Tithing question

[interalia]

My mother died a few months back and the money she left for me has come in. It is life insurance money - a portion of the total given to each member of the family. Do I tithe on this? I wanted to be sure.

[BenRaines]

Is it an increase to you? If so we are to tithe on our increase.

Ben Raines

[interalia]

That is the simplest way I took it, but then again my income tax refund is an increase to me, but I don't tithe on that, having tithed on the taxable income previously.

If I am to tithe on it, does this mean I tithe on all gifts? I'm just not sure - never been in this situation before. I've always been a full tithe payer.

[skippy740]

Life Insurance is designed to be an economic replacement tool, not as an "increase".

You have lost your mother. To the extent that you were (may have) been financially dependent upon her is the same extent that this insurance money is to "make you whole" after your loss. According to this particular definition, I wouldn't consider this an "increase".

If you have NOT been financially or economically dependent upon your mother, then this IS an increase and should be tithed.

This is from a life insurance agent perspective.

I don't know if this will help, but at least it may give you an idea on how you may make the decision.

[talisyn]

I'm sorry for your loss

[anatess]

Originally Posted by interalia

That is the simplest way I took it, but then again my income tax refund is an increase to me, but I don't tithe on that, having tithed on the taxable income previously.

If I am to tithe on it, does this mean I tithe on all gifts? I'm just not sure - never been in this situation before. I've always been a full tithe payer.

Income Tax Refund is not an increase to you. It is a refund on an overpayment. It is the same as buying groceries at the store and realized you paid $10.00 more than what you purchased, so you go back to the store and ask for the $10.00 back, so they give it to you. It's not an increase...

I don't tithe on gifts because there is no monetary value to it - at least, the gifts I've received in my lifetime.

But, if my dad gives me $10,000 to help me buy a house, I'm not sure what to do with that. I've never been in that position. I'm not sure what the position of the church is on this one. Maybe somebody can come along and explain this one. This would be the same as your inheritance, I think.

[tubaloth]

Talk to your bishop about it. Gifts are in the gray area. (and that probably well be what your bishop says).

[Alana]

I would tithe on life insurance money after any expenses or bills of the deceased are paid.
Also, with my income tax return, I do tithe on the excess amount. We paid about 3k in taxes, but we get 5k back because of kids and EIC etc. SO I tithe on the amount over the 3k, so two thousand. Also, if I sell a car I dont' tithe on that unless it's more than what I bought the car for, which does happen on occasion
As far as gifts go, I don't think that's a gray area. It's tithe-able. Gifts, earned income, pennies found on the ground, selling something that was given to you, any increase. Not on loans.

[Just_A_Guy]

Originally Posted by anatess

Income Tax Refund is not an increase to you. It is a refund on an overpayment. It is the same as buying groceries at the store and realized you paid $10.00 more than what you purchased, so you go back to the store and ask for the $10.00 back, so they give it to you. It's not an increase...

I would submit that it is increase if it comes out of refundable credits. Refundable credits are basically free money from the government.

[Madriglace]

Your choice .... live the letter of the Law or the Spirit of the law .... it's all the Lords money anyhow. When in doubt pray and follow the spirit of the law.