Some of you have money problems. I know that. There is never enough money in your homes. I know that. You are struggling to get along. What is the cure? The only thing I know of is payment of tithing. … It was God who made the promise that He would open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings upon those who walked honestly with Him in the payment of their tithes and offerings, and He has the capacity to keep His promise. (“Inspirational Thoughts,” Ensign, Aug. 1997, 6.)
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; see also D&C 119:4).
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith … 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” (Malachi 3:10).
“Verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming” (D&C 64:23).
Parables Relating to Money
Parables in Matthew Parables in Luke
(9 of 10) (8 of 12)
The hidden treasure The two debtors
The pearl of great price The good Samaritan
The drawn fishing net The importuned friend
The unmerciful servant The rich fool
The laborers in the vineyard The lost piece of silver
The two sons The prodigal son
The ten virgins The unjust steward
The talents The Pharisee and the Publican
The ten pieces of money
You know, as I know, that when you pay your honest tithes and offerings, the windows of heaven are opened and blessings are showered down upon you. That which you give is never missed; it becomes not a sacrifice but an investment under the wondrous powers of the Almighty to bless you. (Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, Volume 2, Intellectual Reserve, USA, 2005, 330)
The payment of an honest tithe and the giving of offerings are important ways to show our love for our Heavenly Father and our willingness to help build His kingdom on earth. President Joseph F. Smith counseled: “By this principle (tithing) the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it” (Gospel Doctrine, 225).
The truer measure of sacrifice is not so much what one gives to sacrifice as what one sacrifices to give.” (Lynn G. Robbins, “Tithing—a Commandment Even for the Destitute,” Ensign, May 2005, 34)
Reading. The assignment for this lesson was to read the article by Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, p. 26.
Family Home Evening Assignment. Select one of the points from the pamphlet above. Use that point as your lesson for your Family Home Evening lesson that you teach your family. Be prepared to comment on your Family Home Evening activity next Sunday. There are also two other FHE lessons on wealth that may be used.