Mormon Musings

Why pay tithing? The principle of tithing, or voluntarily giving one-tenth of our income to God’s work, has been known since Old Testament times. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:18–20). “Tithing is not so much a matter of dollars as it is a matter of faith,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008). “It becomes a privilege and an opportunity, and not a burden.” 1  As we follow the word of God and pay our tithes and offerings, the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings that there will not be room enough to receive them (see Malachi 3:8–10). - Ensign,  Jan. 2013, 60 1.  “Messages of Inspiration from President Hinckley,”  Church News,  Dec. 6, 1997, 2;

When men, women, and children are honest with God and pay their tithes and offerings, the Lord gives them wisdom whereby they can do as much or more with the remainder than they could if they had not been honest with the Lord. Many times they are blessed and prospered in various ways—spiritually, physically, and mentally, as well as materially. Franklin D. Richards, April 1971 General Conference http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1971/04/the-law-of-abundance?lang=eng

Paying tithing is  not  a token gift we are somehow charitably bestowing upon God. Paying tithing is discharging a debt. Elder James E. Talmage once described this as a contract between us and the Lord. He imagined the Lord saying: “‘You have need of many things in this world—food, clothing, and shelter for your family … , the common comforts of life. … You shall have the means of acquiring these things; but remember they are mine, and I require of you the payment of a rental upon that which I give into your hands. However, your life will not be one of uniform increase … [so] instead of doing as mortal landlords do—requir[ing] you to … pay in advance, whatever your fortunes or … prospects may be—you shall pay me … [only] when you have received; and you shall pay me in accordance with what you receive. If it so be that in one year your income is abundant, then … [your 10 percent will be a] little more; and if it be so that the next year is one of distress and your income is n...

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/like-a-watered-garden?lang=eng&query=well+watered+garden+(name%3a%22Jeffrey+R.+Holland%22)

“May I…suggest five reasons why all of us, rich or poor, longtime member or newest convert, should faithfully pay our tithes and offerings. First, do so for the sake of your children and grandchildren, the rising generation, who could now, if we are not careful, grow up in the Church with absolutely no understanding as to how their temples, chapels, seminaries, and socials are provided. Teach your children that many of the blessings of the Church are available to them because you and they give tithes and offerings to the Church. Teach them that those blessings could come virtually no other way.  Then take your children to tithing settlement with you, just as President Howard W. Hunter's grandson was taken with his father several years ago. In that experience the bishop indicated his pleasure in young Brother Hunter's wanting to pay a full tithing. In the process of receiving the coins, he asked the lad if he thought the gospel were true. As the boy handed over his full tithing...