Taxes and Tariffs + Tithes and Alms = Ordinances of Efficiency and Honesty

Is it truly unfortunate for the suffering of people? People who like everybody really, NEED shelter, the ability to provide for themselves the basic necessities of life, and the opportunities to profit from the sweat of their own brow?

One really wonders where the compassion is in a government that watches and allows this (rampant bank take-over of housing, especially in Detroit) to slowly transpire. What happened to the enshrined declaration “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” (U.S.A. Declaration of Independence)? I would like to emphasise “MUTUALLY”.

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One can also wonder where the mercies are in various churches that may carry a burden of financial debt, by way of contracts of employment, pension funds, and perhaps even capital mortgages ? The results of their business strategies fail, due to the lack of membership and collection of tithes. Or, perhaps they have funnelled their wealth to the private cabal at the tops of their hierarchy.

In any case, the consequence they experience is the inability to implement the very efficiencies of Mercy and Compassion towards those who frequent them; towards those who need the very Good Samaritan in the Good Word they esteem and supposedly study. What happened to the honourable missions of these churches which funnel offerings and gain the riches of the whole world, only to lose their souls, according to the Holy writ they ostensibly parade?

What of the others, whose miserly accounts head them towards bankruptcy ? Will their Parishioners lose their pensions to the markets and insurance companies? Will the banks offer them a reprise - a second and third chance to organize and remit payments owed, or will they initiate a vigorous reprisal of what amounts to an aggressive takeover of chattels and ware, expertly brought on through their team of lawyers in wait, on retainer, at their first recognition of legalistic dominance ?

Perhaps the churches, both shepherds and flocks, who cannot afford to be charitable to those in need should consider if the paradigm they operate under is entirely viable …

Or, could it be that their model of operation and administration does not align to the teachings of the One they declare to espouse, akin to a house that is against itself, surely to fall, as it is written. Perhaps their membership should consider the fruits they can or cannot see. Who is it that does not produce; does it symbolize the fig tree that the Lord caused to wither; could it symbolize the brother to him that is a great waster? (Proverbs 18:9)

Our very well-being depends on a circumspect wisdom that proves the Lord, wherefore, how long can we remain remiss in the wilderness, ultimately by our own choice ? Should we not return to Him that has Promised us that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” ? (1 Corinthians 14:33)

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On the other hand, it is NOT the responsibility of Governments to provide for their people, rather only to FACILITATE their providence, and provide the Governance of a FREE and CIVILIZED population and Land (read: Nation as compared to Inter-Nation [al]). It is also their responsibility to prudently “Bank” on this.

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It is the inherent responsibility of all churches to provide assistance, i.e.: “divine Providence” to their members who find themselves in need. THAT’S WHY they don’t pay taxes - not to pay the wages of and provide income for the clergy and “administration”, but to teach preparedness in the Words they convey; preparedness for this life (character development, and a living relationship with God) and for the subsequent one (eternity, where we are perfectly restored - including the restoration of the character that we have each developed and the resultant relationship that character sought with God) to surely come. They must have recognized the situations being developed in real time (at least), verily, if the members and Preachers, etc. care enough for one another. Divine Providence [Scripture] also clearly describes the necessary caring relationships we must foster with one another, to share one another’s burdens, etc.

Now to the reasonable rational:

“Members” must pay a consistent and honest Tithing; the church “Banks” on this - not to pay filthy lucre to its Priests, etc. but to assist their members when justified. The Holy Book (KJV) of Titus 1:4-16 applies to above and below. It reads:

“To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (5) For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (6) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (7) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. (12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (13) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (14) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (15) Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

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The reasonable rational is that ALL “Citizens” (i.e.: ALL "members", including indigenous Aboriginal polulations) must pay their taxes, consistently and honestly; and let’s face it, the Tax Department has the authority and wherewithal to see that this is done (or, it should be the case). These taxes are meant to pay for the INFRASTRUCTURE a nation requires; such as to Educate (facilitate), Defend, Build and Sustain safe Utilities and Transportation capital, and Manage (Govern) these responsibilities in an Accountable and Democratic manner.

Pay your taxes people! For the infrastructure demands it, and it cannot happen by magic or by wishful thinking, or by crafty design - it is just a fact that this reasonable reality exists. If your politicians are not honest and diligent, keeping in mind that understandings and therefore minds and plans can change, then vote them out, and hold them accountable (like everyone else) for their crimes, if any.

Cherish your vote, and support your democratic freedom. Accept results; yet always endeavour to improve upon them. Be ye angry when justifiable, but sin not. Arouse your faculties and be not slothful - then be resourceful and creative. Hopefully you are living in a Free Country that allows for "free association and lawful assembly" - but do not abuse this right; neither encourage others to do so, especially through the irresponsible use of electronic telecommunications (and your right free speech, as far as it is reasonably protected, i.e.: do not monger hate) - anarchy will only be the inevitable result. It is indeed better to be practical and thrifty than to be whining and scornful.

