Posted on 08/30/2010 3:42:03 PM PDT by SouthDixie
Okay, I'll be honest, I am not a great follower of Glenn Beck yet I am trying to understand what exactly his message is. I try to understand by listening to what others have to say and by watching his shows and rallys.
Today on his show, Glenn said, "If you don't believe in giving 10% tithe, why are you going to that church?" I about had to pick my jaw off the floor. I was not aware attending church was about a 10% tithe and if you didn't have the funds, why attend?
In my minds eye, this is NOT how to attract people to church or to the word of God. God is about Love, Compassion and Unity. In these economic times people are barely able to care for their families let alone give 10% of their income to churches that havn't exactly set a very "spiritual" example.
I am not sure I enjoy where Glenn Beck is taking us.
Thank you, that’s the reference I referred to.
I don’t see tithing as a biblical thing. I see it as an old testament thing.
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Last time I checked, the Old Testament was part of the Bible. ;-)
But I know what you meant...
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that the Mormon church is extraordinarily effective at enforcing its tithing.
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How so? It’s on an honor system. It’s not like the Bishop asks for tax or payroll receipts or anything like that. You are simply asked once a year if you are a full tithe payer or not.
I guess if you want to call that enforcing, you can.
Take what he says about faith with a grain of salt, unless of course you too are a Mormon.
Remember, Jos. Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith, held that Mormons ARE NOT Christian. A cursory examination of Mormonism proves him right.
So if Peter didn't ask them to do it, they all laid it at his feet on their own accord. I guess that's possible, but considering all that transpired, and that they all did it, is sure seemed organized to me.
Here's a few examples:
Acts 2:
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
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Acts 4:
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
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Acts 5:
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
***God is about Love, Compassion and Unity.***
God is about both wrath and love. Both of which were displayed on a hilltop just outside of Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago.
Now, I don’t know what Bible Mormons use
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Same one you quoted from. King James version.
If you give eleven percent, do you still call it tithing?
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A tithe is a tenth. Anything else is an offering.
Malachi tells us to give both.
http://scriptures.lds.org/mal/3/8#8
Yeah, that's the thing about the internet, one can believe all sorts of things. That doesn't make it true.
It's an honor system. To records are checked. You are given a printout at the end of the year of all your donations, both tithes and offerings. (most offerings consist of giving to the poor, in a separate fund from tithing). You are then asked if you have paid a full tithe. Yes or no. That's it.
ping to my last post. It IS the honor system.
To records are checked.
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Oops, make that NO records are checked.
Fat fingers... good thing I don’t work on Wall Street. ;-)
Freudian slip?
Just kidding. :D
;-)
And no, I’m not attracted to my mother...
Tithing was to be done every three years. You could give free will offerings and have a barbque at anytime.
Deu 14:28 ¶ At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay [it] up within thy gates:
Today we are to give as God has prospered. No percentages given as God loves a cheerful giver,
But we must take care of our own first or we are no better than a thief or an infidel.
“. . . To records are checked...You are then asked if you have paid a full tithe. Yes or no. That’s it. “
That’s a lot more accountability than any churches I have ever known.
I didn’t hear about pay stubs on the internet, but from ex-Mormons. But that was many years ago. I may have remembered somewhat skewed or been misinformed. That’s why I stated up front that I was open to correction if anyone knew any better.
Since we have all spiritual blessings; what great need do we have for physical blessings that come from tithes? NONE
If we should have bowels of charity and compassion, then we are free and not offended to give whatever we can afford. But not a tithe; this would put us back under the Law; and if we fail on thing of the Law, we are guilty of all the Law to perform it:
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all [the Law]
Yes, I believe accountability is important. After all, we will be judged according to our works, according to what is written in the books in heaven.
Tithing isn’t just part of the Mosaic law. It was practiced long before Moses.
And yes, spiritual and temporal blessings are associated with the principle.
I keep an ancient widows mite, the smallest, least valuable coin they used back then... something I purchased in Jerusalem years ago when I visited... as a reminder of the principle of faith and sacrifice.
God at that time only concerned Himself with the Jews, and this tithe was only concerning Himself in respect to proper Jewish observances; and not with pagans (gentiles).
God was not impressed if some pagan gentiles practiced tithing in those days of either Abraham or Moses.
By that time in history, the pagans (gentiles) had already rejected God's revelation of truth for their salvation which He provided them at that time.
I believe the Church will not give a temple recommend, which allows attendance at a temple, unless a member has declared full tithing? Or receive aid from the Church? The teaching is that one will not be admitted to the Celestial Kingdom without being a full tither? Members are called to an annual settlement meeting with their bishop? The Church has more of its members fully tithe than other churches?
I’m neither member nor authority, but that is my understanding.
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