Tithes and offering is always a touchy subject because some churches have mismanaged the donations from congregants. But did you know in the Israelites were commanded, by God, to give the tithe away every three years? Watch TT20 as we discuss whether or not the church and or even society could end poverty or unemployment if it gave 10% of it’s income away every 3 years.

Notes

Deu 14

²⁸ Every third year you shall bring out the full tithe of your produce for that year, and store it within your towns; ²⁹ the Levites, because they have no allotment or inheritance with you, as well as the resident aliens, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, may come and eat their fill so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work that you undertake. ^[1]

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full. ^[2]

Some readings say Levites were the keepers of the church

Other readings say that they were also priest

Charitable donations are tax deductible (that includes tithes)

It was also of great importance to the deuteronomic authors that the tithe fulfilled a second role in providing a supply of food for the support of the levitical priesthood and the poor of the community. They, too, held a place within the larger community, and it was essential that they, too, be provided for and that their basic needs be met.^[3]

The tithe came to fulfill many significant purposes. It reminded the worshiper that, in harvesting the crops or counting the offspring of flocks and herds, there had occurred an act of receiving, and not simply of producing. The worshiper had participated in a life-sustaining cycle in which he or she had co-operated, but over which only God had ultimate control.^[4]

Can the church really put an end to homelessness or unemployment?

Mormon church earns $7 billion a year from tithing, analysis indicates

Monday Aug 13, 2012

http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/13/13262285-mormon-church-earns-7-billion-a-year-from-tithing-analysis-indicates

Relying heavily on church records in countries that require far more disclosure than the United States, Cragun and Reuters estimate that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brings in some $7 billion annually in tithes and other donations.

How have you seen tithes managed?

What if the top 20% wealthiest households in America gave away a tithe every three years?

How close to the 1% is your household?

http://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/income-rank/

What are the poor supposed to do when they are born into bad situations?

https://www.facebook.com/teamdelorean/videos/10153763136669767/

Is Socialism bad?

A population collectively controls the means of production and distributes the end result proportionately. Control is delegated by the state. It’s supposed to guarantee a level playing field… education, housing etc

– Finland (has free education)

– The problem is when all of the power is left in the governments hands, especially if that government system is abusive  — Nazi

Socialist Programs

• Food Stamps
• Public Schools
• Food Stamps/ The WIC Program / Welfare
• Head Start
• Public Libraries
• Free Lunch Program

^[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Dt 14:29). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

^[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Pr 19:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

^[3] Clements, R. E. (1994–2004). The Book of Deuteronomy. In L. E. Keck (Ed.), New Interpreter’s Bible (Vol. 2, p. 403). Nashville: Abingdon Press.

^[4] Clements, R. E. (1994–2004). The Book of Deuteronomy. In L. E. Keck (Ed.), New Interpreter’s Bible (Vol. 2, p. 403). Nashville: Abingdon Press.