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I had briefly gone over following the Lord's commandments and why we need to; one of which included the law of tithing where we give back onto the Lord.
The Lord blesses us and provides for us during our life and we show thanks through our tithes.
This law and action is also a very good way of showing our faith unto the Lord. In Genesis 28:22 it reads,
“And of all that though shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
We understand that tithing is giving 10% back unto the Lord.
In olden times where money was not the primary earning, stock such as animals and food were given instead. In our modern times, it is the income that we earn from work. And for those who do not work, it is giving their time for the Lord whether through studying, sharing, teaching, or anything gospel and church related.
Tithing is something asked of God and if we do not follow this, we will be cursed because we are robbing of God and the blessings he provides. In one sense, this is already breaking one of the commandments, ‘Thou shalt not steal’. And if we give our tithing, God will pour the blessings upon us because to bless us beforehand is a 'steal'.
Malachi 3:8-10
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Where in have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
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 no open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Tithing isn’t just any commandment from God as tithing has many purposes, but most importantly, again, it shows our faith. In our current world where financial status is very important, when we are in a tough situation, by putting God first and paying our tithes, we will be blessed for showing our faith and trusting the Lord to take care of us.
Another one is the charity and function of the tithing. Giving back is a sign of charity, but in the church, we do much more. One of the mis-understandings or mis-use of tithing from other churches is that they use it to pay their pastors and priests. In our case, our tithes go towards the church to build more churches, maintain them, and help people.
We see this example in Numbers chapter 18 in the Bible.
The Levites didn’t have any inheritance of the land but the Israel’s would pay their tithes to the Levites, who were ordained to the role because of their good works. The priest of the Levites was Aaron who would receive the tithes.
Numbers 18:28
“Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’s heave offering to Aaron the priest.”
The Levites who had no inheritance of the land lived off the tithing given and because this is a blessing from God also for the Levites, they would also a tenth of this as tithing.
Numbers 18:26
“Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.”
Israel's tithe supported the Levites; church. The Levites would offer their tithes as thanks to the Lord. This idea of support gives way to our tithing system of further donations for humantarian aids, temple building and maintainance, printing of the Book of Mormon, and others. I haven’t had major issues when it comes to tithing but the closest would be before coming on my vacation to Utah. I was no longer working and trying to save up when my final pay arrived and I had some fines I still needed to pay.
I held out on the bills and sent a letter to the police hoping to reduce the fines and paid my tithes in the mean time as it was what I needed to do. The day before I left for Utah, I received a letter from the police acknowledging my letter but could not reduce the fine. However, because all three fines were within the one night, I was only required to pay one of them. I managed to pay my tithes, pay my bill, and have a little bit more saved for my vacation. I know the Lord will bless us and help us when we pay our tithing and put him first. But also knowing that our tithings go to a righteous cause and helps the church, the members, missionaries, and poor, I know that I'm not only following a commandment and showing my faith, but I am also servicing for the Lord. And I testify this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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