THE
LAW OE
TITHING
ELDER STEPHEN L. RICHARDS of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Law Of Ltthing m
ELDER STEPHEN L RICHARDS of the First Presidency
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints M y subject is tithing. I can scarcely hope
to contribute a single new thought to this matter, but I have felt that the importance of it would serve to challenge your interest, and I have hoped that some good might result from a discussion of it. For some things that I may say I acknowledge indebtedness to a little volume which has recently been placed i n mv hands called, "Dealing Squarely W i t h Cod." The RelationshiTp of Money to Christianity:
and
Property
" Y o u can usually tell the sin-
cerity of a man's interest i n anything by the way he puts his money into i t . " Indeed it has been said that the measures of a man's Christianity may he determined by the way he gets and spends his money. It is said that Jesus had more to say about money and property, strange as it may seem, than about any other subject. I n sixteen of thirty-eight of H i s parables
money and property are made H i s
theme. Money and Myself: After all, " I s not money myself? Money is the medium for which men exchange their abilities, ingenuity and labor. W h e n a man gives his money he is giving h i m -
self, and the way a man gives his money is the way he gives himself. Money is myself. I am a laboring man, we w i l l say, and can wield a pickaxe and hire myself out for a week at two dollars a day. A t the close of the week I get twelve dollars and I put it i n my pocket. W h a t is that twelve dollars? It is a week's worth of my muscle put into greenbacks and pocketed. That is, I have got a week's worth of myself in my pocket."
So when a man
gives the money that he has earned, he is giving literally of himself.
G i v i n g is worship.
W e are commanded "not to appear before the Lord empty-handed." N o t that the Lord needs the gift, but that man needs to give. Test of Faith
is Giving:
The first principle
of religion is recognition of God-faith.
The
real test of that recognition is giving. B y that test we may judge with accuracy the religious attitude of our country. I n a recent year, statistics reveal the fact that more money was spent for face powder and cosmetics;
more
for ice cream, soft drinks and chewing gum; more for cigarettes,
respectively,
than
the
total sum expended to support all churches. May that not be a criterion by which we may safely judge the religious attitude, the deepset religious feeling of the people of
the
countrt^? D o not the words of Malachi seem pertinent; " W i l l a man rob God? Y e t ye have robbed me.
But ye say, wherein have we robbed
thee? I n tithes and offerings." Sovereignty of
God:
^V^J
W e do not rob G o d
by withholding our gift i n the sense that we
deprive him of the substance of earth.
He
always has that substance, never relinquishing it. But we rob him of the satisfaction and the joy that he must feel when his children respond to his mandate and open their hearts in giving and in worship. Someone has said. " G o d never gives a quit-claim deed, he only grants a leasehold estate, and he who receives the lease must ever return the rental." N o w the Lord has
Bought with a Price:
commanded that a rental be returned for all the substance and for all the blessings which he has given to his children. Christ bought us with a price, so we are told i n the scripture. I s it to be thought that we are to gain salvation without a price, without giving and paying for it? W h e n we speak of paying i n this sense we do not mean that pay which is given as if i n barter, but we mean the return of substance which is committed to our stewardship and which we hold i n trust for the one who has so blessed us. Partnership
with God:
I like to think of the
Lord as a partner because the essence of partnership is a sharing of profits. It is h o w ever indispensible i n a partnership that there shall also be a sharing of the burdens of the enterprise.
The honor and the satisfaction
that come to one i n realization that he hves his life i n parmership with G o d is to me a lofty and exalting thought.
One caimot hope to
realize the profits from that venture without bearing his portion of the expense — the giving which is requisite. Payment
of Dues:
T h e C h u r c h generally
is probably the only society i n the world
where a man is not suspended from membership for failure to pay his dues. I think that in substantially every other organized body of men for social or material gain if a man fails to pay his stipulated contribution he is dropped. W h i l e the C h u r c h does not drop from membership those who fail to pay, I feel very certain that those who fail to pay their stipulated portion automatically drop themselves from the real advantages of C h u r c h participation and the blessings that inure from ;-
activity within it. Thrift
Habits:
= t- , u
"Prove me herewith, saith
the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the w i n dows of heaven," speaking to those whom he had admonished to pay their tithes and offerings. W h a t comes from the windows of heaven Both temporal and spiritual blessings.
Tem-
poral blessings accrue largely from the cultivation of thrift habits.
