The Law of Tithing

Thank you Sister Noren for a great lesson on the Law of Tithing. 

A few highlights: 

The Law of Tithing.  Is it all about the money?

The Law of Tithing is an attitude in our hearts.

A story of two missionaries teaching a struggling family.  One missionary is dreading telling this family that has nothing about the law of tithing.  The second missionary says he can't wait to tell this family about the law of tithing and the blessings that are in store for them.

Elder Pratt tells a story of his grandfather.  His grandfather was excited about an extra $100 and the only money they had to their name that would allow them to buy clothes and essentials for the upcoming school year.  His wife reminded him that while they had had no cash money all summer they did have food from their animals and the garden and that the money ought to go for tithing.  They paid all the money towards tithing and shortly after he received a job as a guide.  When the man that had hired him paid him for the job, he took the money, paid what was owed for food and equipment and returned the extra money back to the man.  The man turned around and gave him the leftover money, exactly $100. 

Yes, we are blessed but there is more to it than that.  Here are a few of the blessings we gain from paying tithing.

Humility

All I have is the Lord's.  Do we really believe that?

Elder Pratt says paying tithing helps us develop a submissive and grateful heart.

Dedication

Obedience

The Lord asked us to do it.  Sometimes we'd rather not but, we do.  If we can be obedient to the law of tithing, we can then hopefully be obedient to other aspects of the gospel. 

Pratt says, like his grandparents, we pay regardless of financial conditions.  The Lord expects us to pay from the first of our income not the leftover of our income.

Faith

Can't the Lord do more with our 10% than we could do with it?

A story was shared of a widow that went to pay her tithing and her bishop told her that she should hold on to it, that she couldn't afford to pay.  Her response was that she couldn't afford NOT to.

One sister pointed out that we do have to be careful in our thinking.  The Lord does not promise wealth.  Blessings may not be immediate or even temporal.  We can come to understand that the Lord's richest blessings are spiritual.

Gratitude

Love for the Lord

Service

Our tithing goes for a greater good.  We are helping without even recognizing where our money goes.  It goes all over the world and used where it is most needed. 

Sacrifice

Giving up something good now for something better in the future. 

One sister shared her thoughts as a convert that paying her tithing helped her feel a part of the church.

Integrity

Between you and the Lord.  No one is checking your pay stubs to prove that you are indeed paying all you owe. 

Spiritual Blessings

Tithing is an attitude in our hearts. 

Sister Noren ended with the thought that when we are shown our "book of life", will we be surprised at how many blessings, miracles or tender mercies came to us because we saw paying tithing as a blessing and not a burden.