May 31 — I recently discovered that the Church changed the name of Tithing Settlement to Tithing Declaration. But what exactly is Tithing Settlement, or Tithing Declaration? Once a year, usually near the end of the year, church members schedule an appointment with their local bishop or branch president to discuss how much tithing they have paid during the year.
Think about the word “settlement.” What comes to mind when you hear it? One definition relates to geography; another refers to paying what is owed. It is also a legal term.
The stated reason for changing the name to Declaration is this:
“The change is intended to enhance focus on the principles and blessings of tithing. Tithing declaration will be primarily a learning experience — especially for children and youth — and an opportunity for Latter-day Saints to declare their tithing faithfulness.”
The “law of tithing” is one of the doctrines church members are taught while growing up or, for investigators, during missionary discussions. Living the law of tithing is also one of the commandments investigators are expected to agree to before baptism.
Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I say that we are no longer under the law, but under grace. I do not understand why Mormons would want to remain under that burden.
Jesus came to fulfill the law:
Matthew 5:17 – “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
When my children were very young, Deseret Book introduced a plastic bank for kids to teach them about tithing. It had slots labeled Fun, Tithing, and Mission. Of course, the Tithing section was slightly taller.
It is sad to me that, from a very young age, Mormon children are taught to set aside 10% of whatever little money they receive and give it to the Church. In the article linked below, you will see a picture of a little girl counting out her coins to give to a church leader as tithing. It makes me ask the question, does the Mormon god really need a child’s pennies?
When I first heard about attending a Tithing Settlement meeting with our branch president, it struck me as very odd and, honestly, more than a little nosy. I wondered why the Church needed to know how much we had made that year or why it was any of their business. I knew we were expected to pay our 10%; I just felt they did not trust us to be honest.
Being on record as a “full tithe payer” is critical for members of the Church. If you do not pay a full 10%, you may not be considered worthy to receive a temple recommend, you may be excluded from certain leadership callings, and you may not be regarded as being in good standing.
Now I want to consider what God has said about tithing and giving.
2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Matthew 6:3-4 “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
Giving 10% was a requirement under the Old Testament law. The law was meant to bring us to Jesus.
Galatians 3:23-25 “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
When it comes to tithing and giving, God wants us to give cheerfully and from the heart. Our salvation is not based on how much we give. I pray Mormons come to know this truth.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
Resources
Tithing is between you and God. You cant buy your way into heaven. Prayers for all Mormons.
M.J.
MJ –
Amen. I might also add that I pray this would serve as an example there is trouble.
[…] Tithing Settlement Name Change – Melissa Grimes […]