I paid my tithing last night. There is generally a day each month towards the end of the month when I sit down and reconcile the family finances. This happened to be last night. As I did this last night, the thought came into my head, as it does each month, pay your tithing first. That way, I know I have paid God. So I did.
I can’t say that anything changed. Life didn’t all of a sudden get easier. I didn’t find extra money in my bank account. But I felt good. My heart and mind were at peace.
Have I benefited from paying tithing? I would attribute all my success in life to paying tithing. As well as my ability to provide for my family. I feel as though God has looked over me and supported me.
Can I define those instances? I would say that I can define a few of them, but I will keep them personal at this time. Overall, I feel as though living the gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes paying my tithing has given me peace and happiness. Each commandment I keep gives me the confidence to stand before God. In my heart and mind, I know I have done as he has asked and I can confidently approach him.
Has the thought ever crossed my mind, what could I do with that extra 10% each month? Sure. I don’t think I would be human if it did not. If it ever does, I give myself a gentle reminder that it is the Lord’s. My desire to love and serve God is greater than my desire for money. I guess I could say, I fear God more than I fear having or not having money.
MALACHI 3:8
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Tithing has been a requirement from God since the beginning. We even learn that Abraham paid tithes unto the King Melchezedic who was the King of Salem.
HEBREWS 7:2
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/heb/7?lang=eng&id=2#p2
I can’t say that paying tithing is always a 100% easy thing to do. There are likely to be seasons in life where it is easier to do than others. But, like keeping the Sabbath Day holy, it is a sign of the believers. It is a physical demonstration of the faith and love of God. It is a demonstration of humility.
It reminds me of the widow’s mite. It isn’t a question of whether God needs the money or not. He doesn’t. If he wanted something he could command all the elements and his needs would be met. It is a demonstration of the faith of his people. This faithful widow gave of what she had in complete humility unto the Lord she must have given all she had. I am confident that the Lord looked over her and blessed her for doing so.
LUKE 21:1-4
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
I think it is our human nature to be short-sided, to worry about our physical ability to meet our own needs, and in doing so, we forget there is a God in heaven. He is the source of all we have. He knows our needs. He knows the needs of that widow. He knows the needs of every creature on this earth. And us being his children, surely he knows our needs and desires to fulfill them. We are not forgotten, nor forsaken.
God adorns the lilies and feeds the bird. You as a child of God. You have immeasurable value in God’s eye. His hand is stretched forth willing to bless you. You just need to accept his blessing.
LUKE 12:27-28
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Paying tithing is obviously a personal thing. I’m not saying I paid it to boast, I just realize that every person who reads this may not be a full-tithe payer. They may not know why it is important. They may not know why God has commanded us. And they may have never felt the need to do so. I speak of it so that they may know there are blessings God desires to give them. That they may know it is a demonstration of faith. And that there is happiness that comes from paying tithing.
There is more that could be discussed on the topic, but I will leave it here.