God’s purpose in giving us commandments is to bless us. He wants to give us eternal life, the greatest of all His gifts (see D&C 14:7). To receive the gift of living with Him forever in families in the celestial kingdom, we must be able to live the laws of that kingdom (see D&C 88:22).
He has given us commandments in this life to help us develop that capacity. The law of tithing is one of those preparatory commandments. The law is that we give to the Lord one-tenth of all our income. It is simple enough that even a child can understand it. I have seen children hand a bishop a tithing envelope that contains one-tenth of the coins they earned.
One of the blessings that comes from paying a full tithing is developing faith to live an even higher law. To live in the celestial kingdom, we must live the law of consecration. There we must be able to feel that all we are and all we have belong to God.
There are at least three ways that paying a full tithe in this life prepares us to feel what we need to feel to receive the gift of eternal life.
First, when we pay our tithes to the Church, our Heavenly Father pours out blessings upon us. Anyone who has consistently paid a full tithe knows that is true. The blessings are sometimes spiritual and sometimes temporal. They are given in the Lord’s time and according to what He knows is best for us.
As those blessings come, our faith is increased that God is the source of everything that is good in our lives. It becomes easier to see that consecration simply recognizes the truth that all of God’s creations are His. It makes us feel gratitude that He asks only 10 percent of what He has already given us. So we are better prepared to live the law of consecration when it will be asked of us.
Second, all of us who have paid a consistent full tithe feel greater confidence in asking God for what we and our families need. He has promised blessings even greater than we can receive when we have been faithful to our covenant to pay our tithes (see Malachi 3:10). So one of the great blessings of tithing is confidence in what the future holds. Whatever our circ*mstances may be, things will work out for the best. As we keep our promises, He will keep His. A feeling of peace is one of the great blessings of paying a full tithe. Those who have kept the commandment of tithing can testify that the blessing of peace is real and precious.
Third, those who pay tithing feel an increase in their love of God and of all God’s children. That increase of love comes from understanding how the Father uses the tithes we offer to bless people in this world and for eternity.
Through His authorized servants, He expends the tithes with great care. The tithe payer helps the Lord build temples, where families can be sealed forever. The tithe payer helps Him send the gospel to people everywhere. The tithe payer helps Him relieve hunger and suffering in His own way through His servants. Any of those servants can tell you how love increased because tithing was used to bless people. And so can the faithful tithe payer.
Tithing settlement is months in the future. I pray that you and your family will begin now to plan and prepare to qualify for the blessings that God pours out on all those who can declare to Him that they are full-tithe payers.
FAQs
Paying tithing brings great blessings, especially in helping us better recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives. The Lord has commanded us to pay tithing. In return, He promises to “open … the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).
What are the three benefits of tithing? ›
5 REASONS WHY TITHING ACTUALLY BENEFITS YOU.
- Tithing helps you to trust GOD.
- Tithing helps you to have faith in GOD's provision.
- Tithing helps you to obey God with what's precious to you.
- Tithing helps you to be more generous.
God promises to bless and provide for the faithful giver. In fact, God makes a dramatic promise if we obey His command to give in Malachi 3:8–11. This passage contains several key points: If we fail to bring our tithes and offerings to God, we are actually robbing Him (Malachi 3:8).
What is the powerful prayer for tithe? ›
Malachi 3:10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
What is the powerful message about tithing? ›
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Encouraging tithing is about inspiring individuals to embrace a generous and giving lifestyle.
Why is tithing so powerful? ›
Tithing shows God that He has 100% of your heart.
God knows if we give back the first 10%, we've placed Him before money. Tithing tells God that He's number one in your life. Why is this so important? Very simple: God won't rest until He's number one in our lives!
What blessings come from paying tithing? ›
The tithe payer helps the Lord build temples, where families can be sealed forever. The tithe payer helps Him send the gospel to people everywhere. The tithe payer helps Him relieve hunger and suffering in His own way through His servants.
Can you be blessed without tithing? ›
It is also important for you to know that today as believers, even if you are unable to tithe, God still loves you and you are still the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Tithing therefore, is not an obligation but rather a privilege where we get to honor the Lord for all that He has done and is doing in our lives.
Did Jesus say we should tithe? ›
In Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 Jesus referred to tithing as something that should not be neglected… “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness.
Is not paying tithe a sin? ›
Do Christians Have to Tithe? While tithing 10% of your income is biblical, you're not required to tithe to be a Christian. And you're not a bad Christian if you don't tithe. Thankfully, God loves us when we give and when we don't give.
Paul says when it comes to giving, we shouldn't do it out of compulsion. You shouldn't give reluctantly, but neither should you fight the opportunity to give. When you see a chance to share your resources with others, do it cheerfully. When you give with that attitude, you please God.
What is the secret of tithing? ›
Tithing Grows Trust in God
By sacrificing 10% of your income, we learn to rely on God. While 10% might be a sizable part of some people's earnings, giving tithes means you trust that God will still provide you with enough food and wealth to live.
What to say when tithing? ›
“I bring my tithe now to You, Lord Jesus. It is the firstfruits of what You have given me, and I plant it in Your kingdom as a seed of blessing, expecting the rich blessings of heaven to be multiplied to me in return.
What is the best verse for tithes and offerings? ›
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, one of the most common tithe and offering verses, we read, "And God can bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Your gift is a seed that will reap a harvest of blessings for you and others.
What can I give back to God for the blessings? ›
What can I give back to GOD for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to GOD! I'll pray in the name of GOD; I'll complete what I promised GOD I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people. When they arrive at the gates of death, GOD welcomes those who love him.
Can I give my tithe to the poor instead of church? ›
The collective tithe served the needs of the poor, therefore fulfilling God's will to see that all people benefitted from the assembly of believers. The principles of giving and support for the God's mission on earth continue to resonate in the modern-day context. This absolutely includes giving to the poor.
What are the 3 tithes? ›
Three Types of Tithes
The Old Testament, which is the first half of the Bible written before the birth of Jesus Christ that focuses on the Jewish myth, describes three different types of tithes that the Jewish people were expected to pay: Levitical or sacred tithe. Feast tithe. Poor tithe.
What did Jesus say about tithing? ›
In Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 Jesus referred to tithing as something that should not be neglected… “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness.
What are the spiritual benefits of paying tithes? ›
Tithing Grows Trust in God
By sacrificing 10% of your income, we learn to rely on God. While 10% might be a sizable part of some people's earnings, giving tithes means you trust that God will still provide you with enough food and wealth to live.
Should you tithe if you are in debt? ›
If you're in debt, tithing should still be a priority. Listen, I know it's tempting to throw that money at your debt, but the discipline and faith that tithing brings are so worth it. Even while you're paying down debt, you can still have an attitude of generosity.
