Moderator: Marduk
Benvolio wrote:There should be specifically proscribed methods for observing the Sabbath, obeying the Word of Wisdom, paying tithing, dressing modestly, etc. And then we would add a hedge around the law, to make sure we never broke them. That worked great with the Law of Moses.
I dunno myself. I do believe that every situation is different, because of the individual country tax codes and what not, so it should really be a matter between you and the Lord through prayer on paying tithing between net and gross income.Wisteria wrote:Hm. So I'm probably getting myself into deeper water than I can swim in here, but the interesting thing about a lot of European countries like Denmark is taht the taxes are so high because they're socialist, or socialistic, at least. So the taxes are really high, but that's because a lot of that money's being funneled back to the people for things that Americans pay for out of our pocketed income. Does anyone know more about this than I?
That is a really interesting perspective!Yarjka wrote:I used to be all about paying on the gross, since taxes are money you spend to live in this country ... however, I changed my position on this when I found out how much taxes are in certain countries. In Denmark, for example, some people pay up to 68% in taxes. So, a person makes 100 dollars, the government takes 68 dollars, and tithing would be ten dollars, leaving the person with a whopping total of 22 dollars. By extension, if ever a country was to tax, say, 91%, the person would pay 91 dollars to taxes, 10 dollars to tithing, and ... uh oh, looks like the person is in debt 1 dollar. God doesn't want us in debt, and I believe he wants all people to pay the same set rate for tithing. I have therefore changed to the paying on the net crowd (although I also pay on any tax rebate/refund checks I receive, naturally). Of course, people are free to pay their tithing however they want ... it's the spirit in which it is payed that is most important (this includes not trying to hide any amount from the Lord that you feel you should be giving to him).
That's a good point as well, and one I'm going to have to consider more fully. In a completely communistic society, the tax rate would be 100%, but really, there would be no such thing as your money, so you'd have nothing to pay your tithe on. In an ideal 'law of consecration' society, I think the leaders of the community would pay a tithe on the community money, thus taking care of the law of the Lord for all.Wisteria wrote:Hm. So I'm probably getting myself into deeper water than I can swim in here, but the interesting thing about a lot of European countries like Denmark is taht the taxes are so high because they're socialist, or socialistic, at least. So the taxes are really high, but that's because a lot of that money's being funneled back to the people for things that Americans pay for out of our pocketed income. Does anyone know more about this than I?
But as you pointed out earlier, every country has a different tax rate, and ever person is in a different circumstance. One important thing to remember is that while the tithing goes to help fund the church, temples, byu, etc, the best outcome of paying tithing is the growth of our own testimony.Yarjka wrote: As far as my 'set rate for all' comment, I was simply referring to the definition of tithing. To tithe means to pay one-tenth part; thus, when the Lord says we should pay a tithing, he is by definition saying that we should all pay the same rate.
Tithing is the lower law because the Saints couldn't handle the LoC.Yarjka wrote:In a completely communistic society, the tax rate would be 100%, but really, there would be no such thing as your money, so you'd have nothing to pay your tithe on. In an ideal 'law of consecration' society, I think the leaders of the community would pay a tithe on the community money, thus taking care of the law of the Lord for all.
In Communist Russia, the tithing pays YOU!Yarjka wrote:In a completely communistic society, the tax rate would be 100%, but really, there would be no such thing as your money, so you'd have nothing to pay your tithe on. In an ideal 'law of consecration' society, I think the leaders of the community would pay a tithe on the community money, thus taking care of the law of the Lord for all.
It's a ratio? So if I pay 200%....Yarjka wrote:I'll just pay 100% from now on ... get 100% blessings.
Heh. What a lot to read into one response!SWKT Parachuter wrote:What a diplomatic response to an incredibly self-righteous presumption! Good for you, Katya.Katya wrote:Do you think it really works that way?Dragon Lady wrote:I guess I just figure, do I want net blessings or gross blessings?
)
