I’m yet to meet one of the Pastors you’re referring to. These pastors that you speak of, the ones who obligate their flocks to give 10%, do they kick people out who don’t pony up? I’d love an anecdote.
I haven’t met a pastor who would kick someone out for not donating 10%, but I’ve met several who spend a great deal of time talking about money. On the other hand, I’ve never met a Christian who was oblivious to the fact that churches need donations to survive.
I’m making the point that legalism, a strict requirement to donate a percentage of income, is contrary to New Testament scripture. What do you think Christ would have said about it? He probably would have said ALL of our time and money is the Lord’s and should be treated as such. I can’t give you a precise rule for giving, because there isn’t one. We aren’t subject to the law, and I don’t like it when Christians try to burden their fellow believers with such rules and regulations.
If you're a Mormon and you don't tithe, you lose your temple recommend.
If you lose your temple recommend, you lose not only your "forever family," but hope of reaching the celestial kingdom (highest degree) & you won't become a god of your own planet.
If you lose out on the celestial kingdom, Mormon theology is that you won't live forever with Heavenly Father.
So the tithe in Mormonism is linked to being "kicked out" of Heavenly Father's presence. Mormons say you can still live forever with Jesus, but not heavenly Father.
Hence, when Mormon leaders hold over your head...
...living forever with Heavenly Father...
...living forever w/your own family...
...becoming a god...
...well, hey...now you know why about 80% of Mormons tithe.
That's also sheer legalism.