“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 the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)

Aside from the obvious ones, there are a lot of subtle blessings that obeying the Law of Tithing can open up for us. Elder David A. Bednar has spoken about how they have been blessed because of obedience to this Law. Among other things, the Law of Tithing can be a blessing to us by opening our minds to how we can be better with our finances.

What to do with the 90%

After separating the 10% from our increase, we are left with the rest of the 90%. When we obey the Law of Tithing, we see our increase as portions instead of as a whole. The human mind works better if it can see things in details. Breaking down large things into smaller things can help us see what to do with each part rather than thinking only in terms of large purchases. We realize when 10% has already been given to the Lord, that we are accountable for what we do with what is left. This can help us be more responsible with where our money goes by creating and following a budget. This mentality increases our desire to be better stewards over the blessings the Lord has given. And this does not apply only to those blessings in the form of money but also to our use of our time, health and strength, to name a few.

How to Increase our Increase

As promised by the Lord, when we obey the Law of Tithes He will open the windows of heaven. These windows come in a lot of forms. Employment, business opportunities, investment strategies – these are some of the windows that the Lord opens. Because tithing gives us a better perspective when it comes to money, we now have a higher objective in mind. Our money-making efforts are not only limited to our needs and wants, but they give us a desire to align these efforts with the building of the Lord’s Kingdom here on Earth. This desire to contribute more to the Lord’s work will encourage us to aim for a higher income so we can pay a larger amount in tithing. A higher objective also gives us the power to bridle our passions and to prioritize our needs over our wants. What a blessing it is to think this way! Indeed, the Lord multiplies what we can do, thus increasing what we can earn.

Be a More Confident Earner

The Lord also promises that He “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…” This gives us a sense of security in all our efforts to earn an income. This confidence in the workplace can help us become more efficient in our craft. Isn’t it such a blessing to be able to focus on the tasks at hand because the Lord has promised that He will take care of everything else while we are working? Paying tithes reinforces our sense of obligation and builds responsibility and self-reliance. These qualities are prime requirements in any employment or business.

A Word of Caution

If we pay tithes because we expect to get rich, we are paying tithes for the wrong reason. Although it is true that the Lord will open the windows of heaven, He will do that in His own due time when we need it the most. These blessings are not to fuel our greed but to increase our understanding of the greater purpose of money. The main purpose of tithing is to care for His children and provide means for the Church to further the Lord’s work here on Earth. The blessings that come with that are only secondary to the privilege it affords us to be a contributor to the fulfillment of the Lord’s work and His glory.

It is such a blessing to understand that finance is but a tool. The Law of Tithing helps us avoid the many traps the adversary sets up to make us slaves to the riches of the world. Looking at the big picture, tithing helps us rise up wiser and better in the gaining and management of our finances. What a blessing indeed!

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I first learned the value of tithing when I was still in Primary. Our Primary teacher shared a story of this young boy in our ward who obediently paid his tithing each Sunday. This young boy was probably 9 or 10 years old. He was putting 25-50 cents in the tithing envelope when one member noticed him and asked, “You aren’t working yet, right? Why are you paying your tithes?” He replied, “My parents couldn’t give their tithes for now because we have financial problems. So, I am giving 10% of my allowance”.

When I heard this short story, I was amazed by this young boy’s obedience in following God’s commandments. He might not have understood the reason why he was doing it, but he showed such strong faith to separate 10% of his allowance to pay his tithes each week. Hence, I decided to pay my tithing as well. When I was 10 years old, in 5th grade, I started to take out 10% of my allowance, and I continued to pay my tithing through high school and college. By so doing, I have witnessed miracles in my life that have yielded a strong testimony of the law of tithing. I have learned these three important lessons that helped me to grow spiritually:

1. “The Lord does not need your tithing, as far as He is concerned, but you need it for your growth, spiritually and temporally, that the windows of heaven may be opened and the Spirit of the living God given to you.” (Heber J. Grant)

When I was in college, I overheard a conversation of my schoolmates talking about Mormons that are compelled to give 10% of their income. A woman said, “My dad refused to join the Mormon Church because they are making money from the members, getting 10% of their income.” They didn’t understand the whole concept of tithing. They just thought that the members were being taken advantage of. If we think about it, Heavenly Father essentially has everything. He doesn’t need our money. He made this commandment for us to learn to control our temporal desires and wants. He wants us to regularly do it for us to grow spiritually. For over 13 years of paying my tithing, I have learned that money is not the only thing we need in this life to be happy. Paying tithing is such a big trial when we face financial difficulties; but when we overcome it successfully, we surely get the reward. We experience increased faith and trust in God’s plan.

