Tithing is a commandment known since old testament times (see Genesis 14: 17-20 where Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek). We willingly give 10 percent of our income to the Church. It can sometimes be a struggle to pay our tithing when money is tight, but paying tithing first shows our faith in God and His work. The Lord has promised great blessings for those who obey this commandment. John Widtsoe said, “Obedience to the law of tithing, as to any other law, brings a deep, inward joy, a satisfaction and understanding that can be won in no other way.”
What does the Church do with our tithes? President Dallin H. Oaks explained: “[Tithing] funds are spent to build and maintain temples and houses of worship, to conduct our worldwide missionary work, to translate and publish scriptures, to provide resources to redeem the dead, to fund religious education, and to support other Church purposes selected by the designated servants of the Lord.”
Paul Chiniquy of the Laguna Hills ward received a testimony of tithing after a challenge he gave his wife when they were newly married. “In 1965 as a new convert to the Gospel, I didn’t have a testimony of the law of tithing. My wife, Cat, who grew up in the church had a strong testimony. It was a constant battle between us. She would place tithing envelops in my jacket, sock drawer, next to my toothbrush, in my glove compartment, etc. etc. etc. I was in a straight commission job and wasn’t doing well. In fact, the only possible edible food in the house for Cat and our 3 year old daughter was an old can of sauerkraut.
After we paid the necessary bills, we had $25.00 left. Cat asked if we would have another check that week? I said no. That did it for her. She complained that if we would have only paid our tithing we wouldn’t be in this mess. So wanting to blame anybody else but me for my failings, I challenged her. I said pay the $25.00 tithing. I was going to a sales meeting 40 miles away and had enough gas to get there but not make it back home unless, I used some of the $25.00. When she complained again, I challenged her: “Pay the tithing of $25.00—you and our little daughter go without food & so will I. If the Lord can get us out of this one, I will pay tithing the rest of my life, if not, don’t ever mention that word in this house again.” And I added, you can’t tell the Bishop or anyone else of our plight. I felt I was pretty safe. I had won. Then she said, “ Oh great, you create this problem, now you expect the Lord to get us out of it.” I retorted: “Either you believe or you don’t believe.” She startled me by agreeing to my challenge. Then I tried to talk her out of it. But she wouldn’t budge.
I went to the meeting, and was shocked when my name was called. I received a bonus check in the amount of $25.00 for past sales efforts. I sat down and right there wrote out a check for $2.50. And I’ve been faithful ever since. Not only that, but the Relief Society had a special luncheon that day, and the president showed up at our door with a large amount of leftovers. Also, that night before I got home, our daughter developed a high fever. She told Cat the Bishop was coming to make her well. Cat said, no the Bishop wasn’t coming. Soon there was a knock at our door. There was our Bishop and his wife who were 20 minutes out of town when he felt they should turn around and go back to our house. He asked if everything was ok. I would later come to realize, the Lord loves the faith of a little child."
That was a turning point in my life. Four months later we were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple when Cat was 6 months pregnant with our second child, a boy.”
Many people have stories about times when they had little and still chose to pay tithing. Kianna Collier of the Marina Hills ward shared this story. “I have always believed in paying tithing and have felt the blessings of always having enough. I had lived on my own for a very long time and learned to pay my tithing and trust that God would take care of me. However, I had never been in a situation where I had no money and had to exercise total faith that things would work out, until about 6 years ago.
I decided to movie to Southern California while dating my now husband to see if things would work out. I had a small savings account and moved here with no job and no place to live. I was blessed to find a job quickly but my savings account was about wiped out. I received my first paycheck and had to start paying rent and a few bills. I was left in a situation where I had enough money to pay my tithing and none left for food until I got paid again. I chose to pay and trust that things would work out.
The following day I went to chipotle to get dinner with a gift card my sister had given me for Christmas. After waiting in line a little bit longer than normal because the chicken was not ready, they offered to give me my meal for free. This had never happened to me before and has never since. Then my boyfriend (now husband) happened to buy me some groceries without knowing my situation, which was also not a common occurrence. Later someone else gave me food as well. I was able to have plenty of food to make it until my next paycheck. This is a simple example of the blessings of tithing. It really taught me that if I put God first He will always take care of me.”
Marion G. Romney wrote, “Tithing is a debt which everyone owes to the Lord for his use of the things that the Lord has made and given to him to use. It is a debt just as literally as the grocery bill, or an (electricity) bill, or any other duly incurred obligation.” We are blessed when we are faithful.
Members of the Laguna Niguel Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share their feelings about Tithing:
Click below for more information on tithing:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-of-jesus-christ-finances
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/tithing?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1982/01/the-blessings-of-an-honest-tithe?lang=eng