The Law of Tithing

[Palerider]

As all of us know in this day and age regardless of where we live, the times are tough. I was wondering how many testimonies of the Law of Tithing do we have out there?? I would or perhaps all of us here on this board would enjoy reading about them.

The Law of Tithing is like the Word of Wisdom in that, you can only gain a testimony about them by living them....Please share yours with us ....:)

[skalenfehl]

I can testify that obeying the law of tithing is what is kept heaven's windows open to me. Yes, times are tough, but times can be tough while still paying tithing. There are many, many contractors and workers in my area going under, being foreclosed on, and being out of work. I have been steady in my course, relying on the Lord for guidance and where to find work.

In the past I have come very close to losing everything. I've (company trailer) been robbed and cleaned out twice, having to start over. Interesting thing, over the years I have continually prayed earnestly whether or not to continue in my line of work or seek out other means of employment and each time I get a distinct feeling to stay right where I'm at. It takes a lot of fortitude to do what I do where times are either feast or famine and most of the time it's famine.

Today, though, while I drive four counties away just to find work and stay busy I have discovered that my reputation across the Wasatch Front (No. Utah) as a contractor/carpenter is growing. There are still builders out there in business and I've been able to submit bids and earn work, request for bids and callbacks. I've been able to keep my prices competitive because I provide high quality work and these days among contractors that's a commodity so sticking to my guns on my bids has afforded me the ability to provide time consuming quality.

Staying in business for myself, as the Lord has counseled, allows me to earn my money faster because I am not limited to the typical 8 hour days that most employers restrict because I get paid when the job is done so I can work 12 hours a day, which I do, so that I can keep a steady flow of income.

My testimony is that paying tithing and keeping very close to the Lord has enabled me to continue to prosper (though at times just barely getting by) and avoid many pitfalls in life. I will never not pay tithing or fast offerings.

I also have a testimony of fast offerings. If I pay a generous fast offering, which, if I understand correctly, isn't a commandment, I have found that the Lord has blessed me even further for this voluntary act. I find that the more it "hurts" my wallet to give to this fund, the greater the Lord blesses me and watches over my family.

If Father in Heaven can provide for the common sparrow and the lillies of the field, how would He let any of us starve, who pay our tithing? If we put God first, He will also put us first. Of this I have a very strong testimony. It might be difficult to get our lives to this point, but once we do, there will never be a hunger or need.

3 Ne. 13: 26-33

26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;

29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Tithing is the first thing in my accounts book, as soon as the money comes in. There have been times when we've struggled but we've always got by. One time my first husband and I were on a very tight budget. Our car was in need of repair and it was our means of transport to church not only for us but for others without transport. We were just £50 short of paying for a replacement part which we knew we were going to need to keep the car on the road. We could have kept £50 back from our tithing and paid for the repair but we chose to pay our full tithing instead.

When we got to church that Sunday the Bishop called us into his office and handed us an envelope. He said that during his morning prayers the Lord had told him we needed that and he didn't query it, just obeyed. He said he didn't need to know why we needed it because the Lord knew why we needed it. Inside the envelope was a cheque for £50.

[Maya]

My titings go authomaticly from my salary right away. This ever since the only money I had before one Christmas was the titings, after all bills. Two kids no money... I payed and next sunday the bishop winked me to his office.... (It was not me!).... then he gave me about the same sum as I had paid titings with and said : a family moved and they were thinking that I could use that money... I had NO idea something like this could happen! You see God does take care of His own!:)

[Palerider]

My wife and I have always had a testimony of tithing and it continues to grow. The last few months have been really interesting. The first of this year we decided we were going to make sure tithing is the very first thing we pay from our checks. We go to the Bank and withdraw cash and put it right into an envelope. This might sound crazy to someone else and thats fine. We just decided to do it this way and it works great.

With my calling I have ...I do travel ofetn in our stake. Our stake is spread out and alot of the drives are an hour away. The money that is used for fuel is not missed at all.

[Palerider]

Today during testimony meeting a member stood up and bore testimony on the law of tithing. It was awesome...

[Starfish]

Paying tithing is automatic to me. There is no temptation to stop paying it. However, I find the test of faith and the blessings in paying the other offerings. Fast offering, humanitarian aid, the perpetual education fund, etc.

As I sacrifice and donate to these good causes, I receive blessings. We have always come through the many economic lows successfully, and when I need extra blessings, I increase my fast offering. We are ALWAYS blessed.

