The value of paying tithing
Many people know the value tithing brings. In addition to a number of benefits and blessings, it also helps to increase faith and show obedience.
What is tithing?
The concept of tithing goes back to biblical days, where it states in 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." As such, it is not a new concept, nor is it limited to the LDS faith alone.
Those who pay a full tithe pay 10% of their annual increase. Tithing is used for a number of the Lord's purposes, including building and maintaining church meetinghouses and temples, educating Church members through such programs as the Perpetual Education Fund, and missionary work, to name a few.
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When you pay your tithing, you give it to a member of the Bishopric in your home ward. From there, he records the amounts and sends the funds directly to the headquarters of the church. A council comprised of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric determine how and what to use the tithing funds for.
The value of paying tithing
While some may look upon paying tithing as a burden or an unnecessary expense, they should consider what exactly they are giving up in terms of value by not paying tithes.
Paying tithing indicates a number of things to the Lord, including:
Obedience. Parting with money, especially when it is difficult to come by or when there doesn't seem to be enough, is not easy for many people. However, those who follow the commandment to pay tithing show their obedience to this principle.
Trust. Those who pay tithing have been promised a number of blessings, both temporal and spiritual, and paying tithing illustrates trust in these blessings.
Love. Paying tithing not only indicates love to the Lord by following his commandments and acknowledging his hand in all things, but to other members of the Church who tithing helps.
Those who pay tithing are promised with a number of things. Many members of the church will tell of times they were faced with the decision to pay tithing or pay a bill, or either pay tithing or not have enough money for groceries. Those who paid their tithing when they didn't think they could afford it tell of being blessed with a number of things, including finding money, having friends or ward members bring them a meal, or getting a better job offer. Such illustrations of the blessings of tithing are not difficult to come by; virtually every faithful tithe payer can think of an instance where their faith has been rewarded from paying tithing.
The value of tithing goes beyond monetary rewards as well. Those who faithfully pay their tithing experience an increase in faith as a result of their obedience and willingness. As such, their strength and resolve in the Church grows. Not to mention they get a tax write off for tithes paid.
Some people find the concept of paying tithing difficult to follow. However, the Lord through his prophets has challenged those to pay their tithing and, as a result, see firsthand the blessings and value that come from paying tithing.
