real good at understanding things like atheism and non believers, nor do I want to. I did not appreciate the tearing down of my beliefs, though. My beliefs are strong and I feel blessed for them and thought I would share with the rest. I will not be back. My gift to you-Merry CHRISTmas.

 

[Aidensmom]

I can't wait to see how the fools who think I would post something I can't back up will try and twist this one. Is Mr. Kampert a liar too?

http://www.saddleback.com/flash/s_PDFs/ChicagoTribuneLivingwithpurpose42504.pdf

See the fifth paragraph under the heading of "An action plan".

He makes it very clear they follow the bible, and the bible says it has to be 10% does it not? It's a membership requirement - right there in black and white.

Tithing is an Old Testament ideology, and that is why there is controversy over whether there should be tithing among Christians.

I just looked at Saddleback's website, and that of the local church I used to attend, and they are almost identical in what they state as beliefs and values. I do know that at my local church, you pledge to strive to tithe when you become a member, and I lean towards the belief that Saddleback does the same thing. Pledging to try to tithe, and having your tax forms verified to make sure are two completely different things. I still don't think they require tithing, only a promise that you will try. Like I said, I don't have personal experience with Saddlebrook or Willowcreek themselves, but I do with an associated church. Feel free to call me a liar if you wish.

As far as the question the OP asked, I have at times monetarily tithed, sometimes more than tithed, and sometimes less. However, I hold the belief that tithing isn't always money, and when it is money it isn't always directly to their church. I think people can also tithe with their time, and someone who cannot afford to give a lot of money can devote time to various ministries within the church, and also I think they can give their money directly to various ministries and charities outside of their church, all of which I have done at various times also.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I am sorry you feel that I insulted you. But the gifts I was given were from GOD. This offends every piece of me that you say they were only from PEOPLE. God made us-all of us, even you. If he works through you in giving of yourself, then it was God gven, not you-whether you beleive that or not.
I have every reason to be thankful to people- I HAVE and STILL am thankful to the people who got us though this-her doctor, whose GOD given smarts helped out, the nurses, whose love and attention to detail gave us some peace, the millions who donate to charities like Make a Wish and ACA and LLS and our community children's organizations who helped us get through many hard years. I don't remember saying I didn't have people to thank. I TOTALLY think that YES ,it is people who carry out the deed, but it is God who puts in in his heart, whetheer he knows it or not.
I do not know what other "earths" you are talking about.

And, oh , I am sorry, if you know anything about childhood cancer, not all are healed, some die. There is no rhyme or reason or human understanding of why one dies and the other lives-even if they had the same treatment for the same type of cancer-so, for me, I give GOD the Glory-He could have chosen to take her back. The people carried out the plan, but ultimately HE is in charge.



I am very sorry to those who I have insulted. I am not real good at understanding things like atheism and non believers, nor do I want to. I did not appreciate the tearing down of my beliefs, though. My beliefs are strong and I feel blessed for them and thought I would share with the rest. I will not be back. My gift to you-Merry CHRISTmas.

OK, now God, in addition to his monopoly intervention, has saved your daughter from cancer. But he lets other people's kids die.

I am so very sick and tired of people deciding that they are so flippin special that God selected them to bless with His grace. You aren't that special. God doesn't like you better. Your kid isn't any better than any other kid with cancer, and didn't deserve to live anymore than any other kid did. And God didn't say, "Well, I like little Ashley, so I'll save her life...but little Kaitlyn, well, I don't like her, so I'll send her pain and let her die."

What you are isn't blessed. What you are is lucky.

 

[jimmiej]

The link does give considerable credence to the poster's claim, I admit, & I apologize for assuming there was no proof forthcoming. However, it doesn't answer the question of what happens if a member fails to tithe. Is membership revoked? If not, then can it be considered a requirement? The article does not state that every member tithes. How does the church monitor this? Are financial records requested? Is the church looking for "giving generously" or must it be an actual tithe? If Saddleback has all it's thousands of members tithing, that would be astonishing & a real testament to RW's leadership!

FWIW, my church asks new members to sign a pledge to "give generously & regularly" (we emphasize the Biblical tithe), but it is not monitored unless a member seeks a leadership position. I know this because my wife is the financial secretary.

 

[Glendamax]

But the gifts I was given were from GOD. This offends every piece of me that you say they were only from PEOPLE. God made us-all of us, even you. If he works through you in giving of yourself, then it was God gven, not you-whether you beleive that or not.

My beliefs are strong and I feel blessed for them and thought I would share with the rest. I will not be back. My gift to you-Merry CHRISTmas.

Sorry that you will not be back, because I agree with you. Like you, I know that God works through people, and that I have been given gifts from God. I hope that you have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

 

[Aidensmom]

OK, now God, in addition to his monopoly intervention, has saved your daughter from cancer. But he lets other people's kids die.

I am so very sick and tired of people deciding that they are so flippin special that God selected them to bless with His grace. You aren't that special. God doesn't like you better. Your kid isn't any better than any other kid with cancer, and didn't deserve to live anymore than any other kid did. And God didn't say, "Well, I like little Ashley, so I'll save her life...but little Kaitlyn, well, I don't like her, so I'll send her pain and let her die."

What you are isn't blessed. What you are is lucky.

Wow.

I believe sometimes God performs miracles. It doesn't mean any human is "flippin special", it means God is. I also believe that we as humans aren't always capable of understanding the reasons of why everything that happens in this world does, but I can't imagine trampling all over someone's emotions because their child survived and others didn't, whatever that survival is attributed to. We are all BLESSED to have a life to begin with, some of them are just shorter than others.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I think Kampert spins things just a bit. But my orginal doubt still stands. I say that there is no possible way that Saddleback or any church can hold its members to a strict tithe without collecting W-2s etc. I think the information taken from Saddleback's own website and quoted here on response #246 is the church's stance on things. I say no way has anyone ever been kicked out of Warren's church for not giving 10% of their income.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Wow.

I believe sometimes God performs miracles. It doesn't mean any human is "flippin special", it means God is. I also believe that we as humans aren't always capable of understanding the reasons of why everything that happens in this world does, but I can't imagine trampling all over someone's emotions because their child survived and others didn't, whatever that survival is attributed to. We are all BLESSED to have a life to begin with, some of them are just shorter than others.

God performs miracles. So, you tell me, what are his selection criteria?

How come God saves one kid and not another? What makes the one kid so flippin deserving and not the other...since God has decided to intervene for this kid, but not that one?

How come some parents get to walk around saying, "God saved my baby!" while other parents get to bury their babies?

 

[jimmiej]

OK, now God, in addition to his monopoly intervention, has saved your daughter from cancer. But he lets other people's kids die.

I am so very sick and tired of people deciding that they are so flippin special that God selected them to bless with His grace. You aren't that special. God doesn't like you better. Your kid isn't any better than any other kid with cancer, and didn't deserve to live anymore than any other kid did. And God didn't say, "Well, I like little Ashley, so I'll save her life...but little Kaitlyn, well, I don't like her, so I'll send her pain and let her die."

What you are isn't blessed. What you are is lucky.

Your post brings up several interesting questions.

Why do bad things happen to people? I believe it's because of Original Sin. Read Genesis 3 (Not you Cool-Beans; I know you don't read the Bible )

Why are some people healed & some aren't? Why are some prayers answered with "yes" & some with "no"? This brings up the question you mentioned. Are some people loved more than others by God? Actually, I think that is quite possibly true. The OT talks about the Jews being God's "chosen people". The entire Bible teaches that God blesses those who love & serve him. And then, there's the controversial doctrine of "election." Were some people predestined by God to be His children & everyone else is out of luck? There's a lot of Scripture to back up that claim.

Back to your post: What if Ashley's parents were faithful servants of God & prayed earnestly for their child's healing, but Kaitlyn's family were all non-believers & never considered God in the process? If there is a God, would that make a difference to Him? I think you could make a case for that.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Your post brings up several interesting questions.

Why do bad things happen to people? I believe it's because of Original Sin. Read Genesis 3 (Not you Cool-Beans; I know you don't read the Bible )

Why are some people healed & some aren't? Why are some prayers answered with "yes" & some with "no"? This brings up the question you mentioned. Are some people loved more than others by God? Actually, I think that is quite possibly true. The OT talks about the Jews being God's "chosen people". The entire Bible teaches that God blesses those who love & serve him. And then, there's the controversial doctrine of "election." Were some people predestined by God to be His children & everyone else is out of luck? There's a lot of Scripture to back up that claim.

Back to your post: What if Ashley's parents were faithful servants of God & prayed earnestly for their child's healing, but Kaitlyn's family were all non-believers & never considered God in the process? If there is a God, would that make a difference to Him? I think you could make a case for that.

Right, the Jews are God's chosen people...but he let 6 million of them get worked, beaten, starved, and killed. He intervenes in one poster's McDonald's monopoly game, but didn't bother to intervene for his chosen peole. ...maybe he liked Germans better.

I'm not asking why bad things happen to good people. I'm asking why some people think that God chooses them to save while allowing others to die. I think it is wildly conceited (and, honestly, foolish) to believe that God reaches his hand down to touch YOUR life, but not others.

And no, I haven't noticed God intervening for His faithful any more often than for those who don't serve him. So, if anyone is counting on thier faith to help them out with their health....well, I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[jimmiej]

I am very sorry to those who I have insulted. I am not real good at understanding things like atheism and non believers, nor do I want to. I did not appreciate the tearing down of my beliefs, though. My beliefs are strong and I feel blessed for them and thought I would share with the rest. I will not be back. My gift to you-Merry CHRISTmas.

Us long-time Disers have learned you gotta have thick skin around here, regardless of the subject or particular discussion board. Some people I vehemently disagree with, I consider my friends here on the DIS. I hope you'll reconsider & stick around. We need new perspectives. Some of us have been arguing about the same things for years!

 

[jimmiej]

Right, the Jews are God's chosen people...but he let 6 million of them get worked, beaten, starved, and killed. He intervenes in one poster's McDonald's monopoly game, but didn't bother to intervene for his chosen peole. ...maybe he liked Germans better.

I'm not asking why bad things happen to good people. I'm asking why some people think that God chooses them to save while allowing others to die. I think it is wildly conceited (and, honestly, foolish) to believe that God reaches his hand down to touch YOUR life, but not others.

And no, I haven't noticed God intervening for His faithful any more often than for those who don't serve him. So, if anyone is counting on thier faith to help them out with their health....well, I wouldn't bet on it.

Well, I respect your opinion, but I believe Scripture indicates otherwise.