tithing

When our beautiful little Butterfly told me she wanted to buy a Christmas present for her sister, I was so touched by her thoughtfulness. So she worked and saved and we had a wonderful shopping trip together.

But before we went to the store, we counted her money and then I shared with her that each month, when daddy brings home the money he earned at his job, we make the choice to pay our tithing. I explained that it's ten percent and that we choose to do it because the Lord has asked us to and because we want to help others. I was trying to be careful with my word choice. (after all, she is only 3) and I didn't want to manipulate her, I wanted it to be her choice. But she jumped ahead of me and asked, "If I give it to the Church, the Church will help other kids?" Thrilled at her understanding I explained some of the things the Church does with our tithing money. So she agreed and we set aside her tithing money.

On Sunday, I showed her the special tithing envelopes and showed her where to write her name. She laboriously printed her name in her precious, careful print. She put the tithing receipt and money in the envelope, licked it (she declared that it tasted so gross), and sealed it. Then after church, I walked with her as she carried the envelope to the front of the chapel and waited her turn to talk to the bishop. When he turned to her, she beamed and thrust her envelope to him. "Is this your tithing?" he asked and she nodded with a huge smile on her face. He accepted the envelope, addressed her by name and took her hand in his. He sincerely thanked her for paying her tithing and she just beamed. My heart melted at her earnestness.

Later, in Sunday School, we read 3 Nephi 11:38, "And again I say unto you, ye must . . . become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God" and I couldn't help but think of her as we discussed those childlike attributes of meekness, gentleness, faithfulness and love.



Something else on my mind... Also on the subject of tithing... I recently heard tithing explained by someone and it struck me profoundly. It was actually in our Dave Ramsey class on finances. In his 12 course series, the last lesson is completely devoted to the subject of giving. In the very first lesson, he demonstrated that with an open hand, money can move in and out. We may lose some, but we can also gain. With a closed fist, no money ever gets out, but no money ever gets in. Another point he makes is that a closed fist is a universal sign of anger or selfishness. But an open palm is a sign of trust and giving ("and even a dog knows that!")

In the last lesson, he declares with urgency that we need to give. He was able to explain the purpose of tithing to me in a way I've never understood before. First he went through the typical (but not real) reasons. The first he quoted was "God needs our money" and then laughingly pointed out that God, the Supreme Being that created the heavens and earth has no need for our material wealth. Reason #2, "the church needs our money". This is kind of true. With the money we give, the church is able to do great things, like help those in need, build new building, support missionaries, etc. But the church's budget is billions of dollars. I know my relatively minuscule donation is part of that but still seems so insignificant.

The greatest reason, the "real" reason, we are commanded to pay our tithing is for our growth. It's an act of faith, an act of obedience but so much more. In explaining this concept, Dave Ramsey explained how he arrived at this epiphany. He was reading the Bible and was profoundly moved at the thought that God sent his Only Begotten Son to die for us. It was part of the plan that I have been taught and understood for many years. But it also proves that God is a giving person. And incredibly giving person. And we are created in His image, with the potential to be exalted like Him! Then, we too must be giving individuals. He has not asked us to sacrifice our child in the same way but he does ask us to sacrifice for our own growth. He teaches us tithing to help us grow and become like Him.