As the title states, this lesson is about Tithing and fasting.
In D&C 119:3-4 we find the Lord’s definition of tithing.
D&C 119:3-4
3 And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.
4 And after that, 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.
- What does the Lord reveal as the definition of tithing?
- One-tenth of our interest annually
Over time, people have expressed confusion as to this meaning and the First Presidency sent out a letter that further clarified what the Lord had said.
Handout #1 – “The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one-tenth of all their interest annually,’ which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this” (First Presidency letter, 19 Mar. 1970).
With the clarity the Lord has provided on what tithing is and that He requires it from us, there is still an issue of non-payment of tithing or a resentment when paying tithing. President Joseph Fielding Smith has impressed upon us the consequences of not paying an honest tithe.
Handout #2 – President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Quorum of the Twelve explained: “It is remarkable how many excuses can be made and interpretations given as to what constitutes the tenth. … It is written, however, that as we measure it shall be measured to us again. If we are stingy with the Lord, he may be stingy with us, or in other words, withhold his blessings” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 2:92).
If a prophet of God speaking of the importance of not withholding from the Lord isn’t good enough, the Lord Himself has expressed His thoughts on those who do not pay an honest tithe.
Malachi 3:8-9
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
- In what way do we rob God if we do not pay tithes and offerings?
- Everything in the world, even our lives, were created and given to us by God. He allows us to have and use everything He has created, only asking for a 10th of it in return. When we do not return to the Lord what is His, we are robbing Him.
On the other hand, when we follow the Lord’s commandment and pay an honest tithe, He will bless us. This promise is made to us in Malachi 3:10-12.
Malachi 3:10-12
10 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.
11 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 of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
- What promises does the Lord make to those who pay tithing?
- Open the windows of heaven and poor out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it
Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the Twelve gives a deeper meaning to tithing and describes some of the spiritual blessings that can be received when we follow this commandment.
Handout #3 – “The tithe-payer establishes communion with the Lord. This is the happiest reward. Obedience to the law of tithing, as to any other law, brings a deep, inward joy, a satisfaction and understanding that can be won in no other way. Man becomes in a real sense a partner, albeit a humble one, with the Lord in the tremendous, eternal program laid out for human salvation. The principles of truth become clearer of comprehension; the living of them easier of accomplishment. A new nearness is established between man and his Maker. Prayer becomes easier. Doubt retreats; faith advances; certainty and courage buoy up the soul. The spiritual sense is sharpened; the eternal voice is heard more clearly. Man becomes more like his Father in Heaven” (in Deseret News, 16 May 1936, Church Section, 5).
Spiritual blessings are not the only ones we receive when we pay on honest tithe. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve gives an example of temporal blessings we can receive from the Lord when we pay our tithing.
Handout #4 – “The tithe-payer establishes communion with the Lord. This is the happiest reward. Obedience to the law of tithing, as to any other law, brings a deep, inward joy, a satisfaction and understanding that can be won in no other way. Man becomes in a real sense a partner, albeit a humble one, with the Lord in the tremendous, eternal program laid out for human salvation. The principles of truth become clearer of comprehension; the living of them easier of accomplishment. A new nearness is established between man and his Maker. Prayer becomes easier. Doubt retreats; faith advances; certainty and courage buoy up the soul. The spiritual sense is sharpened; the eternal voice is heard more clearly. Man becomes more like his Father in Heaven” (in Deseret News, 16 May 1936, Church Section, 5).
- How have you been blessed as you live the law of tithing?
