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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:04 pm
by Katya
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.
:P

Now it looks like I was making fun of Yarjka, which I wasn't.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:12 pm
by Nanti-SARRMM
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?
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.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:51 pm
by Werf_Must
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 is a really interesting perspective!

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:02 pm
by Yarjka
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'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.

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.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:38 pm
by Nanti-SARRMM
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.
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.

Remember that Abraham was tested to see if he would sacrifice his only son and be obedient to the Lord, for Zions Camp, it was to test them if they would go. For us, tithing is a sacrifice for us, and enables us to grow. It is a personal sacrifice between us, or more appropriately me or you, and the Lord. There is no set rate, not for baptism, not for keeping the commandments, nothing. He wants us to be completely obedient and follow all revelations given to us personally, which may include paying tithing on gross income for one and net income for another, because it is according to the circumstances.

I don't think that the prophet or the apostles will say which we should pay on, because we don't need to have strict rules. That is why the church works so well now, there are some things that are open to loose interpretation and don't need to be set down in stone. At least that is how I feel.

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:50 pm
by Benvolio
Katya wrote:Now it looks like I was making fun of Yarjka, which I wasn't.
Sorry, Katya; I didn't intend that statement to imply that you were. I just liked the idea of a modern Law of Moses. (I would totally be a Pharisee.) I thought Yarjka had a good point as well.

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:34 pm
by Hobbes
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.
Tithing is the lower law because the Saints couldn't handle the LoC.

To have both together is nonsensical.

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:49 pm
by Katya
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! :D

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:43 pm
by Nanti-SARRMM
Katya wrote: In Communist Russia, the tithing pays YOU! :D
Ouch, having 1/10th of yourself paid to the church. More incentive to be hugely fat I suppose.

Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:46 am
by Darth Fedora
Nanti-SARRMM wrote: Ouch, having 1/10th of yourself paid to the church. More incentive to be hugely fat I suppose.
Did that spark a people-soap Fight Club flashback for anyone else?

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:26 am
by Dragon Lady
I guess I just figure, do I want net blessings or gross blessings?

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:11 pm
by bobtheenchantedone
Dragon Lady wrote:I guess I just figure, do I want net blessings or gross blessings?
That's what my dad says when my siblings ask about it.

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:13 pm
by Fredjikrang
(I apologize for what I am about to say, but I just can't help it.)

I think I would much rather have a net than something gross. ;)

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:14 pm
by Katya
Dragon Lady wrote:I guess I just figure, do I want net blessings or gross blessings?
Do you think it really works that way?

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:18 pm
by bobtheenchantedone
Fredjikrang wrote:(I apologize for what I am about to say, but I just can't help it.)

I think I would much rather have a net than something gross. ;)
Oh, you are funny, mate.

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:32 pm
by Yarjka
I'll just pay 100% from now on ... get 100% blessings.

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:45 pm
by Nanti-SARRMM
Yarjka wrote:I'll just pay 100% from now on ... get 100% blessings.
It's a ratio? So if I pay 200%....

But that then no longer counts as tithing, it counts as the law of consecration, thus you receive no blessings for paying tithing, but other blessings for living the law of consecration.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:41 am
by SWKT Parachuter
Katya wrote:
Dragon Lady wrote:I guess I just figure, do I want net blessings or gross blessings?
Do you think it really works that way?
What a diplomatic response to an incredibly self-righteous presumption! Good for you, Katya.

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:26 am
by Katya
SWKT Parachuter wrote:
Katya wrote:
Dragon Lady wrote:I guess I just figure, do I want net blessings or gross blessings?
Do you think it really works that way?
What a diplomatic response to an incredibly self-righteous presumption! Good for you, Katya.
Heh. What a lot to read into one response! ;)

Actually, my question was genuine. I've had some interesting discussions with various people on this topic over the last few weeks, and it's teaching me a lot about how different people approach and interpret the gospel. (Plus, I know DL much too well to think that she could ever be self-righteous. :) )

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:55 am
by Giovanni Schwartz
SWICKET'S BACKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!! HI SWICKET! I missed your cynicism.