Where are they now?

[Vort]

But if someone believes something else you have no right to tell them they are wrong

Sure he does. Both legally and morally, he has every right to voice his opinion. He has no right to claim an authoritative interpretation, but he has the right to offer his viewpoint.

[Guest]

How'd we get from Cindy Lauper to gross versus net tithe?

[pam]

I've been sick for about the last week. Chilies and fever.

I've heard chilies could help with a fever.

[circusboy01]

I've heard chilies could help with a fever.

They might help. Or it might be that your mouth gets so hot you forget about your fever. ;0) Brother Ray.

[circusboy01]

Everyone:

The way you all choose to pay tithing is confusing to me. I was taught that first you pay your tithe ( on the gross) Period. What's left is used for living expenses, paying bills, savings etc.

If I'm wrong. I thank you all for pointing that out.

I'm really going to have to talk to Heavenly Father, and my Bishop about it. Brother Ray

[Guest]

Everyone:

The way you all choose to pay tithing is confusing to me. I was taught that first you pay your tithe ( on the gross) Period. What's left is used for living expenses, paying bills, savings etc.

If I'm wrong. I thank you all for pointing that out.

I'm really going to have to talk to Heavenly Father, and my Bishop about it. Brother Ray

No. You're not wrong.

What's wrong is to think that that's the only right way to pay tithes.

Know what I mean?

[circusboy01]

Uh...no. That is not your call to make. Whether it is an honest tithe is for God to decide. And God may well decide that those who attempt to nickel-and-dime their tithing down to a bare minimum have not, in fact, paid an honest tithe.

But if they declare themselves full tithe-payers, they will likely get a temple recommend. If that's all you mean, then I agree.

Your first paragraph is exactly what I believe. To me paying on the net is to nickel, and dime your tithe.

They get a Temple Recommend because the Bishop takes them at their word that they are a full tithe payer. Perhaps if he knew the nickle and dime method they use for paying their tithe. He might not give them a recommend, and rightly so. Brother Ray

[Guest]

Your first paragraph is exactly what I believe. To me paying on the net is to nickel, and dime your tithe.

They get a Temple Recommend because the Bishop takes them at their word that they are a full tithe payer. Perhaps if he knew the nickle and dime method they use for paying their tithe. He might not give them a recommend, and rightly so. Brother Ray

See, this is where you get in trouble. See my post above.

[Vort]

They get a Temple Recommend because the Bishop takes them at their word that they are a full tithe payer. Perhaps if he knew the nickle and dime method they use for paying their tithe. He might not give them a recommend, and rightly so. Brother Ray

This is where I disagree with you, Ray. I would guess that in almost all cases, the bishop would sign off on the temple recommend even if he knew they paid on the net rather than the gross.

This "net/gross" rule simply will not work for many non-wage-earners. If you own a business where 90% of your revenue goes to pay costs and you try to "pay on the gross", you will find that all of your pay goes to tithing, with not a cent left over. Heaven help you if more than 90% of your revenue goes to paying costs -- you will never be able to pay a full tithe!

As a young man, I once complained to my father about the law of tithing, how it just wasn't spelled out enough and left it to individuals to figure out what to do. His wise response was that this is why it was such a wonderful law. I have come to agree and am firmly in Dad's camp.

Those who seek every turn to minimize their tithing, treating it as if it were a government tax, harm themselves and divorce themselves from the Spirit of God to whatever extent they do this. But the benefit of tithe payment comes in the true effort to give an honest and generous tenth, not in the particular bookkeeping method you decide to employ.