Thoughts on Tithing

Uniformitarianism is a scientific theory describing how geologists study the placement of layers of the earth in determining the physical history of the earth. The father of geology and the idea of uniformitarianism is a man by the name of James Hutton. Hutton is known to have believed that, “The present is the key to the past.” In a similar manner, I believe that the past and present are truly keys to the future. I want to use this concept to discuss an important commandment.
“And (God) gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, & should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. And after many days, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
“And then the angel spake saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.”
It is interesting to note that what Adam had been sacrificing in the past and present was in similitude of the future sacrifice of the Lord. The principle or symbol that I would like to touch upon gives insight into the future.-tithing.
What is tithing?
D&C 119- “The term tithing… had meant not just one-tenth, but all free-will offerings, or contributions to the church funds.” I really like how we are asked to give tithing will our “free-will.” The Lord is happy when we give up our one-tenth to Him with a grateful heart.
According to True to the Faith, “Tithing funds are… used… to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.” Tithing is, therefore, used to help those around the world for various purposes. With tithing thus defined, how do we offer our sacrifice of tithing?
One of my favorite techniques in scripture reading is to take a story from the scriptures and find how it applies to a concept that I have never connected it with. I found some neat insights concerning tithing by applying the way I should pay tithing using the animal sacrifices described in Leviticus.
“Bring an offering unto the Lord.”
We plan out/take out of our salary our tenth. We deliver our tithes to the bishop, who acts as a representative of the Lord.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the Lord your God.”
“If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.”
When I pay my tithing, I try to think of my worthiness. If I am trying to do my best to follow His commandments, I can have faith that I will receive the full blessings through “obedience to the law upon which it is predicated.” Those that pay tithing will be blessed for their sacrifice, but how many more blessings will one receive if she or he is worthy before the Lord?
There is a quote that also keeps me in check with my offering to the Lord. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin once said, “… Perhaps we should evaluate our offerings and decide if we are as generous with the Lord as He is with us.” This idea really has caused me to stop and reflect upon the blessings that the Lord has given me and the tithes (and fast offerings) that I give to Him. I always find myself unable to give the exact monetary value for all that He has done for me, and I never will be able to. But, I also know that the Lord requires us to do our best…even in paying tithing.
“And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.”
It is so interesting that the tithing we pay is used for various purposes. Just as the animal sacrifice was cut into pieces, our offerings go to help the Lord’s work in many ways.
In addition to these scriptural examples of how to pay tithing, I found these passages that offer unique techniques, too.
“Offer it for a thanksgiving.”
“He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offering unto the Lord shall bring his oblation unto the Lord of the sacrifice of his peace offerings. His own hands shall bring the offerings of the Lord made by fire…it shall he bring that (it) may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord.”
And, after utilizing these techniques, it becomes “an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord.”
Future
Blessings are the sure future outcomes that arrive from our obedience to pay tithing. Once again using the book of Leviticus-“If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then will I give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield her fruit.”
Emphasize rain in due season-spiritual and temporal purposes. I have found in my life that not all blessings come at once. Many great blessings come not in my time, but the Lord’s. In our “due season,” the blessings arrive as tender mercies that help us to remember not only the great source of the blessings but also of the knowledge He has of our needs and desires.
Using one of my favorite verses from the book of Malachi- “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and PROVE me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, 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.” It is interesting that the Lord talks about pouring out blessings upon us in this verse and then uses the same imagery in Leviticus to describe us receiving the rain in our due time. Pres. N. Eldon Tanner, “Tithing… is a commandment with a promise. If we obey this commandment, we are promised that we will ‘prosper in the land.’ This prosperity consists of more than material goods—it may include enjoying good health and vigor of mind. It includes family solidarity and spiritual increase.” A commandment with a promise. With these amazing promises, however, there is an even greater reason to pay tithing.
As stated by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar, and letting it be consumed.”
With this in mind, I am going to do my best to look to my past and present efforts and seek the path that leads to “liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, (and not to) captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.” I pray that I may improve my offering of tithing. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.