A Question About Youth Tithing

[rampion]

Tithing can be a very complicated question. I wonder about whether I should pay tithing on student loans. I think that it is not really increase since I don't actually get to have the money and spend it any way that I want to (although I can use some of it for living expenses, after tuition). Also, I don't get to keep it. I will have to pay it back to the lender plus interest. So I think it is not really income, any more than the loan on your house or car is income.

Another question I have is for people who live at poverty level (or maybe also those of us who live beyond our means), and when you add up the monthly bills compared to net income, there isn't ten percent left. Under those circumstances, I have tried to pay tithing and kept it up for a few months before bills got out of hand and I had no choice but to pay the bills instead of tithing. I didn't need welfare to pay the bills, but simply couldn't pay them and also pay tithing. At some points I was doing without luxuries like heating the house beyond enough to keep pipes from freezing, and wearing heavy coats all of the time.

I struggle with tithing, because often my ideal is beyond my capabilities. I would rather live the law of consecration, and volunteer anything that I have including my services or goods that I can produce. But maybe the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. When the law of consecration was attempted, people refused to give their excess, for fear that they might actually need it, or maybe they thought that they could make better use of it than the Lord could (or the bishop or prophet or other who might receive it). It really is easier said than done. Even if I offered my services, how easy would it be to say I just really don't have any extra time this week because of all of the other demands on my time. I'm not sure that I have any real answers here, other than that I can offer ideals. Ultimately it is between an individual and the Lord.

[Misshalfway]

There is no doubt in my mind that parents should help young folks learn to pay tithing and give them opportunities to do so. I am concerned that a temple recommend was denied for a young person. Did this young person deliberately and knowing stop paying tithing? I have a hard time seeing that a 13 year old could officially expected to have increase. Minors don't generally have increase. They are solely supported by their parents. I suppose the bishop might be trying to teach a lesson here, but I would question such a decision if I were the parents.

[Alana]

Originally Posted by rampion

Another question I have is for people who live at poverty level (or maybe also those of us who live beyond our means), and when you add up the monthly bills compared to net income, there isn't ten percent left.

The trick is to take out the 10 percent first and THEN take out the rest of the bills. This is coming from someone who has lived off of an income that sometimes was $400 for the month. That was for me and my hubby and our baby. Thank you failed business! Throughout that hard financial time, I was very blessed. I will always pay my tithing, no matter how much or how little.

[Elgama]

our stake presidency encourages us to pay our children pocket money so they can learn about tithing, my 5 year old has paid tithing on her pocket money since she was 2. my son is 2 but not qute ready yet so we just do it up for him and he hands it to a member of the branch presidency.

-Charley

[Elgama]

Originally Posted by rampion

Another question I have is for people who live at poverty level (or maybe also those of us who live beyond our means), and when you add up the monthly bills compared to net income, there isn't ten percent left. Under those circumstances, I have tried to pay tithing and kept it up for a few months before bills got out of hand and I had no choice but to pay the bills instead of tithing. I didn't need welfare to pay the bills, but simply couldn't pay them and also pay tithing. At some points I was doing without luxuries like heating the house beyond enough to keep pipes from freezing, and wearing heavy coats all of the time.
might receive it). It really is easier said than done. .

I paid my tithing then went to the Bishop who helped us draw up a budget and work out our shortfall - but I didn't at recommendation of my Bishop at the time pay my tithing on Student Loans just everything else - it was not my money and it was expected to be paid back if I earned over a certain amount.

-Charley

[RickJ]

Hi everyone

Thank you all so much for the comments, suggestions and encouragement.

What my sweetheart and I have decided is that from this point on the kids pocket money and any other monies that they earn or any other increase they receive that is given to them for them to spend as they wish should have tithing paid on it. We will encourage them to place 10% of what ever money they receive into a "Tithing Tin" that we will have on the kitchen bench and at the end of each month the money will be paid to the Bishop.

To Misshalfway - tithing was the reason our 13 year old was denied her temple recommend, no she has not chosen to not pay tithing, I just never got around to teaching the need to tithe in time as we have only very recently introduced the idea of pocket money or an allowance in to the home.

I have spoken with the member of the bishopric that interviewed Kaitie and he explained to me his feelings and the promptings he was receiving during the interview. I now feel that this has happened by design from the Lord so that we have the opportunity to have the lesson of tithing fully taught and the practice of tithing fully implemented in our home by the end of the year.

Tithing is such a blessing and I know that it is through faithful tithe paying that my family has been blessed many times, particular by my having a well paying job that allows my sweetheart to stay at home with our younger kids - something we never thought would be possible in today's economic climate.

Thank you all again for your love and compassion.

[TheyCallMeMom]

my Children pay tithing on their allowance, after they have been baptized, if for nothing other than to start forming habits..

[Palerider]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeMom

my Children pay tithing on their allowance, after they have been baptized, if for nothing other than to start forming habits..

It was always awesome when a kid brings his tithing envelope and hands it to you....thats a great way to teach them....

[WindRiver]

Originally Posted by Elgama

our stake presidency encourages us to pay our children pocket money so they can learn about tithing, my 5 year old has paid tithing on her pocket money since she was 2. my son is 2 but not qute ready yet so we just do it up for him and he hands it to a member of the branch presidency.

-Charley

That was what my parents did and it established the correct pattern in my life. I remember how good I felt taking my pennies in to the ward clerk to pay my tithing as a kid. We were taught to take the tithing out of any cash we received for any reason the moment we got it then take it to church with us the very next sunday.

I remember a visiting authority telling our stake that the number one thing that keeps people from having a recommend is tithing, so I feel strongly that we need to start very young with our kids so it becomes automatic for them and teach them how to gain a personal testimony of it when they get a little older.

[melissar]

I have wondered about youth tithing also. Especially since my oldest was baptized on November 22. They get allowance for chores every 2 weks.