10ths are money & therfore has economic value

Hi - I'm newbie to this forum and don't know whether one could discuss something in here or whether its only for posting and discussing work? But I have an idea that may concern Christian writers ... its a problem I have been struggling with and I think I have the answer but I want to know what other Christian people who write (I don't believe in concepts such as 'christian writers/poets' or say 'female poetry' etc. by the way and that's why I say 'christians who also writes'). Anyway, if I get feedback on this, I'll come and explain + discuss with you my idea. Or, well, I am still working on it but I think it can solve a lot of problems.

Its about valuerising the 10ths ... view it in an economical theoretical way, 10ths' are money and therefor economic 'investment' really, etc. We can use it to do goodwill payments to people who edit our stories and live in poor countries. It may be a revolutionary idea or just a bum + ethical and theological are attached to it.

Want to hear the 'scheme', the idea? And do you think you can give me advice re it? With the next post I'll explain it fully. The Mod can meanwhile check this, etc.

a

callalily61 said:

Sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about. If you'd like to PM me, I'll see if this topic really belongs here. Thanks.

callalily61
Mod, Christian forum

Click to expand...

No need to - just delete it if it doesn't fit. Yes I'm talking about tithes. Normally one is suppose to give this amount to the 'church' ... but nowhere really it says one should give to 'you' church. One can also give more, etc. So, giving to say an orphanage in Africa is also ok? Isn't it? But what do you give? You give value. And in economics value has to bring up something. So giving it to the orphanage is really giving with the idea behind it that they should use it for the orpahnage and not the nurses holidays, yes? Now the idea of rendement has entered the giving act and it really isn't giving. You could reason, give it to your pastor and he can give it to the orphanage but this doesn't really change the issue, does it? So, from this I have become aware of the 'money' value of tithes. One can 'deal' with it. You write to the orphanage and say that you have decided to support their activities with children and will give this month's tithes to them ... on condition ... see, what I am getting at?

Ok, now the writer's thing - I am now editing a book for a doctor in Philosophy for publishing. But he is poor. He gets very little money in India. Editing is a lot of work especially when you deal with philosophy. And there's copy reading as well, etc. He should really get someone in the West whose mother tongue is English. But he cannot afford it. Ok so far? So what if I take that tithes and pay myself. Ok don't haggle too much because with this 'earnings' I deduct 10 percent and give this to the church. Ethical? Theological? My tithes has helped a poor man and I got paid. Economically I have added value to the tithes and have started a sustainable commerce. The more I 'pay' myself the richer he becomes. Because he doesn't have to pay money for another editor, he can print his book, sell it and makes a better living. There's the same 'condition' as with the orphanage.

It this works then I just have discovered a way of payment over the internet that doesn't squander money. Example - a friend of mine in the USA has let a book been printed in India and when she had them send to the USA the taxes were about 5 times what the book printing costed. She was ruiend! The west protects imports from the east. Ok, I must say, if my idea (I still have to work it out further and pssst my English isn't that good!) passes the ethical and theological tests then there's this problem that it a a subversive idea harming the state. The state and the 'normal' economy dfoesn't profit from my payments.

Can someone think with me on this one? How can we goodwill jobs for (poor) people without becoming idiots that work free? What and how can goodwill be used to get things done (re literature) ... and this payment thing? Please also formulate this better for me.

callalily61 said:

If you don't want to tithe, aspier, then don't tithe. Period. If you want to give money to charitable causes, then do it. Period.

It sounds like you're proposing a version of micro-loans--the organizations that take someone's $50 and use it to help people in desperately poor countries start a cottage industry and become self-sufficient.

IMO, micro-loans are a terrific idea.

Or perhaps you're not proposing this. I'm not sure.

Either way, what does this have to do with Christian-themed writing? That's the purpose of this room.

Click to expand...

No it hasn't anything to do with XP-themed writing yet I think it is an issue concerning XP writers (XP= XPIZTOS = Christ). But better just delete the thread ok?

Mara, yes, something like it - I know it sounds weird as one can say 'well, give if you want to give' and I am for that. And also, 'help others and don't get tired of it', etc. But I want to help this Indian friend whom I met 2007 at an International poetry festival. If I don't he won't get anywhere with his book but it is so much work to fix it as many things in it aren't ok, etc.
Suppose I give him my tithes to get an editor then one can say, ok problem solved. But suppose also I am the best editor (re content - philosphy + crit) to do the job ... then he just have to send me back my tithes. There the idea comes from - use the tithes as an economic commodity. Buy value with it and hand it over to yourself. I hope this is clearer, no? I wonder what a preacher would say about this?

