My Thoughts On Tithing

July 29, 2007 ·

Of all the commandments lovingly given from our Heavenly Father, the law of tithing is among my favorite. In the Mormon Church, tithing is defined as “a commandment from the Lord to pay one tenth of one’s annual increase or income for the building of His Church on the earth.” This commandment has been present since the early days of the Old Testament and continues to apply to us today. (See D&C 119)

There are three reasons I love this call of sacrifice from the Lord:

1) So often, commandments offer a principle and allow you to rely on the Holy Ghost to know how to act. Being kind to others and having moral thoughts are two examples of this. This can be rewarding but it also allows for missed judgement calls. Sometimes you must learn as you go.

With the law of the tithe, it is crystal clear what is expected. In exchange, Heavenly Father promises very specific blessings. I love the simplicity. I testify that the blessings are always given when this law is followed.

2) The law of tithing is a call to action. You are expected to do something.

The Lord commands, “Thou shalt not kill.” This is easy. Just don’t do it. But the law of tithing says, “Refraining from action is not enough. I need My people to be anxiously engaged.” I like that.

3) I think that most people are giving by nature. As we see earthquakes and floods cover the earth, we all like to help financially when we can. But with each disaster, we see responses from government and charity organizations that are sometimes equally disastrous.

Tithing in the church allows a way for me to give with complete trust that the funds will be used appropriately. The Lord directs this church and the use of it’s funds. I know that. While the money may be handled by human hands, the system and procedures are of heavenly origins.

Comments

12 Responses to “My Thoughts On Tithing”

Michael R on July 29th, 2007 1:47 pm

Brian, you don’t know me in person but I’ve been reading yoru blog for a while. (I found it thru freemacware.com when you owned that.)

Anyway, I’m not Mormon but I appreciate that things you write about. There’s just one thing I have a question about with the mormons. every other religion (including mine) sees commandments as burdonsome and limiting. But in your posts and other mormons I know seem like they appreciate commandments. Why is that? maybe you or some of your mormon readers care to respond.

Thanks for your time.
Richard K Miller on July 30th, 2007 11:45 am

Michael R: I think part of what makes a painting art is that it’s constrained within a frame. And sounds become music when they are on key and usually constrained to a certain scale of notes. I think that’s why Mormons can appreciate commandments. Commandments keep them away from behaviors that hurt themselves and others, while still leaving plenty of latitude for expression, and I’d argue more beautiful expression by avoiding the “off key notes.”

On a practical note, knowing what your boundaries are means your mind can be at rest, instead of asking yourself what you will do each time a matter of morality comes up. That means less stress and a strong feeling of integrity when you do what you committed to yourself to do.
Shaun on July 30th, 2007 1:39 pm

Michael R: I have a quote taped to my monitor at work from an book called Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz, which I think goes along with what you
are asking – both religiously as well as in business. It says “When people have NO CHOICE, life is almost unbearable… But as the number of choices keeps growing, NEGATIVE ASPECTS of having a multitude of options begin to appear.”

I think that this goes well with what Richard was saying (he actually referred me to this book through his blog). Being given choices allows us freedom, but by choosing to follow commandments we limit some of the choices that could potentially hurt us.

Taking Richard analogy further, a musician chooses to play the music on the page and it turns out beautifully. Some musicians can vamp and make some pieces even better but they still choose to stay within the scales and cord structures that were established in the piece of music.

We as Mormons are often criticized that our lives are too restricted but we have believe that in following the commandments and rules that we are given allows us to express ourselves as well as better ourselves. We see the glass as full of God’s love for us that he wants to protect us and not as empty and lacking in freedom.

For example, we believe that God commanded us not to drink alcohol or to use drugs and tobacco. By choosing to follow this commandment we are not left with what if’s and maybe’s regarding those substances. We don’t hold it against those that do those things as we believe in freedom of choice but many times I have felt blessed because I have chosen to follow God’s commandments.

In talking to others I have likened it to a funnel:
\ /
\ /
\ /
/ \
/ \
/ ^ \
By looking up and we see the commandments as restrictive but once you make the commitment and make it through the first hurdle if you will you see the freedom it brings.

I’m not saying its easy, some days it seems that I start all over again with the tunnel vision and other days I just see the opening and everything ahead.

But God does bless us for obedience, that I do know.
Brian on July 31st, 2007 6:21 am

Michael, thanks for the great comment. That’s an interesting observation and I think that Richard and Shaun offered some perfect explanations. As I mentioned in number one, I appreciate a clear commandment because then I know how to bind the Lord. I know that he’ll do his part if I do mine.

On another note, did you see the post I had a few weeks back about the video titled “The Testaments.” (post here) I think this videos portrays well the love that the Lord has for us. It’s that love that makes me eager to hear his commandments because I know he cares.

Will you allow me to send a copy of this video to you as a gift? I think you’ll enjoy it.
Michael R on July 31st, 2007 6:33 am

Richard, Shaun and Brian, thanks for responding. What you’ve written does make sense. I guess it’s a mindframe that you have to enter to see commandments in that way..

Brian, I did see that post but I figured the offer was only for your friends and people you knew. Will I need to send some money for this video? Also, I have two kids and I try to help them see videos without violence and vulgarity. I try to keep those kinds of movies out of our home. Will this be ok for them?
Brian on July 31st, 2007 6:44 am

Michael, You’re quick. You must be an RSS guy.

I’d be happy to send it to you as a gift and I think your kids will really enjoy it. I can send it in the mail, or I can have some representatives of the church drop it off. Perhaps you’ll find the latter option useful because they’d be able to answer any questions you’d have after viewing the video.

For your own privacy, perhaps you can use my contact page to send me your address?
Michael R on July 31st, 2007 6:47 am

Brian that would be wonderful. I met with a couple mormon missionaries when I was in college at SFSU. I wouldn’t mind them dropping by again. (But if those two aren’t working then I’d be ok meeting some new ones.)

I’ll send you my address now. Thanks for the offer. Who knew I’d get a free movie just by reading a blog?
Brian on July 31st, 2007 6:50 am

Michael, if by SFSU you mean San Francisco State University and you’re still in the area then you’re in luck. I know the missionaries there are top-notch.

Also, I travel to San Francisco every few months. Perhaps we can meet for lunch sometime.

I’ll watch for your address. Thanks again for the great comments.
Tara on July 31st, 2007 6:53 am

Michael – Mormon.org is a great website the LDS church offers to answer questions like you have. Enjoy the movie…it is wonderful!
Michael R on July 31st, 2007 7:57 am

Brian, I am an “RSS Guy.” It’s great.

Tara, Thanks for the tip. I remember hearing that website on a couple commercials but hadn’t had the chance to look at it. maybe i’ll look at it today at work.
Tara on July 31st, 2007 9:14 am

Michael – The church website is very helpful and in a non-threatening way provides wonderful information. Sometimes people get nervous to ask questions about the LDS church because they are afraid it will always result in missionaries at their door. This website will let you look into the church and its teachings at your own leisure and pace. However, should you ever find yourself interested in knowing more or talking with someone, the missionaries are a great resource. They bring a peaceful and comforting feeling into your home when they share the teachings of the church. Best of luck!
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