The payment of tithes
of necessity compels an orderly arrangement of affairs. Accounting is indispensable. B u d g eting is necessary. Saving follows. A l l of which are necessary to financial success. Economy:
It was Victor Hugo who said:
"Above all, teach the children to save. Economy is the sure foundation for all virtues." I heard a banker say not long ago that if tithing served no other purpose than to secure an orderly adjustment of one's affairs, a budgeting of the income and expenses, it would be invaluable. I feel sure that he who pays his tithes not only has a better conception of economy, but he is indulging i n a practice which w i l l bring him into better thrift habits and enable him to go forward toward financial prosperity.
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Spiritual
Power:
Observance
of
tithing
brings spiritual power, and after all that to me is the main thing. Religion is more than mere repose or relaxation.
It is positive spiritual
exercise. It makes for the growth of the soul, it cultivates all of the virtues. So one who is serious about religion will be willing to give to it the things which are vital to himself. One who is honest with God is
Honesty:
apt to be honest with his neighbor and with his employer. The need of honesty is attested everywhere and particularly in our own communities by defalcations, the extent and magnitude of which makes us all blush with shame. I can scarcely conceive of a man who is honest with his G o d not being honest with his fellowman, and I can well advocate the payment of our tithing in a straightforward, square, honest way as being a safe foundation on which to build those principles of integrity that shall make honest men and women in the community. Need of the Tithe:
.
• .
The need of the tithe
in the prosecution of God's work must be apparent to all of you.
There are so many ave-
nues in which sums may be expended to promote the work that I can scarcely take time to mention them. N o t long ago I had the privilege of traveling i n one of the missions of the Church.
I was delighted to observe that in
many rural sections which are not in the van of our progress and civilization the C h u r c h has caused to be erected inexpensive but beautiful small chapels. I could well conceive the influence that these chapels might exert not
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only in the furtherance of our religious views, but in their effect on the home life, the community life, the habits and practices of the people.
These little chapels were clean and
orderly, and I am sure they will bring an i n spiration to many hundreds of homeowners to clean up their establishments, to live i n an orderly and a more beautiful way. I f
the
Church were endowed with sufficient means these little chapels could be extended throughout the whole land and would bring wonderfully beneficial results. Use of Tithing
Funds:
W i t h our temples
large sums of money are required. T h i n k of the great work of redemption there performed. Our whole missionar)' cause is, i n large measure, dependent upon the financial support that comes to the C h u r c h and also that which comes to those who are called on missions. There is a very definite relation between the finances of our people and the propagation of the Cospel of Christ. There is a very definite relation between missionary work and debt. I propose this constructive principle of the Cospel embraced in the law of tithing as a solution for many of our financial problems, as a foundation upon which men may build to bring themselves i n a position to accept the calls that come to them to spread the great
truths which
are
committed
custody.
to our <
Every
man
who pays his tithing should enjoy it.
The
Enjoyment
of
Tithe-paying:
Cospel of Christ is a gospel of
enjoyment.
" M a n is that he might have joy." W h e n one
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pays his tithing without enjoyment
he is
robbed of a part of the blessing. H e must learn to give cheerfully, willingly and joyfully, and his gift will be blessed. I n order that he may receive more enjoyment he needs to pay more frequently.
W h y deprive oneself of the joy
that comes from this voluntary giving until the end of
the year, when by
payments
throughout the year we may increase and enhance not only the joy of our giving but the practice of it. Monthly
Payments:
I have found it to be
a very difficult problem i n mathematics to pay one-tenth out of one-twelfth. I commend that thought to those who are receiving monthly stipends and who indulge the practice of paying their tithing at the close of the year.
I
am sure you wiil find it very difficult indeed to get the tenth out of the twelfth if your tithing remains for payment until the last month. I can heartily recommend to y o u the payment of your tithes as your funds come into your hands, not only because it w i l l be easier, but because greater blessings w i l l inure to you. Consecration:
W e consecrate our lives i n
this C h u r c h to the advancement of the cause of C o d . There is no higher evidence of that consecration than this giving which has been enjoined upon us by the Lord. " H e who gives himself with his gift feeds three â&#x20AC;&#x201D; himself, his hungering neighbor and me." So the law of tithing is the epitome of the Cospel. It is genuine worship and true recognition of the sovereignty of C o d . It is real consecration, the giving of the muscle and energy of life to the cause, and it begets the abundant life
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of love and service for which came. By
the Christ
It is a measurement of true religion.