2. “Tithing develops and tests our faith. By sacrificing to the Lord what we may think we need or want for ourselves, we learn to rely on Him. Our faith in Him makes it possible to keep temple covenants and receive eternal temple blessings.”(Robert D. Hales)

Now that I’m working as a nurse and a temple worker, I sometimes face situations where I have to choose between these two obligations. I decided to serve in the temple every Tuesday while I am waiting to go on my mission in October. When my manager offered me more work, I refused because it would have been impossible for me to serve in the temple. I have chosen days to work where I can still go to the temple even though it means I have fewer working days available. From the moment I started to serve in the temple, I have been tested again and again if I am willing to sacrifice one day each week to go there. I really need the money to serve my mission, but because of my faith in the Lord, He made it possible for me to still go to the temple. I have relied on His plan for me and I know I can still fulfill all my roles that I have. Through regularly paying my tithing, I have learned to trust in the Lord when things are uncertain. I have received so many blessings from regularly going to the temple. I have gained an understanding of the covenants and promised blessings that one can receive through going to the House of the Lord. I am being sanctified and reminded of who I really am. In a nut shell, paying tithing is a preparation for us to receive more blessings.

3. “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. “ (Malachi 3:10)

Are there actually blessings that come from paying our tithes? I have a testimony that God’s promises are real. When I face trials in my life, whether it be financially or emotionally, I sometimes question if His promises are real. I have said to myself, “I’m paying my tithing, why am I not getting more money? Why am I experiencing this?” But then I learned to trust and have faith in God’s commandments; I have known for myself that the blessings of tithing are real. Heavenly Father always keeps His promises. We just have to wait sometimes and we must be cognizant of the little blessings that we experience each day.

Whether our offerings are small or large, I have a strong testimony that tithing is meant for us; to help us to be what Heavenly Father wants us to be. The law of tithing is a commandment given to us to fulfill with all our hearts. I am thankful for this young boy’s example to me because through that simple act, he inspired me to be obedient to the law of tithing. If this young boy can do it, why can’t we all do it? Age doesn’t matter. Amount doesn’t matter. What truly matters is that we are giving it wholeheartedly. Pay your tithes and the Lord will give you more than you can ever imagine.

This article was written by Leonore Belmonte.

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In the teachings of President Joseph F. Smith he said, “Let us be free. I contend and I think I have right to do so that I am a free man, in accordance with my observance of the commandments of God. If I do wrong, I am in bondage to that sin, If I transgress the laws of God, I am responsible before the Lord. But I contend that as to liberty, as to freedom of speech, freedom of will, freedom of action-as to everything that goes to make a free man in the midst of men, I do not believe there is another man on earth any freer that I am”.

No man is like God unless he is free. God is free, and possesses all righteousness, all power, and all wisdom. He also possesses His agency. His agency is exercised in doing that which is good, and not that which is evil, so no man can be like unto Him until he can subject himself unto that which is righteous, pure, and good, and become the best version of himself.

I had a good friend who grew up in a very poor family. She needed to work the whole day and afterwards still had a part time job in the evening. I admired her diligence and love for her family. There was one time I asked her, “What makes you strong every single day and how do you manage to obey the Lord’s commandments especially paying tithing when you know that your money is not enough?” I honestly came to love her even more when she replied, “Our life here on earth is too short and nothing is permanent. The Lord has blessed me so much already which I know I couldn’t ever pay. The only thing that makes me strong every day is to completely trust Him by keeping His commandments. The greatest reward that I ever had in my life is peace and freedom. I always feel the comfort and assurance that the Lord will never forsake me. It makes me free from sin, troubles and worries.”

Sometimes we are too afraid to obey because we don’t understand everything. I remember the story of the converted Lamanites. After they received the truthfulness of the gospel they immediately followed the Lord without any conditions or doubts in their hearts and because of their faithfulness and obedience they were freed from bondage and prospered in the land. I believe the Lord will always deliver us from our trials, and challenges as we hold on and trust Him. May we always exercise our obedience to the Lord no matter how difficult our circumstances in life may be.

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