There is a serious case that tithing is not Christian.

(1) I have been commenting on General Conference tithing talks for the last decade, beginning with a 2003 speech by Jeffrey Holland.
You can find an essay at MormonThink. Look for "Sarony."
My thesis was the leaders are not even following the Mormon definition of tithing.

Recently, an apostle delivered a speech that does not embellish the definition of tithing in a way to imply, unscripturally and improperly, the tithe is 10 percent of gross income.

In his October 2013 General Conference address, David Bednar merely recites the Mormon definition without comment:

"Section 119 simply states that all members “shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, … saith the Lord” (verse 4)."

What Bednar does not say is "interest" in this context means surplus. Mormon tithing is only scripturally defined as one-tenth of surplus more than than that which one has need.

(2) The Apostolic-Era saints did not tithe. As evidence for this, we have Hebrews Chapter 7. The discussion is lengthy, but the bottom line is tithing is unprofitable compared to Christ's grace. Here is a summary of Hebrews 7:

Hebrews 7:1-7:10
Melchizedek is more important than Abraham.

Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, and by inference, Moses since the Tribe of Levi was in the loins of Abraham and Moses gave the commandment ("entolin" in Greek).

Hebrews 7:11-7:15
If perfection came by the Law of Moses (Tribe of Levi), there would have been no need for a new law ("nomos" in Greek).

But there is a change in the Law because there is a change in priesthood that came from the Tribe of Judah (from whence the Lord came) and this is the last change.

Hebrews 7:16-17
Jesus is more important than Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:18-22
The previously mentioned tithing commandment ("entolis" in Greek) is abrogated because it is ineffectual for perfection.
The law [of Moses] ("nomos" in Greek) made nothing perfect, but it provided hope for something better, which is Jesus who is a surety of a better testament.

(3) You can find essays that demonstrate "The Tithe is Illegal."
I find people try hard, but they over-do themselves when they don't rely on the Grace offered by Jesus of Nazareth. Romans Chapter 10 comments on this problem, of which I believe tithing (replacing Grace) is one manifestation.

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (New Testament, Romans, Chapter 10)

(4) Here is a little historical background on Joseph Smith and Sydney Rigdon and their use of tithing to be supported by their flock.

I think Smith and Rigdon wanted a living. Taken in historical context, they plied the Missouri Saints with their revelations to assure this.

The following is an excerpt of the historical background of tithing, taken from VanWaggoner's Rigdon biography: "Sydney Rigdon, A Portrait in Religious Excess" published by Signature Books of SLC, UT. pp. 230-231.

"Mormonism's theological preoccupation with economics has been evident since the earliest days of the movement. The Book of Mormon implied that the rewards for righteous living included material wealth (Alma 1:29, 31). While the Mormon work ethic, as pointed out by historian D. Michael Quinn, was "communitarian rather than individualistic, and socialistic rather than entreprenurial or capitalistic," church leaders such as Rigdon, Smith, and later Brigham Young, seldom went without.7 Rigdon and Smith, upon arriving in Caldwell County, presented their financial plight to the Far West High Council on 12 May 1838. Both leaders indicated that during the previous eight years they had spent their "time[,] tallents[,] & property, in the service of the Church, and are now reduced as it were to absolute beggery, and still were detained in service of the Church." They had now reached the point, they expressed, where either something "should be done for their support ... by the Church" or they "must do it themselves." After a lengthy discussion, during which George M. Hinkle forcefully opposed "a salaried ministry," the high council voted eleven to one to give the two men eighty acres of land each and to contract with them for their services, "not for preaching or for receiving the word of god by revelation, neither for instructing the Saints in righteousness," but for work rendered in the "[p]rinting establishment, in translating the ancient records &c, &c." After negotiations, they ultimately agreed to offer Rigdon and Smith an annual contract of $1,100 apiece, more than three times what the average worker of the day could earn.8 Ebenezer Robinson, the high council's clerk, later wrote that "when it was noised abroad that the Council had taken such a step, the members of the church, almost to a man, lifted their voices against it. The expression of disapprobation was so strong and emphatic that at the next meeting of the High Council the resolution voting them a salary, was rescinded.”
Angered by this refusal, Rigdon and Smith sought additional sources of church revenues. A revelation given to them in Kirtland on 12 January 1838, but not yet public, was dusted off and presented to the membership. In response to the question: “O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing," the Saints were told: "I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the Bishop of my Church of Zion, for the building of mine house and for the laying the foundation of Zion, and for the priesthood and for the debts of the presidency of my church." 10
Ten days later another revelation explained that surplus tithing was to be "disposed of by a Council composed of the First Presidency ... and of the Bishop and his Council; and by my High Council" (D&C 120). On 26 July still further instruction declared that the "first presidency [should] keep all their properties, that they can dispose of to their advantage and Support and the remainder be put into the hands of the Bishop or Bishops agreeably to the commandments, and revelations.” ll For those unwilling to be so "tithed," the 8 July revelation threatened: "If my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion ... behold verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you." 12
Rigdon expanded on the revelation's warning, adding that noncompliers would be "delivered over to the brother of Gideon and be sent bounding over the Prairies as the dissenters were a few days ago.” 13

