“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein 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 not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. ” (3 Nephi 24: 8-10; see also Malachi 3: 8-10)
After the Savior had quoted those words, 'he did expound all things” unto he multitude and said: 'These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations.” (3 Nephi 26: 1-2)
In the next two months each member of the church will have the opportunity to sit down with their bishop or branch president to have an annual tithing settlement. It is an opportunity for each member to declare before an authorized servant of God their status regarding the payment of tithes.
The best way for fathers and mothers to teach the principle of tithing as a family is by living it through example. One of the priorities in our Area Plan is to live the gospel, and this is a way of showing how we, as individuals or families, are living the gospel.
Some might say, 'I don't have enough money to pay tithing.' But those with faith will say, 'I can't afford not to pay tithing.' By paying a full tithe, we demonstrate that we place our trust in the promises of the Lord.
Tithing settlement should be a positive experience for all families, giving each member the opportunity to speak to their bishop or branch president and give an accounting of their status. It is also a wonderful opportunity for the bishop or branch president to teach and testify of this principle. The Lord hopes that upon leaving the interview the member will return home with a greater determination to be faithful in the payment of tithes and offerings. The Lord is not so concerned about the amount of money paid, but rather on the faith demonstrated in keeping this commandment.
Payment of tithing demonstrates to the Lord what is most important to us.
President Lorenzo Snow taught that 'the law of tithing is one of the most important laws ever revealed to man.”
The faithful fulfillment of this law opens the windows of the heavens from which temporal and spiritual blessings are poured out. As a recipient of those blessings throughout my life, I testify of the goodness of our God and His abundant blessings to His children.
I pray that we can see these promises fulfilled in our lives by declaring before the bishop our faithfulness in the fulfillment of this commandment.