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God has commanded his children
to “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Such a commandment prepares us for life in the eternities
through trust in the Lord, personal sacrifice, and gratitude.
One way of expressing gratitude to the Lord is through the
paying of tithes and offerings.
Scriptural History of Tithing
The principle and commandment of tithing is found in both the
Old and New Testament where Abraham and Jacob willingly gave
one-tenth of their increase as an offering (Hebrews 7:1–10;
Genesis 28:20–22). The book of Leviticus provides details on
how such offerings were made before the time of Christ,
including the giving of prized animals and crops prior to
meeting our own needs (Leviticus 27:30-32). Christ identified
the significance of the widow’s tithing as an example of this
important principle (Mark 12, verses 41 to 44).
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Malachi 3:8-9 from the Old Testament reads: “Will a man rob
God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed
thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for
ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” The stern nature
of this scripture suggests the Lord is not pleased when his
children hold back the financial blessings he has bestowed
upon them—even to the point of inferring that those who do so
are robbing Him. By not tithing we literally rob God.
Tithing is a Commandment in our Day
In these latter days the commandment of tithing has been fully
restored and reinforced as the Lord revealed to the prophet
Joseph Smith: “This shall be the beginning of the tithing of
my people. And after that, those who have thus been tithed
shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this
shall be a standing law unto them forever” (D&C 119:3–4).
Tithing is not only a commandment, it is an opportunity to
demonstrate our faithfulness to the Lord. Such faithfulness
should be shown willingly, as the apostle Paul taught: “Let
him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Stephen L. Richards
taught, “When one pays his tithing without enjoyment he is
robbed of a part of the blessing. He must learn to give
cheerfully, willingly and joyfully, and his gift will be
blessed” (Stephen L. Richards, The Law of Tithing [pamphlet].
1983], 8).
Other Types of Offerings to the Lord
Besides tithing there are other opportunities to give charity
to those in need, helping to build the kingdom of God on
earth.
Fast Offerings
Fast offerings can be made on a regular basis following the
regular monthly fast of two meals. The money saved from those
two meals, and any generous additions to that offering, are
given and used to provide for the temporal needs of the poor.
Missionary Funds
Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ across the globe requires
resources over and above that of tithing. Christians are able
to contribute to missionary efforts both locally and
internationally.
Special Offerings
There are regular opportunities to contribute money to special
funds for third world education, humanitarian aid, and to make
scriptures available for those who cannot otherwise afford, or
for those who require the scriptures in a more convenient
fashion (military, etc.).
Service
Members can also offer their time, talents, skills, and other
goods to help others.
The Blessings of Tithing
While giving is an act of faith out of our love for God and
for others by which we benefit spiritually, the Lord goes one
step further and promises to bless us for our sacrifices. The
Lord said, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that
there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith …
if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out
a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”
(Malachi 3:10). These blessings can be both material and
spiritual and validate the promise made by the Lord the
scripture quoted earlier from Matthew 6:33—that all of these
things will be added unto you.
Conclusion
Some Christians unfortunately view tithing as a way for greedy
preachers and mega churches to line their own pockets for the
benefit of a chosen few. Although this has surely happened
before, and is likely to happen in the future with some
churches run by wicked individuals, it doesn’t mean that we as
Christians forgo the counsel of the Lord regarding tithing.
The scriptures make clear that tithing is a commandment and is
an outward sign of one’s faith and willingness to sacrifice
for the building of the kingdom. In the event we give tithing
and the receiver uses it for unrighteous purposes, then the
sin be upon them—not the tithe payer. The tithe payer will be
blessed for his or her faithfulness according to the promises
of the Lord as outlined in the scriptures.
Doctrinal
Study: Church
Practices: Tithes and Offerings
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Sword Series™ essay on Tithes and Offerings |
