Hello! I am wondering how I should pay tithe? I work from home caring for children. I make very little money. However, I sometimes receive child support, and I get a tax benefit from the Canadian government. Do I pay tithe on everything? Or just my meager salary?
3 Responses to “Hello! I am wondering how I should pay tithe? I work…”
Leonardo Leal
2015-01-10 11:08:33
Christ's Parable of the Widow's Mite
Hi "LDS Mess." (Great username!) It's wonderful that you're so dedicated to paying tithing. God has asked us to tithe our "increase," but it's really up to each person to determine what exactly that means for them. I'm happy to give my opinion, though, in case it's helpful.
1) I don't think you should pay tithing on the child support. That money is paid with the understanding that it will directly benefit your child. Any other use doesn't seem appropriate to me. Beyond that, though, the father of your child is the one who should have paid tithing on that money when he earned it. Even if he didn't (perhaps, understandably, because he's not a member of the church), it's not your responsibility.
2) By "tax benefit," I assume you mean your tax rate is lower that it would otherwise be, or that you get some sort of tax refund. In my opinion, you shouldn't pay tithing on that money either, because you already tithed it when you first earned it (or at least will going forward). There's no reason to pay tithing on the same money twice. The Lord only asks for 10%.
3) The money you earn for child care seems to me to be "increase," so I would tithe that. It doesn't matter that your tithing will be less because your salary is "meager." In the end, it's not the amount of money in absolute terms that even matters. It's the willingness to put God first and to follow His commandments. A person who makes $10 a day and gives their 10% in tithing is just as consecrated as the millionaire who gives his 10%. More so, given what Christ so beautifully taught in the Parable of the Widow's Mite.
It sounds like you're managing to make ends meet, but also know that the bishop can provide help (food, etc.) if you ever find yourself in a desperate place. No one should ever have to go hungry.
I hope this answer helps. Please do let me know if you have any further questions. Very happy to help further.
Pamela Bonta
2015-01-07 06:51:05
These are the guidelines I was given when I was in a situation similar to yours:
1. Child support was not my income. It was my ex's income. He should have paid tithing on it, not me.
2. If you pay tithing on your gross income, then tax benefits or tax returns that you receive have already had the tithing paid. If you pay tithing on your net income, then you should pay tithing on any tax benefits or returns that you receive.
3. You should pay tithing on your income from child care, regardless of how much or how little it is. Remember the widow's mite - it's not how much you give in total, it's 10% of what you have, no matter how big or small.
For further clarification for your particular situation, you should counsel with your Bishop.
John
2015-01-12 09:02:57
It's wonderful to hear from a Canadian! I was a missionary in Canada, and have so much love for the Canadian land and people. I also want to say how greatly I honor you for your dedication to your faith and your children. Raising children while working in another job is a monumental task! When income is meager, as you've described, it is all the more challenging. I hope you know how wonderful you are for doing the sacred work of motherhood!
I would add an idea regarding the tax benefit. If it is money for a refund on overpaid taxes, then you have already paid tithing on it and there's no need to pay tithing on it again. However, if it is money beyond that from refundable tax credits (for example, a tax credit for childcare), I think it is an opportunity the Lord hopes to bless you from. I would encourage you to pay tithing on those. I have felt blessed personally from paying tithing on money in that case. I know that the Lord is especially eager for every chance to bless you and your sweet family!
1) I don't think you should pay tithing on the child support. That money is paid with the understanding that it will directly benefit your child. Any other use doesn't seem appropriate to me. Beyond that, though, the father of your child is the one who should have paid tithing on that money when he earned it. Even if he didn't (perhaps, understandably, because he's not a member of the church), it's not your responsibility.
2) By "tax benefit," I assume you mean your tax rate is lower that it would otherwise be, or that you get some sort of tax refund. In my opinion, you shouldn't pay tithing on that money either, because you already tithed it when you first earned it (or at least will going forward). There's no reason to pay tithing on the same money twice. The Lord only asks for 10%.
3) The money you earn for child care seems to me to be "increase," so I would tithe that. It doesn't matter that your tithing will be less because your salary is "meager." In the end, it's not the amount of money in absolute terms that even matters. It's the willingness to put God first and to follow His commandments. A person who makes $10 a day and gives their 10% in tithing is just as consecrated as the millionaire who gives his 10%. More so, given what Christ so beautifully taught in the Parable of the Widow's Mite.
It sounds like you're managing to make ends meet, but also know that the bishop can provide help (food, etc.) if you ever find yourself in a desperate place. No one should ever have to go hungry.
I hope this answer helps. Please do let me know if you have any further questions. Very happy to help further.
1. Child support was not my income. It was my ex's income. He should have paid tithing on it, not me.
2. If you pay tithing on your gross income, then tax benefits or tax returns that you receive have already had the tithing paid. If you pay tithing on your net income, then you should pay tithing on any tax benefits or returns that you receive.
3. You should pay tithing on your income from child care, regardless of how much or how little it is. Remember the widow's mite - it's not how much you give in total, it's 10% of what you have, no matter how big or small.
For further clarification for your particular situation, you should counsel with your Bishop.
I would add an idea regarding the tax benefit. If it is money for a refund on overpaid taxes, then you have already paid tithing on it and there's no need to pay tithing on it again. However, if it is money beyond that from refundable tax credits (for example, a tax credit for childcare), I think it is an opportunity the Lord hopes to bless you from. I would encourage you to pay tithing on those. I have felt blessed personally from paying tithing on money in that case. I know that the Lord is especially eager for every chance to bless you and your sweet family!