You don't understand Tithing!

[_SuperDell]

Relative who is a fine Artist and actually makes his living with it had his Bishop go off on him at Tithing Settlement. Seems the Bishop doesn't like the fact that he figures his tithing on 10% of his "increase" - and that figure comes from what he reports on his taxes each year. Bishop told him he did not understand Tithing or he would be paying "ten times what he is now".

He travels a few times a year to work on location and the costs do mount up. He tracks all expenses carefully and has a mutual friend (CPA) do his taxes.

His travel vehicle is nine years old and set up for camping on the road. His house is a decent one with a complete separate Studio space on the 10 or so acres he has. He gathers and hand makes and mixes a lot of his materials.

All his income is from his art sales and a few honorariums from lectures and workshops.

You don't buy from him, only from his Rep/Gallery so he does not have to deal with showing and sales personally.

Bishop can't seem to understand how a guy who sells an individual piece for $35,000 isn't a millionaire and paying tithing on all that money he must be making. Bishop has a secure Government job with benefits. So, this year there is no renewal of a Temple Recommend as this turkey is accusing my friend of "holding back from The Lord". He had to turn in his current recommend after the interview.

Friend has been semi on the way out for a few years now & I am guessing this will do it. Recommend was mainly so he could attend a few Temple weddings and with the last of his kids married a few months ago I think he will quit playing the game.

Don't think he will go to the StPrez about it.

Sad to see the drama it has caused in his life. Basically being called a liar. Only guessing but I think this is the push he has needed to fade out of the group.

[_Dr. Shades]

He had to turn in his current recommend after the interview.

Hopefully he made the bishop go and get it from him rather than taking the time and trouble to go back and hand-deliver it to the bishop himself.

[_Meadowchik]

Not just a little ironic for a bishop to distrust the tithing payer while supporting a non-transparent tithing recipient church.

[_Kishkumen]

Not just a little ironic for a bishop to distrust the tithing payer while supporting a non-transparent tithing recipient church.

Bingo.

[_Dr Exiled]

The church makes jacka$$ collection agents out of bishops.

One wonders if the Bishop is even capable of seeing the irony in accusing this man of hiding his assets from the uber secretive church. My guess is that a lot of deprogramming would have to happen prior to the Bishop being able to rationally see what just happened and his role in this.

[_Stem]

What a lovely tithing experience. he should share it at the next testimony meeting. Others in the ward have probably been treated similarly and they can all feel edified with each other.

[_candygal]

I wish he would go to the Stake President. Right or wrong in the SP mind will never the less chastise a Bishop for losing his cool. I hate tithing..

[_cwald]

crap like this happened to me when I was on my way out.

I remember one day I asked my Branch President how my tithing money got spent. He said that it went to a good cause like building churches and temples. I asked him, "how do YOU know?"

Then I asked where all my fast offerings and donations went. He said they were sent to Salt Lake and then SL would send a portion back when requested for help. I was pissed because they didn't get used in our community. He said they went to a good purpose to help out the poor in other parts of the world. I asked, "how do YOU know?"

I finished that conversation with the promise that I would be a full tithing payer the day the church disclosed it's financial statement and was open and honest with it's members about tithing.

I believe the Branch President said, "Once you pay your tithing to the church, it is no longer your business or concern how the money is spent. It's none of your business. It is the church's money to spend as they see fit." Selek from MAD said almost the exact same quote to me in a tithing thread. Pissed me off to no end. I got banned over there that day.

[_moksha]

I believe the Branch President said, "Once you pay your tithing to the church, it is no longer your business or concern how the money is spent. It's none of your business. It is the church's money to spend as they see fit." Selek from MAD said almost the exact same quote to me in a tithing thread.

It makes you wonder whether the Branch President was getting a kickback or skim. Selek gets a commission payment per insult.

[_huckelberry]

10 percent of increase, what is that suppose to mean?? Does not anybody figure self employ by looking at remainder of gross business receipts less business expenses ( including the half of sales that the gallery takes)?(exact percentage may vary a bit)

I can understand somebody not wanting to clarify with the bishop if they do not really believe in the Mormon church. You can send money to the red cross and they will not complain. On the other hand if you believe and actually want to go to the temple (something outside of my understanding) would you not work out an understanding?