Tithing

[Soul_Searcher]

ok, so we have only just started paying tithing again. We told the Bishop we spend every penny we earn so we would miss out somewhere. He agreed to pay for our food and wrote us out a cheque to last a month. Well, we had an unexpected and urgent bill to pay and we had no choice but to use the money.

Now we have the situation of having to pay tithing over something else. They are all pretty serious bills that we have to pay, we cannot default. So then we will have to pay tithing or food/travel or a debt bill.

What do we do? I feel like I should be paying tithing especially as we got help. But as the Bishop has already helped us out, we cant get any more, especially as we've on;y paid a weeks worth.

I feel quite stressed and worried about this and woke up feeling sick with worry in the night. I feel like this could be a test and I should pay it and see if Im blessed like Ive been told. But money would literally have to be dropped through out letterbox for this to work. We have just had a tax rebate, so that wont happen.

I really dont know what to do about this situation.

[Vort]

My advice:

Pay your tithing. I don't know whether everything will work out or not. Doesn't matter. Pay your tithing, then live within your means and make do with the rest.

[TruthSeekerToo]

My advice:

Talk to your bishop. Show him your bills and your budget. Tell him about the emergency you had. You may need temporary assistance to pay everything.

Then, check out The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey! Love that book! You can also go to his website and listen to his broadcast.

You can try to lower some of your bills by calling the companies. We did this for our car insurance and Comcast and saved money on both.
You can also try to sell some stuff on Craigslist. That is how we paid for groceries last month.

[missingsomething]

I would say first be thankful for a bishop who willingly gave you a check for food -normally they purchase food for you to take away the temptation to spend it on other bills -

Second- be honest with your bishop and tell him what happened.

Third, take a *serious* look at your bills. Do you really need all that you have? Do you pay for internet connection - because that is not a necessity - even for school or college because most libraries offer internet connection use on their computers for free. Do you have a cell phone and home phone? Cable or DirectTV/DISH? Do you eat out? Until your finances are in a better situation - cut these out. Will it totally suck? Yep.

Fourth- contact those who you owe money to. Tell them your situation. See if you can pay a little less this month and make up the difference over the next few months. For example if bill is 30.00, ask if you can pay 10.00 this month and 10 additional dollars the next two months.

Fifth -Did you get a large tax return this year? If so, you /your husband may want to adjust how much taxes is coming out. Get more monthly and less of a big lump sum as a return.

Check out alternative ways to get help. There is a great food bank program offered by a variety of churches - you pay 25.00 and get a lot of groceries. With every food order (and you dont have to prove income as it is NOT a low income program just a "power buying" program) you can purchase additional items. The website link to see if they are in your area and which church participates is Welcome*- Angel Food Ministries For 25.00 you get meat, veggies, fruit, bread, and normally one or two desserts.

My husband lost his job last year - I went to work full-time. We cut everything so we wouldnt have to lean on the bishop and I paid tithing (not to mention I made less than him to begin with). He is not a member but knew that I had a committment to paying tithing on my earnings. Well, it was hard and It reallllly tested me. BUT... he got a job paying much much more than he had made previously, I got a job paying double what I made before, and we were able to pay off our debt (yep, other than house and car) we are debt free now.

I think paying tithing taught me how to sacrifice so that I could get out of debt. It also made me feel great when I handed the bishop that envelope and he knew our circumstances. When we had two very small children, just had a 150% property tax increase, a car accident (and all the medical bills with it)... and I still paid my tithing. It didnt go easy - it meant my husband and i ate a box of mac n cheese or ramon noodles a few months.... but we did it. I also sought out our local food pantry where you can buy food for 1/4 what it would cost in the store. We also did the angel food program and would buy 2 of their regular food packages. It really was a lot of food for a little bit of money.

Hope something I said helps. Just pay tithing. Satan will try to give you reasons not to pay. And of course, you will always be able to spend that money other ways. Think outside of the box. Show faith and the Lord will provide for you. If he can feed a multitude, he will feed and care for your family!

[TruthSeekerToo]

Sorry, why can't you ask for more help from your bishop? We just had a leadership training meeting about helping people and the call was given to search out and help those in need within our wards.

We are no longer just to "teach a man to fish" now we should try to give them a pole and catch the first fish for them!

[beefche]

Talk to your bishop and let him know about the situation. I say pay your tithing. I don't know why the bishop can't help you with food again, but in order to do so, he needs to know about your situation. But, tithing isn't always about the actual money--sometimes it's about faith to sacrifice even when we don't want to or feel like we can.

[minemouse]

Thank you for your well though out words missing.

[Soul_Searcher]

Hmm I suppose I didn't think of going to the Bishop because I feel we don't deserve it. But I think that is the best course of action. Our Bishop is understanding and I'm sure he would be willing to help us especially if we went with tithing on Sunday.

I really do feel we need to pay this. I'm slowly starting to feel things more, and I do feel strongly that we should. I actually WANT to which is a change from before, feeling I HAD to. If the Lord knows my heart then I really hope and want him to provide a way. We'll speak to the Bishop on Sunday. Thanks guys!

P.S missingsomething we are in England so Im not sure these options are available to us. But thank you for useful suggestions x

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by Soul_Searcher

Hmm I suppose I didn't think of going to the Bishop because I feel we don't deserve it. But I think that is the best course of action. Our Bishop is understanding and I'm sure he would be willing to help us especially if we went with tithing on Sunday.

I really do feel we need to pay this. I'm slowly starting to feel things more, and I do feel strongly that we should. I actually WANT to which is a change from before, feeling I HAD to. If the Lord knows my heart then I really hope and want him to provide a way. We'll speak to the Bishop on Sunday. Thanks guys!

P.S missingsomething we are in England so Im not sure these options are available to us. But thank you for useful suggestions x

Talk to God about this problem too. Tell him your feelings, worries and limits. Tell him your desires to obey. You can even tell him your fears and ask him to expand your faith.

He ALWAYS makes a way for us to obey his commandments. Put your faith into that promise. He made a way for Moses, and Nephi, and Alma, and Brother of Jared, and so many more. He helps us build boats and part seas and travel great distances and remove great mountains and even light up rocks! He can and will make a way for you and me and all of us. Such a thing is easy for Him. The deal is that we must exercise our faith.

I doubt that the circumstance you are in right now is an accident. God allows these dilemmas to suddenly arise so that we will have opportunities to prove our faith. My dear, it is simply your turn.

Be hopeful. Be believing. Be prayerful. Then wait for the hand of the Lord. It will come and open a way for you to obey AND meet the demands of your creditors. Exercising faith does feel like a scary bungee jump I know. Just remember you are falling up.

[Elgama]

As you are in the UK go to the CAB or your local councils money advisory service, they will also be able to help.

-Charley