the extent of its observance every man
may determine for himself the vitality of his own faith and love of C o d . A prophet has said, "the tenth shall be holy unto the L o r d . " It will be holy unto you, men and women of Israel, if you give it lovingly, joyfully, w i l l ingly, to the great cause. C o d help us so to do. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Mission Addresses Alaskan Canadian Mission 5055 Connaught D r i v e Vancouver 13, B . C . . C a n a d a
Central British Missiott "Cotswold" 185 Penns Lane W a l m l e y , Sutton Coldfield Warwickshire, England
Andes Mission C a s i l l a de Correo 4759 L i m a , Peru Argentine Mission General Pacheco 1380 Martinez, Prov. Bs. A s . Argentina Australian Mission " P a x t o n " Russell Street Sydney. Wollstonecraft, N . S . W . , Australia
Central German Mission Moersenbroicher W e g 184 Duesseldorf N , G e r m a n y
Central States Mission 306 South Pleasant Street Independence, Missouri 64051 Chilean Mission Casilla 28 Las Condes. C h i l e
Austrian Mission Fuerfanggasse 4 V i e n n a X I X , Austria
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Cumorah Mission - - - i . 1840 Monroe A v e . Rochester. N e w Y o r k 14618
Bavarian Mission Agnes Bernauerstr. 1 0 3 A - 8 M u n i c h 42, G e r m a n y
Danish Mission Dalgas Boidevard 164 Copenhagen F . . Denmark
Berlin Mission A m Hirschsprung 60 Berlin-Dahlem. Germany Brazilian Mission C a i x a Postal 862 Sao Paulo, B r a z i l
East Central States Mission 1325 Eastern P a r k w a y P. O . Box 4125, Baxter A v e . Station Louisville. Kentucky 40204
B r a z i l i a n South Mission C a i x a Postal 778 C u r i t i b a , Parana, B r a z i l
Eastern Atlantic States Mission 7615 Winterherry Place Bethesda 14, M a r y l a n d
British Mission 50 Princes Gate. Exhibition Road London, S . W . 7. E n g l a n d
Eastern States Mission 9 7 3 Fifth Avenue New York City 21, New York European Mission â&#x20AC;˘Postfach 3 1 0 6 " 55 Bettinastrasse F r a n k f u r t / M a i n ( 9 ) , Germany F i n n i s h Mission Neitsytpolku 3 A . 4 Helsinki, F i n l a n d Florida Mission 2400 Forrest R o a d W i n t e r Park, Florida
British South Mission " O r c h a r d Cottage" Pangbourne H i l l , Pangboume Berks,, E n g l a n d California Mission 1591 East Temple W a y Los Angeles 24, C a l i f o r n i a Canadian Mission 133 L y n d h u r s t A v e n u e Toronto 4. Ontario, C a n a d a
Franco Belgian Mission 16, rue Gustave van Huynegem Jette, St. Pierre, Brussels 9. Belgium
Central A m e r i c a n Mission Apartado 587 3 A . A v e n i d a 11 57, Zona 9 Guatemala C i t y , Guatemala Central America Central Atlantic States P . O . Box 841 (102-23rd St.. S . E . ) Roanoke, V i r g i n i a
French Mission 3 rue de Lota Paris 16. France
Mission
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French East Mission 8 C h e m i n W m . Barbey Chamhesy ( G e n e v e ) , Switzerland
n
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French Polynesian Mission Avenue d u C o m m a n d a n t Chesse' (Boite Postale 9 3 ) Papeete, T a h i t i Great Lakes
Mission
4700 O l d Mill Road Fort W a y n e , I n d i a n a Gulf States Mission 2610 Fairfield Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 H a w a i i Mission 3019 P a l i H i g h w a y H o n o l u l u , Ffawaii 96817
N o r t h Scottish Mission "Boroughfield" 32 Colinton R o a d E d i n b u r g h 10, Scotland Northeast British Mission "Rossett C r e e n " Rossett C r e e n L a n e Harrogate. Y o r k s h i r e . E n g l a n d Northern California Mission 4945 D n c o l n W a y Oakland, California 94602 Northern Far Fast Mission 14-2 H i r o o - c h o , A z a b u M i n a t o - K u , T o k y o , Japan
Irish Mission "Redhill" Upper Malone R d . Belfast 10, N o . Ireland
Northern Indian Mission 6I51/2 Seventh St. R a p i d C i t y , South D a k o t a
Korean Mission L D S Mission A P O , c/o Postmaster S a n Francisco, C a U f o m i a
Northern Mexican Mission Jamaica 501 C o l o n i a V i s t a Hermosa Monterrey, N u e v o L e o n , Mexico
Mexican Mission Monte Caucaso 1110 Lomas de Chapultepec Mexico C i t y 10, D . F .