I think the real issue is *enforced* tithing. Based on Matt 23.23 I have no problem with the idea and welcome people who want to give 10% to their church (or charity of choice). However it should never be mandatory, still less a block to some holy promise like the 'temple' or a form of enlightenment

+1

This parable from Luke 18:
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (sound familiar?) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ (he's got his TR for sure) But the tax collector, (how'd he get in the temple?) standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (not exalted as in getting your own world)

Before anyone jumps on the second man calling himself a sinner, tie into the indisputable fact that we all do wrong, intentionally and unintentionally, and this guy didn't confess to a priest (bishop) but only to God. And Jesus said he went home justified; the guy who fasted, tithed and was caught up in his own superiority wasn't.

"Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." Donate to charities that help people, give your spare change to the homeless guy without judging because it's what God really wants.

why the LDS church doesn't emphasize the Bible.

... but every word that proceedeth from the mouth of JS & Cowdery.

"the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you."

"the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you," is from Matthew. Of course the concept doesn't work in tscc.

This is what I never understood about Mormons and tithing. Malachi 3:10 is quoted over and over again. But then out of the other side of the mouth comes continuing and new revelation. So we have new revelation stating "surplus" and "interest", and Malachi stating "whole". I always thought it was surplus after your needs(at least that is what was taught in other churches).

I think based upon history and Hebrews 7, the tithe was dropped since it failed the Grace of the New Covenant.
And it took more than 500 years before tithing was even mentioned among Catholics.
Tithes were mentioned in councils at Tours in 567 and at Mâcon in 585. They were formally recognized under Pope Adrian I in 787.

Anybody ever know of a person being denied baptism because they would not agree to giving up their 10%?

This topic has become a major issue for me and my family. I would be happy to pay 10% of my surplus.

Income = $XXX,XXX
Expenses = $XXX,XXX

Surplus before vacations or stashing cash in my safe = $10,000. It's not cheap to put 4 children through college and 1 through high school. My surplus is tight.

10% of my surplus = $1,000.

Happy to do it. If I knew my money was going to my ward congregation, or local needs, then I'd give more of my surplus, or do a bake sale, or donate labor (like cleaning the building).

However, forking over tens of thousands of dollars and then have TSCC build a mall, buy huge parcels of land, acquire, own and operate for-profit companies and FINALLY, not disclose how they are using my money, not happening any longer.

Now the fact that TSCC can control my attendance at my children's weddings is an issue. I'm setting the stage now that all my children will be comfortable about getting married outside the temple. Not sure if it will work or I will cave, but I won't be paying 10% of my gross income ever, ever again.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2013 12:41AM by Doubting Thomas.

I am amazed that many Utah Christian churches I have investigated push the need to tithe much more than I think is appropriate ----- the pastors are converted to becoming rich based on LDS inc. model. I was amazed and dismayed to hear a Christian friend appear to brag that he was a full tithe payer. I consider myself a Christian but will go to hell before I become a slave to any church that teaches tithing is required!! I believe the Bible teaches to be a cheerful giver and give based on what God inspires you to give. It is obvious churches need to be supported but we can see from LDS inc. that 10% is grossly over and above church needs!