The Blessings of Tithing

Paying tithing brings great blessings, especially in helping us better recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives.

The Lord has commanded us to pay tithing. In return, He promises to “open … the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). His blessings, however, come in His own way and in His own time and can be spiritual or temporal.

In times of economic or family difficulty, the Lord’s blessings promised to those who faithfully pay tithing may seem distant. But as the following Latter-day Saints observe, paying tithing helps Church members better recognize the hand of the Lord in their lives.

For Parents

In the story “Just One Coin” (Friend, Aug. 2011, 32–33), Daniel learns that paying tithing is a good choice—even if his contribution is a single coin. An accompanying activity explains some of the ways tithing money is used. Reading this article as a family could be a great way to start a conversation about tithing. To help your children remember how the Church uses tithing, consider using some of the pictures in the activity to decorate their tithing jar or box.

Previous editions of the Friend can be found online at lds.org/friend.

Answering Questions

How Is Tithing Used?

The principle of tithing—voluntarily giving one-tenth of our income to God’s work—has been taught since Old Testament times (see Genesis 14:17–21). This is how the Lord funds His Church. Today tithing funds are used for (1) constructing temples, chapels, and other Church buildings; (2) providing operating funds for the Church; (3) funding the missionary program (this does not include individual missionary expenses); (4) preparing materials used in Church classes and organizations; and (5) carrying out other important work, such as temple and family history work.

Left: photograph © Photospin; background by Sarah Jenson; right: Against the Wind, by Liz Lemon Swindle, may not be copied

Photograph by Ed Ferrin

• Tithing Increases Faith

  Lourdes Soliz de Duran

• Tithing Brings Peace

  Ricardo Reyes Villalta

• Tithing Brings Conversion

  Ol’ga Nikolayevna Khripko

• Tithing Blesses Families

  Sandie Graham

• Tithing Opens the Windows of Heaven

  Jacqueline Kirbyson