Tithing
The meaning of tithing, or tithe, is “a tenth part.” The practice of tithing, which is paid to the Lord and His Church, has been commanded for millennia. Abraham is recorded paying tithing to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20. Indeed, in the days of the Bible, paying tithing to the Lord’s church was a law of the land, as well as a commandment.
Mormons believe that the payment of tithing is still commanded today. All we own is a gift from the Lord and a tenth is a small price to return to Him. Since tithing already belongs to the Lord, to withhold it is to rob the Lord of what belongs to Him and what he has requested returned to Him.
The Old Testament makes this very clear. In Leviticus 27:30, it records, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.
And Mormons profess this—they count tithing as a duty and an opportunity to prove to the Lord their faithfulness. Envelopes and slips of paper (tithing forms) can be found inside Church meetinghouses. The amount of tithing that the member will be paying is filled out on the tithing slip. Then, both the slip and the tithing money are placed in an envelope, which is given to either the bishop or one of his two counselors. After this, the money is counted, then sent to the headquarters of the Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tithing is used by Church leaders in various ways to aid the growth of the Church and to serve. Meetinghouses, Mormon temples, and other Church buildings are built through tithing money. Family history and temple work, as well as Mormon missionary work, is funded by tithing. Although individual tithing amounts may not be much, combined with all the tithing of the Church, they help in countless ways.
To members, tithing is a blessing and a privilege, a way to show their gratitude to the Lord. Tithing aids the growth of the Church, and aids its members.
In Mormon beliefs, the payment of tithing brings members peace and happiness, especially when given in that spirit of gratitude and willingness, humility and obedience and good cheer.
In Malachi 3:10, it states: “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.”
What do Mormons believe about that phrase “open you the windows of heaven?” It means that the Lord will pour out great blessings among the faithful who pay His tithing, more than they can imagine. No blessing will be withheld, temporal or spiritual.
Former President and Prophet of the Church Heber J. Grant said that when the Lord’s people pay tithing, He blesses them with a greater knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, a stronger testimony, and an increased ability to obey the commandments (Conference Report, April 1925, p 10).
Mormons also believe that those who pay honest tithes will be prospered of the Lord. They will have those things they require in their material needs and be protected. The Lord does not bless everyone in the same fashion, but rather in what ways will be best for each person. And there always comes the peace and assurance of obedience.