Tithing Talk at Littleton, MA

Today I gave a talk at Littleton, MA, and I thought it was quite a learning experience.  I'd like to share some of it with you, but instead of the 7 page version, I'll outline it.


Part I: A Story

A. Introduction to our Family, preparing for a yard sale
B. The kids wanted to contribute, so ran a snack shack
C. The deal was 50% to the Council on the Aging, and 50% to be split and spent among themselves.
D. Cookies, lemonade, and training were provided by parents.
E. They did very well, and felt adequately rewarded with enough to buy a nice toy or trinket.

Question: How does this story compare with our relationship with our Father in Heaven?

Part II: Blessings and Financing the Church
A. God put work into preparing this Earth for us, it's heavy laden with natural resources, etc. DC 104:17 "For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare"
B. Lord wants to provide for his saints. DC 104:14-16 "I the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.  And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine."
C.  DC 104:13 "For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures"
D.  Lemonade stand request was 50% to the Council on the Aging.  In the United Order, productivity was centrally re-distributed according to the united consent of the participants (April 1834, 104:21)
E. 1838: "...Those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.” (D&C 119:1–4.)
F.  Marion G. Romney (Blessings of an Honest Tithe, 1982) as “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."
G. Elder Bednar (Oct 2013): These sacred funds are used in a rapidly growing church to spiritually bless individuals and families by constructing and maintaining temples and houses of worship, supporting missionary work, translating and publishing scriptures, fostering family history research, funding schools and religious education, and accomplishing many other Church purposes as directed by the Lord’s ordained servants.
H. (Mal. 3:10–12.)  The Lord has said that he will “open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 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. …And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”
 Question: I’m not a farmer, nor do I have ground with fruits.  What are the blessings for me!?

Part III: The Law
A. Tithing isn't an investment. It’s compliance with divine law, upon which great blessings are predicated.
B. The Lord can still prosper his people.  A full and honest tithe is one of those practices that promotes provident living and lends itself to other blessings.

C. Elder Bednar reminded us that the testimony of tithing is not often a lightening bolt experience, but more likely to be a subtle accumulation of blessings.  You cannot expect the blessings associated with living the law of tithing while refusing to pay tithing.

D. Tithing is an evidence of belief, not a ticket for entry into heaven or a downpayment to prosperity.  First must come Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a sincere desire to love him and keep God’s commandments.  John Taylor: If a man has not faith enough to attend to these little things, he has not faith enough to save himself and his friends.” (HC 7:292–3.)

E. James E. Talmage: "He requires it of the people, not because He is lacking in gold or silver, but because they [we] need to pay it… the prime or great purpose behind the establishment of the law of the tithe is the development of the soul of the tithe-payer, rather than the providing of revenue."  (James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, 12th ed., Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1924, pp. 526, 528–9.) 

Question:  Why do they call it the window’s of heaven? 

Part IV: Windows of Heaven

A. Example of walking Graham to sleep at night, and having sights, sounds, smells coming through windows.

B. Participation in heaven mostly requires entrance by the gates. We know that (1 Cor 2:9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  (from Isa 64:4)

C. But the windows.  The windows allow access for two things: 

1) us to see IN to God’s kingdom, to learn of His ways, to perceive the blessings he has in store for us, to witness the power that he has over all the earth, and to acknowledge the ways his hand is in our lives.  

2) for some of God’s bounty to “leak out” and for us to partake of.

D. Consider Elder Ulisses Soares, (Be Meek and Lowly of Heart, Oct 2013) 

E. Elder Bednar said: “Think of the imagery of windows of heaven.  Windows are structures through which natural light enters a building.  In like manner, the windows of heaven pour out illumination and spiritual blessings  (Several examples from his talk! "The Windows of Heaven")

F. Personal example: the house hunt.

G. I promise that as you and I observe and keep the law of tithing, indeed the windows of heaven will be opened and spiritual and temporal blessings will be poured out such that there shall not be room enough to receive them (see Malachi 3:10). We also will remember the Lord’s declaration:“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).  I testify that as we are spiritually attentive and observant, we will be blessed with eyes that see more clearly, ears that hear more consistently, and hearts that understand more fully the significance and subtlety of His ways, His thoughts, and His blessings in our lives.

Part V: The Second Coming

A. Several places in the scriptures connect tithing and the second coming.  The prophet Malachi has indicated that at Christ’s Second Coming, those who do wickedly shall be stubble, but “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.” (Mal. 4:1–2.)

B. When we are converted unto the Lord, we take his name upon us.  We figuratively become Christ’s children and in many ways, recognize him as grantor and “trustee” of our future estate.  We look forward to our inheritance and are grateful for the allowance that we are given as a token of the great abundance that awaits us.    In the meantime, of our allowance, we are asked to demonstrate loyalty, show devotion, and practice self-restraint, to contribute back into the system as part of our baptismal covenant.

C. At the second coming, many will burn.  Will it be strictly because of tithing?  Perhaps not.  More likely, tithing is chosen as the catch-all because it demonstrates humility that all the riches of the world are God’s own, obedience to a commandment, diligence to our covenants, generosity with our possessions, and faith in God’s promises.  “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

D. Bednar "The honest payment of tithing is much more than a duty; it is an important step in the process of personal sanctification. To those of you who pay your tithing, I commend you.  To those of you who presently are not obeying the law of tithing, I invite you to consider your ways and repent. I testify that by your obedience to this law of the Lord, the windows of heaven will be opened to you. Please do not procrastinate the day of your repentance."

 Part VI: Tithing Settlement

A. Elder Hales (Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings, October 2002)  Your bishop will be gentle and kind. He will understand the challenges you face. If you cannot pay back what you missed paying in the past, go forward. Begin today. Share with your bishop your commitment to pay a full tithe in the future, and work out a plan to return to the temple as soon as possible.

B. Fathers and mothers, as you prepare for tithing settlement I encourage you to gather your little ones around you and help them count their pennies. Help your young men and young women consult their records and take inventory of their annual increase. What a marvelous opportunity this is to plant the seed of faith in the hearts of your children. You will start them on a path that leads to the temple.

C. During tithing settlement, all families and members should meet with their bishop – even if they're not full-tithe payers (in fact, even if they're non-tithe payers). (1) The bishop must state a tithing declaration for each member, either (preferably) from the member themselves, or (if that person hasn't come) his own assessment.  (2) This is a wonderful opportunity for every member of the ward to briefly visit with their

Bishop about the past year and the upcoming year.