[VisionOfLehi]

I've missed a few months of tithing right now. I WILL pay it, but I don't have the means at this time. I've been told that there's no time requirement on Tithing (except maybe yearly as the least often) but that the more often you Tithe the more often you can receive it's blessings.

Anyway... At one point, I had been paying my tithing fully and as often as I got a paycheck, my mom and stepdad were having some financial problems. They didn't have enough that month for some bills, and stuff was getting straightened out, but it looked bad.

Then, for some reason, my mom got like $100 extra from... something. I don't even remember what, but it was enough to cover what was needed.

Now, my parents aren't members, and don't pay tithing, but I knew it was a tithing blessing.

My cup overflowed.

[lilered]

I have had a strong testimony of Tithing since by conversion. We started paying Tithing many many years ago. We give willingly and always paying the Lord first, we have always had a job, always have been able to pay our bills, and always had something to eat, drink, and a nice warm place to lie our head.

We have never given into the temptation of missing our tithing payment. We have friends and relatives that have on occassion and we have watched them struggle month after month. We beleive that paying tithing is really a faith offering, in that we pay it and have faith that the Lord will bless us. We have 3 healthy good children who have grown up to be good citizens and good parents. We both believe that we have been amply blessed as the result of paying an honest tithe.

In fact, we have been in situations whereby we shared what we had with relatives, friends, and children at various times and yet we have never had to go without as a result. We could have been blessed more by the Lord (unless we were twins.)

[miztrniceguy]

Jan 1 i decided to pay my own tithing myself, rather than have my wife send one check. i decided i should be responsible for my own tithing. in feb i got a promotion and 6% raise. in march i got a 4% raise with my annual review. 6+4=10%...hmmmm...coincidence? i think not.

[japacific]

When I don't pay tithing I have ten percent more money.

[pam]

When I don't pay tithing I have ten percent more money.

And 10% less blessings.

[Alaskagain]

When I don't pay tithing I have ten percent more money. Then I get an unexpected bill. And that 10% (or more) is gone. I'd rather give it the Lord.

[WillowTheWhisp]

If I don't pay tithing i can never make the money last out, but when I do pay tithing it always works out. I pay it because the Lord asks me to, but not paying it I would just be depriving myself.

[japacific]

What blessings do you get from tithing?

[Palerider]

Jan 1 i decided to pay my own tithing myself, rather than have my wife send one check. i decided i should be responsible for my own tithing. in feb i got a promotion and 6% raise. in march i got a 4% raise with my annual review. 6+4=10%...hmmmm...coincidence? i think not.

thats awesome....thanks for sharing:)

[Palerider]

What blessings do you get from tithing?

you being a returned missionary don't know the answer to that question????

[japacific]

I don't know the answer.

[Palerider]

I don't know the answer.

did you ever teach the law of tithing to anyone????

[skalenfehl]

What blessings do you get from tithing?

The testimonies in this thread have exemplified what blessings each of us have received as promised in the Bible:

Mal. 3: 8-11

8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 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.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

[Palerider]

you can read about it in the Bible Dictionary and in the Doctrine and Covenants sectins 64 and section 85:3 and section 97:12 and section 119:4.

In the Bible Dictionary read about it under the word Tithe.

[japacific]

It doesn't sound like there is any positive change to their lives at all. I can't work out what blessings they are receiving.

[lilered]

It doesn't sound like there is any positive change to their lives at all. I can't work out what blessings they are receiving.

It isn't about changes, it is about blessings. If indeed you are a return missionary, then I personally find it hard to believe you would ask that question, and/or make the above response. But then I am just a babe in learning, so I still have aways to go.

Bottom Line, those that have responded, have indicted:

Don't miss the money, have been blessed in their lives, received more back than they paid out, and/or were happier as a result of paying tithing.

[Palerider]

It doesn't sound like there is any positive change to their lives at all. I can't work out what blessings they are receiving.

if you live the law of tithing....then you will see for youself what the blessings are....this is the only way to find out..

[cintiejo]

I have seen many blessings from paying tithing. Two years ago my husband lost his job. He had to go to California to work and I stayed in Idaho with my job. Things were really tight. I remember one time I got paid and didn't have enough to pay my tithing. I robbed my change jar and everywhere I knew there was some money. I paid my tithing with that. The next thing I know I received a check in the mail for the exact amount that I paid in tithing. The Lord blessed my family during that time. We always had enough money for the bills and to buy food and gas. Never any more and never any less. We didn't have the extras but we survived. My husband finally found a job here in Idaho and we have been fine since. I continue to pay my tithing every month.

Besides I need the fire insurance.