- Tithing has always been one of the easy commandments for me. I don’t know why, but I’ve never had an issue with paying it. Sometimes I skip a paycheck on accident, but when I go back through periodically to see if I’ve missed one, I pay it then. This came as a huge blessing later in life. When I first got divorced several years ago, I was not making enough money at my job to afford to pay rent. I was stressed out and wasn’t sure what I was going to do when it came time to move out of the house. My ex-husband wasn’t a terrible guy and when discussing my situation, he said he would pay my rent for a year so that I could save and hopefully get a raise or get a second job. In that year, I received two raises and was able to pay my own rent when it came time. The problem I was left with then was that I could afford to pay tithing, rent, utilities and gas with very little left over for food. Even so, I still kept paying my tithing. Over the years, I received many blessings because of it. My parents came to visit the Christmas after my divorce and brought me some of their food storage. A lady from church ‘adopted’ me and fed me every Sunday as well as sent leftovers home with me. My job did random potlucks that magically coincided with when I was running out of food and money. Friends or people at work would randomly bring food they were getting rid of and would let me take it home. Then Troy came along and we’d go grocery shopping together and he’d sneak some of my purchases in with his or just outright buy the groceries I needed. There was also a friend of a friend who would send me money periodically, usually at a moment when something had happened and I needed extra cash. Thanks to the Lord’s promise and His blessings, I always had food to eat and money when I needed it.
Now, blessings are a great thing and we all want the Lord’s blessings in our lives. This reason, though, shouldn’t be the reason we follow the commandments He has given us. The main reason we follow what He has asked of us should be because we love Him, have faith in Him and we WANT to obey Him.
- How does paying tithing show that we love the Lord?
- It shows our humility and our willingness to submit ourselves to His will.
- It shows we have faith in Him
- How does paying tithing affect our relationship with the Lord?
- Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi of the Quorum of the Seventy provides a good explanation of how paying tithing affects our relationship with the Lord.
Handout #5 – It is a matter of commitment. The earth belongs to the Lord, and this includes our own lives. He allows us to use everything on this earth. He only asks us to return one-tenth. Tithing is a token of gratitude, obedience, and thanksgiving—a token of our willingness and dedication. Paying tithing, willingly, develops an honest and pure heart. Paying tithing increases our love for the Lord. (in Ensign, May 2007).
Hand-in-hand with the commandment of paying an honest tithe, the Lord has commanded us to fast and pay generous fast offerings. Every month, usually on the first Sunday, the church as a whole fasts, in accordance with the commandment the Lord has given us. The Lord has instructed that the proper way to fast is to not eat or drink for two consecutive meals and attend the fast and testimony meeting. There are also times when we may feel the need to fast for a special cause or a ward or branch is asked to fast for a special reason.
When we fast, we need to do more than just abstain from eating or drinking. We need to keep in mind the reason for fasting and try to have a special purpose, even if it is just to ask the Lord to help you have a better week than the one before. Having a special purpose has always made fasting seem easier for me because I’m doing something more than just not eating for two meals.
- What are some of the reasons people can use for fasting?
- Draw nearer to the Lord
- Receive guidance
- Increase spiritual strength
- Humble ourselves
- Overcome weaknesses
- Resist temptation
- Strengthen our testimonies
- To know if the Book of Mormon is true
- Ask the Lord to bless others
- Strength to get through a difficult situation
- Forgiveness from sin
- In what ways has fasting with a purpose added meaning to your fasts?
- For me, it makes me feel like I’m doing more than just not eating for a few meals. It makes me feel like I’m working towards and goal and that by doing so, the Lord will help me reach that goal. Fasting with a purpose makes me feel like I am proving to the Lord that I am willing to obey His commandments and that I have faith in Him.
One way to make fasting more meaningful and a greater spiritual experience is to prepare for our fast.
- What are some of the things we can do to prepare to fast?
- Come up with a purpose for fasting beforehand
- Pray before you begin fasting to explain your purpose to the Lord and to ask for His blessing
- Spend time before your fast contemplating your purpose
- When fasting, we should start and end our fast with a prayer to the Lord. Why is it so important that we do so?
- Prayer conveys our purpose for fasting to the Lord and expresses our faith in Him. We can also use this time to thank the Lord for the opportunity He has given us for fasting and the opportunity to receive special blessings when we complete a proper fast.
When we fast, it is normal for us to feel hungry and not quite up to par with the rest of the month. Even though this is normal, the Lord has given us specific instructions on how we should behave when we are fasting.
Matthew 6:16-18
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
- According to these scriptures, how should we act when we are fasting?
- Like we do on a normal day
When we fast, we need to not complain about how hungry we are or make comments about how we can’t wait to get home and eat. When we do these things, we are playing to the attentions of the world. The Lord has asked that we fast in private and not make a public spectacle out of our fasts. By doing so, we show our humility, our submission to the will of the Lord and we open ourselves up to greater blessings.
