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Should the Church Teach Tithing?

September 1st, 2006 by Dustin

OK, I find this rather humerous. I was reading my Gmail when I saw this little ad with the tagline, “Tithing Rebuttal by PH.D.” and linking to www.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com (seriously, I don’t know why I’m giving this guy free traffic!).

I guess if you put a “PH.D.” next to your name you can say that you don’t need to pay tithing…

… When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

2 Nephi 9:28

I would love to see this guy in a debate with Dave Ramsey :D

This entry was posted on Friday, September 1st, 2006 at 8:17 am and is filed under Humor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Should the Church Teach Tithing?”

  1. Mike Brown Says:
    September 10th, 2006 at 12:39 pm

    Hi guys. No particular comment other than I likewise LOVE Dave Ramsey. I’m trying to find your contact info. Could you put emails on your “About the authors” pages?

    I just set up a blog at latterdaylogic.com. The More Good foundation helped me do it, it looks like they may have helped you too. I can’t figure out how to get it connected to the real world. The search engines can’t find it, and I can’t figure out how to get plugged in to other LDS sites. Any advice?

    Mike Brown
    travel.model@gmail.com

  2. Russell Earl Kelly Says:
    September 16th, 2006 at 7:24 pm

    I would dearly love to debate with Dave Ramsey anytime anyplace. He would lose becasue God’s Word is on my side! Randy Alcorn chickened out from a Christianity Today debate with me. Why don’t you READ my article before you start attacking me!!! I teach that those who are blessed should give more than 10% but those who are struggling should not be scared by a false presentation of Malachi 3 to starve their families and do without essentials just to pad the pockets of greedy preachers. My book is supported by many top theologians across the spectrum. Truth will win.

  3. Dustin Says:
    September 18th, 2006 at 6:23 am

    Sorry Russell, I guess if you really believe that then I shouldn’t mock you. I’ve read the Bible so I don’t think I need to read your interpretation of the Bible. Instead I look to prophets clarification and continuted revelation, which we have in our church.

    You are right that people should not pay tithing “to pad the pockets of greedy preachers.” People should pay tithing because it is a commandment. I don’t believe that “struggling” excludes a person from any commandment.

    In our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) tithing is not used to pay preachers. We have no paid ministry. Tithing money is sacred and is used to build up the kingdom of God. From Mormon.org:

    The law of tithing is how the Lord funds His Church. Today all faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contribute one tenth of their income as tithing. Tithing funds are used for:

    * Constructing temples, chapels, and other buildings.
    * Providing operating funds for the Church.
    * Funding the missionary program.
    * Preparing materials used in Church classes and organizations.
    * Temple work, family history, and many other important Church functions.
    * Education.

    Of course, Dave Ramsey is not LDS, but I have found that he teaches true principles. Truth will always be truth. I think that is attributed to his great success. His principles are not new though as he will be the first to admit (”We teach God’s and grandma’s way of handling money”). We have a pamphlet in our church entitled “One for the Money” that was adapted from a talk given by a leader in our church in 1975. It essentially teaches the same principles as those taught by Dave Ramsey.

    Also, I don’t believe that anyone should give more than 10% tithing. All the Lord requires is 10%. Instead, you should find other ways of giving such as fast offerings and other charitible donations of your choice.

    Now I don’t have a PH.D. - or any type of religious degree. But I know that what I have stated above is the Lord’s way and tithing is a true principle. How do I know. Because I have paid tithing since I was 8 years old.

    “Remember that paying tithing is not as much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith.”
    - Gordon B. Hinckley

  4. Jerry Says:
    November 1st, 2006 at 3:38 pm

    Dustin, I Would love for you to take your Bible and go to his website and read his book and prove Russell wrong on any point then post it here for all to read.

  5. Dustin Says:
    November 1st, 2006 at 4:03 pm

    Jerry, it is pointless. I don’t have the time or the desire to read his book. I’ve read the scriptures. I’ve heard the words of living prophets. Russell, while a highly educated and good man I’m sure, is not a prophet seer and revelator and as such I don’t see his interpretation of the Bible as God’s word. These are the words of the Lord on the matter:

    And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.
    And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.

    D&C 119:3-4

    I’m sure you don’t believe in the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants. I’m sure you don’t believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet. So really arguing this point is moot for both of us. I guess we’d just have to agree to disagree Jerry.

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