Northern States Mission 6011 N o r t h Sheridan R o a d Chicago 26, Illinois
Netherlands Mission De Cinckel Amersfoortsestraatweg 2 1 4 Huizen N . H . Post B u s s u m Netherlands N e w E n g l a n d Mission College House 1430 Massachusetts A v e n u e Cambridge. Mass. 02138 N e w Zealand Mission P . O . B o x 72, 48 A m e y R o a d A u c k l a n d C . I . , N e w Zealand N e w Zealand South Mission P . O . B o x 2601 ( 1 4 D u n c a n St. T a w a ) Welhngton, N e w Zealand North Argentine Mission Casilla # 1 7 Sucursal de Correo N o . 9 Cordoba, Argentina N o r t h British Mission " T h e Orchard." T h e Avenue Hale, Cheshire. E n g l a n d North Central States Mission 2219 Pillsbury A v e n u e Minneapohs 4. Minnesota N o r t h Gentian Mission Hamburg-Nienstedten Doerpfeldstrasse 34. C e r m a n y N o r t h Indian Mission 521 E . N e w Y o r k St. R a p i d C i t y , S. D .
Northwestern States Mission 1975 South E a s t 30th A v e n u e Portland 15. O r e g o n N o r w e g i a n Mission Drammensveien 9 6 C Oslo, Norway Rarolonga Mission B o x 8 1 , Rarotonga C o o k Islands, South Pacific Samoan Mission P . O . B o x 197 A p i a , U p o l u , Samoa Scottish
Mission
" C l y n h i l l " 169 Paisley R o a d Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland South African Mission " C u m o r a h " Fifth A v e n u e Houghton, Johannesburg. Transvaal South A f r i c a South American Mission A v e n i d a C e n t r a l 6144 Carrasco, Montevideo, U r u g u a y South German Mission "Postfach 9 " Linzerstrasse 9 5 Stuttgart-Feuerbach. C e r m a n y Southeast Mexican Mission Apartado n u m . 103 Simon Bolivar N o . 28 Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico
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Southern A u s t r a l i a n Mission 1216 B u r k e R o a d . No. Balwyn E 9 Victoria. Australia Southern F a r East Mission #2 C o r n w a l l Street Kowloon Tong, Kowloon Hong Kong Southern States Mission 2055 E a s t Lake R o a d N . E . A t l a n t a 7, Ceorgia Southwest British Mission " T h e W e l l House" 16 I v y W e l l R o a d Sneyd Park, Bristol 9 England Southwest Indian Mission Box 9 3 8 Holbrook. A r i z o n a Spanish American Mission Box 2 8 3 0 0 (3551 C u l e b r a R o a d at Hillcrest) S a n A n t o n i o 28, T e x a s 78228 Swedish Mission C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of L D S Postfack T m n b a , Sweden Swiss Mission Pllatusstrasse 11 Z u r i c h 7 / 3 2 , Switzerland Texas Mission 13959 Peyton D r i v e D a l l a s 30, T e x a s
Tongan Mission Box 58, N u k u a l o f a Tongatapu, Tonga, F . I . Uruguayan Mission D u b l i n 1775 Carrasco, Montevideo,
Uruguay
West C e n t r a ! States Mission 1848 R i m r o c k Road, B o x 1797 Billings, Montana West European Mission " W h i t e Hayes", Carden Q o s e Civons Crove Leatherhead, Surrey, E n g l a n d West German Mission Ditmarstrasse 9 16 F r a n k f u r t / M a i n , C e r m a n y West Mexican Mission C a r c i a Conde # 3 1 0 C o l o n i a Pltic Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico West Spanish American Mission 5 5 2 9 V i a Corona, B o x 7 2 2 0 East L o s Angeles 22, C a l i f o r n i a Western Canadian Mission 1 0 1 0 - 7 0 t h Avenue S . W . C a l g a r y , Alberta, C a n a d a Western States Mission P . O . B o x 1679 ( 7 0 9 Q a r k s o n St.) D e n v e r 18. Colorado 80218
THE ARTICLES
OE EAITH
Of T h e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1. W e believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in H i s Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. W e believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's trangression. 3. W e believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. W e believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first. Faith in the I-ord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth. