Tithing question

[g8trjasonb]

I've only recently started going to Church after having not been active for about 12 years, since I was around 20 years old. I am going to pay my tithing this month for the first time in my life, but since I've never paid, I'm not entirely sure how to do it. I know where to find the envelopes and how to write a check , but to whom do I give it or where do I put it?

[slamjet]

ALWAYS give your tithing envelope to the Bishop or one of his Counselors. And then hold on for the blessings :)

[Guest Alana]

You put your name and address and ward on the slip. There will be a spot to put how much you're paying for tithing, a spot for a fast offering and spots for other things. At the bottom you total it all up. If you make a mistake, it's not big deal, they will probably just call you to clarify, I've had that happen a few times. You give it to the bishop or to one of his counselors. You can hand it to him before church starts (the easiest time) or after sacrament gets out or after church or anytime you see them in the hallway.

[Blackmarch]

I've only recently started going to Church after having not been active for about 12 years, since I was around 20 years old. I am going to pay my tithing this month for the first time in my life, but since I've never paid, I'm not entirely sure how to do it. I know where to find the envelopes and how to write a check , but to whom do I give it or where do I put it?

Give it to the bishop.

[Wingnut]

Usually the envelopes are in a foyer, often near the bishop's office. If you meet in a building with more than one ward in it, make sure you check the envelope to see that it has your bishop/ward's name on it, instead of another one.

[Guest]

Also, the envelopes have an address on it so you can just drop it in the mail. I used to do this when I got my paycheck mid-week. I didn't want to wait until Sunday to send in tithing... because... okay, okay, I spend it before Sunday...

Also, it's a good idea to keep the yellow sheet in a file folder or something so that at the end of the year, when you meet the bishop for tithing settlement, you'll have a complete record of what you gave that you can compare with what the bishop received.

[pam]

He already said he knows where to find them and how to fill them out. His question is only who to give the tithing envelope to.

[g8trjasonb]

Thanks everyone

[MarginOfError]

Just so you can practice before you write the actual check

But seriously, if you aren't familiar with the slip, this is what it looks like. If you are familiar with the slip, my apologies for going too simple.

[Guest Alana]

He already said he knows where to find them and how to fill them out. His question is only who to give the tithing envelope to.

He said he knows where they are and how to fill out a check, he never mentioned if he knew how to fill out the slip.

[dahlia]

A question re fast offerings - I'm vegan and my meals are generally very low cost. I could see $3-6 as being realistic for two at-home meals, if that much. Rice and beans and some fruit just don't cost much, the only real cost is for fake foods like vegan 'hamburger,' etc., which I don't eat every week. Do you think the bishop will say the offering is too small or unrealistic?

[MarginOfError]

A question re fast offerings - I'm vegan and my meals are generally very low cost. I could see $3-6 as being realistic for two at-home meals, if that much. Rice and beans and some fruit just don't cost much, the only real cost is for fake foods like vegan 'hamburger,' etc., which I don't eat every week. Do you think the bishop will say the offering is too small or unrealistic?

If he does, he shouldn't. Instead, he should ask if you consider your $3-$6 a generous offering given your circumstances.

My only suggestion is to remember that the Fast Offering is a method of caring for the poor and needy. The "cost of the two meals fasted" is a guideline, and not a hard and fast rule. You should give whatever feels good to give. You should be generous, but not so much that it's a detriment to your personal livelihood.

If you feel good about your $3-$6, that's all you need. If you feel good about more, that's all you need. If you feel good about less, that's all you need.

[beefche]

Yeah, what MOE said.

The bishops I have had have never said anything to me about the amount I'm paying for fast offering. All they have ever said is "Thank you for giving to the fast."

[slamjet]

Tithing... In my ex's ward, they made an announcement over the pulpit, something like this:

"Due to the forgetful nature of our beloved Bishop, we ask the membership to please not give him the tithing, but to one of his counselors. Many times he has forgotten them, told us he has none and taken them home only to be surprised when he takes off his suit coat. So please, give them to us, not him."

Funny!

[Guest jengilbrat]

Tithing... In my ex's ward, they made an announcement over the pulpit, something like this:

"Due to the forgetful nature of our beloved Bishop, we ask the membership to please not give him the tithing, but to one of his counselors. Many times he has forgotten them, told us he has none and taken them home only to be surprised when he takes off his suit coat. So please, give them to us, not him."