On fast Sunday, the Lord has asked for one additional offering from us, aside from foregoing two meals and fasting with a purpose. The Lord has asked us to give a generous fast offering, which is usually considered to be what it would cost us to eat the two meals we skipped.
The fast offerings we donate to the church have a sacred purpose. These offerings are used to care for those in need either by providing a place to stay for someone who does not have a home, food for a family that is struggling, clothing for people in need and other essential necessities for those who are not in a position to provide for themselves.
- Why is giving fast offerings an important part of living the law of the fast?
- We show meekness and humility in following the commandments of the Lord
- By giving fast offerings, we serve others and show love for those in need
While I have always been fortunate enough to not have needed the church to pay for my needs, I have known several people who have been blessed by the funds donated as fast offerings. A friend in Oklahoma was disabled and did not make enough in her disability checks to afford a home and food. Our bishop did everything he could to keep food in her cupboards and a roof over her head. In Utah, a ward family was displaced by a fire and the bishop was able to use fast offerings to keep them in a hotel until they could find a new home and replace the furnishings they had lost.
- When the Lord asks us to give fast offerings, He asks that we give a generous offering. How generous should we be when we pay fast offerings?
- By giving as much as we can instead of as little as we can get away with
Fast offerings are such a blessing to those in need and it is our responsibility to follow the Lord’s command and give a generous fast offering. A generous fast offering does not need to be a large dollar amount. Even if all you can afford is a few dollars, the Lord will consider that generous, so don’t be dissuaded by thinking what you have to offer is not enough.
President Spencer W. Kimball expressed his thoughts on the fast offering that should be given by those who could afford more.
Handout #6 – President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Sometimes we have been a bit penurious [unwilling to share] and figured that we had for breakfast one egg and that cost so many cents and then we give that to the Lord. I think that when we are affluent, as many of us are, that we ought to be very, very generous … and give, instead of the amount we saved by our two meals of fasting, perhaps much, much more—ten times more where we are in a position to do it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 184).
If you are unsure of what you or your family should give as a fast offering, Elder Joseph B. Worthlin offers some counsel on what we should offer and why.
Handout #7 – How much should we pay in fast offerings? My brothers and sisters, the measure of our offering to bless the poor is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father. Will we, who have been blessed so abundantly, turn our backs on those who need our help? Paying a generous fast offering is a measure of our willingness to consecrate ourselves to relieve the suffering of others.
Brother Marion G. Romney, who was the bishop of our ward when I was called on a mission and who later served as a member of the First Presidency of the Church, admonished: “Be liberal in your giving, that you yourselves may grow. Don’t give just for the benefit of the poor, but give for your own welfare. Give enough so that you can give yourself into the kingdom of God through consecrating of your means and your time.” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2001)
- What are some of the effects when we all pay a generous fast offering?
- The hungry are fed
- The naked are clothed
- The homeless receive shelter
- Those in need of medical care are taken care of
There are so many blessings that come to those around us when we pay a generous fast offering. President Hinckley spoke of the blessings that are given when those who can pay a generous fast offering.
Handout #8 – President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Think … of what would happen if the principles of fast day and the fast offering were observed throughout the world. The hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless sheltered. Our burden of taxes would be lightened. The giver would not suffer but would be blessed by his small abstinence. A new measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1991, 73; or Ensign, May 1991, 52–53).
When we pay an honest tithe, we contribute to the building of the kingdom of God. When we give a generous fast offering, we are showing that we are disciples of Jesus Christ by taking care of those in need. The Lord has said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). Let us all remember that when we serve and help those in need by obeying the commandments of the Lord, we are serving and helping the Lord Himself.
Tithing and fast offerings are very special to me. I have been blessed in so many ways by having paid tithing throughout my life and while I have not needed to receive assistance from fast offerings, I have felt my life being blessed when I pay the small amount I can. The Lord does bless us when we follow His commandments and I testify of the truthfulness of this. I have been blessed and I am very thankful to the Lord for His blessings. Amen.
Here is a post I wrote a few years ago about how tithing had blessed my life. It’s amazing to go back and see how blessed I have been over the years.
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