It would seem to me that it's an increase, therefore it is subject to tithing. It certainly isn't filthy lucre. It could be argued, I guess, that tithing had been paid on it once (assuming that you are inheriting from a faithful LDS), but then you wouldn't have to pay tithing if the owner of your company was LDS, and that doesn't make sense.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
I tend towards saying "Yes", because like all unexpected windfalls that I have a tendency to attribute to God, I'd like to say I'm willing to pay it on that too... and well... I like the idea of blessings so great that you have not room enough to contain them.
I always pay tithing on cash gifts too, though... I know that there's a very compelling logical argument against doing so.
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Arbi, your argument breaks down on the fact that an LDS employer does not pay tithing on his business expenses, which includes his employee's wages.
I have always had a bit of a problem when money changes hands between family members... for example when I pay tithing on my gross income and then turn around and give my child an allowance and they pay tithing on it too. I teach them to do it because the reason they are getting an allowance in the first place is to learn how to manage money and develop the habit of paying tithing.
Maybe I should deduct all the costs associated with raising children before paying tithing, kind of like a business. With a very long term product.
The govt doesn't tax inheritance under a certain value....
Hmm, I'd say yes for cash inheritances or valuable things like stocks or land. If they weren't liquid assets, then I'd probably spread out the tithing over a period of time, depending on the situation. But I wouldn't pay tithing on the value of keepsakes or furniture or pets or items of sentimental value.
I think paying tithings on scholarships, gifts and inheritances are up to the recipient, but you did ask for opinions.
I don't think the Lord cares if the amount has been tithed before by somebody else. It's all His anyway. Tithing is for us, not for Him. So in that regard, if it's my increase then I'll tithe.
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
In my case, when we were going to buy my home, my grandfather gave us a sum to use for the downpayment. I mentioned something about paying tithing on it. I was told that tithing had been paid on it previously that it was a gift for the downpayment. It was a nice sum, a bit over 10% of the price of the home. I did not pay on it per the wishes of the giver. I could not pay it now. I have taken the view that it was a blessing for having always been a faithful tithe payer and that a window of heaven was opened when it was needed.
Depending on your view, Christmas gifts, birthday presents all represent a monetary value that is an increase, it is something you did not have before.
You can nickel and dime it to death.
I have never gotten into the argument of gross vs. net or anything like that, pay on gross, have been generous on it, paid it when it financially was a stress and challenge. So, I figure it evens out along the way. Ultimately, when, if, I receive an inheritance, tithing will be paid.
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Lo, there I see my mother, my sisters, my brothers Lo, there I see the line of my people back to the beginning Lo, they call to me, they bid me take my place among them In the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live...forever
When we received an inheritance once we asked our bishop about whether we should pay tithing on it. He didn't say no and he didn't say yes. He said it was up to us considering it wasn't money we actually earned. It was a gift.
I would say no, unless of course you did 'earn' it by stalking the departing loved one and put a lot of time into becoming the favorite a la Lex Luthor.
When we received an inheritance once we asked our bishop about whether we should pay tithing on it. He didn't say no and he didn't say yes. He said it was up to us considering it wasn't money we actually earned. It was a gift.
Ok... so what did you do?
I agree with Val on the Christmas/birthday gift thing. That seems obvious enough.
This situation seems different somehow. I can't put my finger on why. Is it the amount? Is it because of the emotions about the event (death) that caused the money to be inherited? I don't understand why exactly I am conflicted about this.
You don't have to earn something for it to be increase.
Gifts are an increase.
The law of tithing requires one-tenth of your increase annually.
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no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
When we received an inheritance once we asked our bishop about whether we should pay tithing on it. He didn't say no and he didn't say yes. He said it was up to us considering it wasn't money we actually earned. It was a gift.
Ok... so what did you do?
I agree with Val on the Christmas/birthday gift thing. That seems obvious enough.
This situation seems different somehow. I can't put my finger on why. Is it the amount? Is it because of the emotions about the event (death) that caused the money to be inherited? I don't understand why exactly I am conflicted about this.
Bok, what we did was entirely between us and The Lord, just as our Bishop told us.
And so it is with you and any inheritence you have received as well.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
I have a firm testimony about the law of tithing. Getting married, I was really worried about us being poor college students, and not being able to afford anything, and having to scrape for rent. We've been faithful to paying our tithing, especially since we received so many monetary gifts. We just figure that any money that becomes the lump sum that we will either save or spend, deserves to be tithed.
Let me just say, we have yet to really worry about finances. We set up a good budget, and are pretty good about sticking to it, and we always pay tithing on our increase. And just when finances could almost be a problem, we get another grant in the mail for school or whatever we need it for.
For me, tithing is a commandment of humility. Ultimately, everything we are giving comes from God, and tithing is a constant reminder of that. It's one of those cycles where he gives us something, and we try to repay him, but he repays us and blesses us far more than we could ever have hoped.
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Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
— Oscar Wilde