Funny!

I used to have a bishop that would forget. He told me a few times his ife would find it when she took his suit to the cleaners.

[Blackmarch]

A question re fast offerings - I'm vegan and my meals are generally very low cost. I could see $3-6 as being realistic for two at-home meals, if that much. Rice and beans and some fruit just don't cost much, the only real cost is for fake foods like vegan 'hamburger,' etc., which I don't eat every week. Do you think the bishop will say the offering is too small or unrealistic?

nope not at all. About the most that a bishop should say is something like this; "Do you feel that you been honest in your tithes and offerings?"

The only offering "required" of us (in regards to money) in general is tithing, which is 10% of your increase (generally that means income.) but we encouraged to be more giving than that in all sorts of different ways in regards to life, church, people, etc.... Fast offerings are just one way of being able to give more that's guarenteed to be only used to help the needy.

My attitude would be one of thankfulness for whatever amount someone decided to give, were I to be in a bishop's position, whether 1 cent or 1 trillion dollars.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Blackmarch

[Blackmarch]

Tithing... In my ex's ward, they made an announcement over the pulpit, something like this:

"Due to the forgetful nature of our beloved Bishop, we ask the membership to please not give him the tithing, but to one of his counselors. Many times he has forgotten them, told us he has none and taken them home only to be surprised when he takes off his suit coat. So please, give them to us, not him."

Funny!

Ideally one should hand the money to the bishop when he has one of his counselors right next to him, so as there would be a 3rd witness to the transaction.

[MarginOfError]

Ideally one should hand the money to the bishop when he has one of his counselors right next to him, so as there would be a 3rd witness to the transaction.

I'd like to know where you've come up with this ideal scenario, for I know of nothing published by the Church that promotes it.

[slamjet]

Ideally one should hand the money to the bishop when he has one of his counselors right next to him, so as there would be a 3rd witness to the transaction.

Now THAT'S a new one.

[Blackmarch]

I'd like to know where you've come up with this ideal scenario, for I know of nothing published by the Church that promotes it.

Safety guidelines for handling money from various organizations i've worked with, stuff that becomes a lifesaver if you have to go to court over it, or have to prove that you did what was required of you in any sort of legal question regarding the transaction. If i recall right that's generally along those lines why at least the bishops i've heard say to give the tithing to them on sunday during church.. no idea if that was just their own personal intrepretation of the rules or if it was listed in the handbook or whatnot anywhere.

Are there others other than the bishop and counselors authorised to collect and handle the offerings?

Have no idea how much care the church has on how the transaction is done at the point where the member hands it over. But I have a real good idea how its handled once it reaches the clerks office. I did not say that's how you're supposed to do it or how its required to do it,, that's why I said ideally.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Blackmarch

[slamjet]

But you're putting a worse case scenario spin on the whole process. It could be that the Bishops say it's best to give it to them on Sunday so that they don't forget it at home and it's just easier that way. You give it to him, he hands it over to one of his Counselors who opens and counts it all out with a Clerk. Nothing sinister, there are plenty of checks in the system to not only keep everyone honest, but to make sure the member's tithing is counted and credited accurately.

[pam]

I always gave my tithing to the Bishop on Sunday because that's when I saw him. Not because I thought it was the safest time and place to give it to him.

[Dravin]

Personally I'm none to worried about having a third witness.

To the Bishop I'm my own witness of being a full tithe payer and to the Lord, well, I'm sure he doesn't have to rely on a counsellor from the Bishopric to know if I paid my tithe.

[MarginOfError]

There's also the issue of mailing tithing to a bishop. There's absolutely no way to verify that the bishop received it or turned it in to be counted. Yet it's an option made readily available by the Church. I don't see the witness thing as being something that the Church is concerned about (and likely it won't be until it becomes a problem).

To answer an earlier question, the bishop and his counselors are the only people authorized to receive donations. Furthermore, it must be done by mail or by hand delivery. Donation boxes are not allowed, nor is slipping it under the door of the bishop's office (or other such measures).

[Guest jengilbrat]

I write a check, then if need be, I can trace it. But I have never had any trouble, other than it not getting cashed for a couple weeks cuz the Bishop forgot he had it, but that's ok, he got to it eventually.