Basically I am looking for a system of how can we put up a 'goodwill system' on the internet to 'pay' for the work that people do, us and others? How can he pay me if I spend three months and many hours fixing his book? With three smileys? I and I suppose you too, just cannot work free. Or you can and do, but to an extend, etc. How can we develope a fair system, a kind of 'bartering', to get this out of the way and just be able to focus on the real literary work? What can we barter with? A virtual kind of dollar bill?

For those who don't know me - here is what I do ... opera critic!
http://users.skynet.be/spier/indexoperapages.htm

You think its a stupid question?

Mara said:

Okay, I'm trying to figure this out.

Are you saying that you'd set aside 10% of your income for tithes, and then pay yourself out of that 10% for things that you think are helping the Church (as defined as the people, not the formal organization)?

Click to expand...

Are tithes for the church ... or those who are in need? Pastoral ... or buying new benches for the church? I don't know really, you?

callalily61 said:

aspier, if you want me to close this thread, I will. It seems to have more to do with your ideas about distributing money for editing your books and/or someone else's books. It doesn't really have much to do with writing Christian fic and NF. However, since you've put the discussion in terms of tithing, I'm going to leave it in this room rather than move it.

PM me if you decide you'd like me to close the thread.

Click to expand...

Ok, yes, but after some time just whoosh delte it, don't archive it, etc. Maryn, I was thinking that exact same things just after I posted. Tithes has much to do with trust. When you give it to the church you 'trust' this give away ... kind of bread on the water and faith 'sends' it across the ocean and 'whoops' it falls in the lap of that friend of mine whose 'content logic' I am now checking against his 'language logic' and he can pay his/a copywriter. I am not joking. Trust + tiths worl that way. Plus giving is giving and that 'conditioning' isn't suppose to be part of it. Actually the act of giving has its power because of its unconditionality! So my 'revolutionary idea' didn't cut the edge. But this doesn't solve the problem I am sure many writers have, christian and others. They 'know' people (on the web), get affinated and asked to help with written pieces. This friend of mine has a book on religion, by the way ... he is a professor in Philosophy and probably an ex-hindoe believer or just plain athiest, etc. and the chapters in his book are discussions from conferences. Its material that could lead to discussions by westerner religious students. Now Christianity is all about openness and discussion (listening) and helping him now I would assist in this process BUT this isn't my main bussiness in life. I rather go have a drink with Christians or have a Sunday. I don't say this as a justification nor as a promotive stunt bit advetising I am the best helper etc. Rather a kind of bigger picture. BUT now there is that stupid practicallity ... I don't even want his money and/or reciprocation ... its just I don't want to drawn into a thing in which I end up with the feeling I am being exploited. Ok, he doesn't exploit me - its not in his mind - Indians take it for granted that one should help them. Now this bigger piucture is where he slowly learns about how 'we' are different and I learn how he is different. Using co-participation to come to a mutual understanding of our differences. This 'oikos + mene' concept - 'in the House of Lord + many rooms'. The only thing now that hampers this little bud of something beautiful from blooming + the serious work (literature) being getting done, is the lack of an automated system of 'payment'. Remember, the system of sending monies across oceans is unfair as protective measures from Governments favours the great capital - Microsoft gets deductions as hi 'stimulates' trade and workforce but a writer who support the small printing press initiatives are punished. I cannot even 'pay' some of the people that workshop with me on opera articles. Not that I don't have the money, its just too expensive to get it there ... part of and reason why the economy is so bad in the USA. Your government don't allow 'initiave money' in. It wants to tax it. Many of you American writers can make a lot of income by just 'selling' the fact that you r mother tongue is English, etc. As Christians we should voice this distructive to the western culture measurments and refuse to accept unfair laws. With the post I had thought 'why don't we stand up and device a system' and solve this problem to everybody's good? I think there is a tremendous responsibility on the shoulders of Christians - the warming up of the world and our whole system of values needs to be pondered and solutions and changes have to be initiated. We GOT to find ways to have different ways of exchange.

Oeee, and I thought I was a thinker ... ! Oops!


[MOD - let this hang a few days ... week? And the delete the thread, plse. Is there somewhere here an Office Party for Christians? The 'normal one' ... well, its unusable for a serious discussion? Tnx for you patients, ok? I'll also check around to really see what's going on in here.]