Do Not Occupy any public property or "territory" that is managed respectfully and peacefully, rather, leave a blessing and a token of respect, and be done with it. Move if you have to move; relocate to anywhere you may peaceably exist in "industrious" fashion. Choose a church that will help you help yourself; hopefully your government allows this - for it only makes sense.

Should not, perhaps, or must not perhaps the government establish a law AND enforce churches to provide for their members through times of hardship? Or, at least ought not they encourage this responsibility?

Is it not ALREADY (by virtue of doctrine or creed) an inherent responsibility of churches to provide for their members housing and basic necessities THROUGH times of hardship? I suggest, if this is not the case, then the particular “church” and /or its doctrine is remiss, and therefore those particular churches should have to pay taxes. Otherwise, the ones which are remiss in this respect are reduced to being just another “educational”, money-making institution, and perhaps even a sham. Yes, there are many religious followings that are indeed shams, if not in its purest sense, then veiled money-grabbing shams. One way to know is if the top leadership is getting rich from their "service" to who they disguise as God; and if they run international gigs, you can bet that they hide their loot somewhere or in some way that they don't have to pay taxes to the government(s) of their citizenship or citizenships.

3 Nephi 14:20

"Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them."

Who then will hold into account their churches for this responsibility?

- The members themselves (perhaps by “voting” with their feet)?

- The hierarchy of the church organizations?

- The government of the nations wherein the churches reside without paying taxes?

Who then will - and, WHEN?

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People, GO to Church, and employ a “Scientific Method to TEST FAITH” (Google this term); is yours up to the challenge? …

Matthew 22: 19-21 clearly states: [The LORD said,] “Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”

Indeed, we have the Onus on us, by way of Command straight from the Lord.

Finally, below is a prayer and petition of mine (which you are welcome to join) to our Heavenly Father Most High, preceded by a poem that I have recently been inspired to compose (and I hope to expand on when possible).

Please comment below and briefly share your viewpoint.

HELP BRING THIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS WHO NEED TO CONSIDER IT;

- IN THE LIVES THEY LIVE,

- IN THE OFFICES THEY HOLD,

- AND IN THE PROFESSIONS THEY ENGAGE.

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“The Word of the LORD is the sword of Truth; it pierces hardened hearts. What follows then, from milk to meat - if not trifled with - is a purging of confusion; a desire to Atone; and a wonderful re-union with the One who guides us home.”

© Copyright December 09, 2011, Timothy Alexander Donnelly.

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Dear God, our Heavenly Father Most High, we come before thee in meekness and want, and ask thee to bless in thine infinite might, the Free and Civilized Nations governed righteously under the LORD. Bless each of us also forthwith, if it is thy will, to individually and collectively have bestowed and mete upon us an appropriate measure of the Divine Providence and Fine Blessings promised to us from GOD, both in a Spiritual and in a Temporal Terrestrial nature, predicated upon our obedience and also upon our desire to come unto thee.

Accept our meagre tithes and alms. Magnify our honest altruism for thy glory and for the welfare of thy children. Accept each prodigal son, and adopt those who cry Abba unto thee. Bring us under thy wing.

Help us, Oh God manage our inheritance in an expedient and responsible way, with a love and compassion for Thine own, and also for the downtrodden.

Help us to repent, and come further into thy grace; yea, bless us even with a remission of sins, so that we may forever gird up our loins and remain faithful and free. Enable us henceforth to more easily flee from the scourge of a reprobate heart, even the carnal nature we are stricken with but desire not.

In deed, help us to discern, hearken and heed thy words and thy promptings; help us to find a sure refuge in the Atonement of Christ. Manifest thy Spirit in our homes, in our schools, in our communities, in our Nations, and also in thine churches, for our profit, Oh Heavenly Father, and for thy eternal glory.

Bless also our enemies where they may be, and those who are poor in Spirit, that they may receive a conviction of conscience, so that we may be more fully protected from the influence of hedonistic lifestyles, and from the abhorrent nature of those with uncircumcised hearts, and also even specially from those liars who are of the circumcision, who lie in wait to encircle us with their pestilent persuasions - full of filth and greed and envy, and all manner of sin.

Oh God, we humbly and with unspeakable awe recognize Thy Glorious Magnificence and Goodwill towards men; and we pray for thy guidance and blessing as we strive to follow only thee.

Etch and sear thy Commandments in our hearts, Oh God, and cause that thy Holy Spirit distil a true understanding of thy teachings in our minds, for a quickening of our spirits, for a greater wisdom, and for an undying and undeniable testimony of the truth of thy Son, even of thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world and THE Redeemer of the faithful - even thy Son whose Immaculate Birth we mark, in grateful praise and adoration, in this celebrated Christmas season. Help us to share the joys of this veritable occasion, and may this prayer reach the ends of the earth, and more specially, may this prayer reach unto the centre of the sphere of the highest heaven, and even unto thee - in the sacred name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

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