Power of Tithing

          Tithing is definitely NOT a logical commandment.  But oh what tremendous blessings follow if we follow the promptings.

          Two examples of tithing shared in Testimony meeting last week.  The first is a recent convert who upon talking with his sister learned that his niece would be turning 11 on her next birthday.  She wanted a violin.  The speaker didn’t know why she had mentioned it as she was aware of his financial struggles and so of course a violin was out of the question.

          He wanted to pay tithing but did not have the finances to do so.  As he was headed out the door to go to church, he grabbed his piggy bank on an impulse.  He said he offered his tithing in all the change that the piggy bank held – about five dollars – maybe more.  It was all that he had. 

          On his way home he felt impressed to visit with a couple that he hadn’t seen in some time.  When he arrived he notice his friends boxing up items and asked about what was taking place.  They said they had been having a yard sale but decided that they were done for the day.

          The woman asked, “By the way, do you know someone who could use a violin?”

 

         Our friend was taken aback.  It was in pristine condition – still in its original casing as though it had never been used.  Our friend expressed his interest but said he did not have the money to pay for it – not even ten dollars.  The woman gave him the violin and told him he could give her ten dollars the following week.

          Wow.

          A couple (I’ll call them Michael and Brenda – though the names were not given) chose to get married during winter break.  Friends were away for the holidays – some on skiing trips.  They married without their all their friends being present. Those same friends had not bothered with gifts.  (It sounded like a crash course wedding)

          Later in the marriage, things were tight.  It seemed like they were stretching their paychecks until finally it came down to: Do we pay our tithing or our student loans? 

          They fasted and prayed about it and decided to use the money for tithing.  They would still owe on their student loans.  Out of the blue Michael’s friends (the ones who had not come to the wedding) had sent checks – a late wedding – I’m sorry I was unable to attend – gifts.  The amount of all the checks combined added up to exactly what was needed for the student loan.

          Of course we have our own tithing and financial stretching miracles.  Richard and I (together) had never lived in an apartment but were always able to keep/raise our children in a house.  We always had enough food to eat.  We had sufficient for our needs.  We always paid tithing because we needed to. 

          My son had used this example. Tithing is like God handing you a loaf of bread and then asking you if you can cut off the heal of the bread and give it back to him.  He will then give you another loaf of bread.

          I am grateful for the law of tithing and the miracles and blessings attained.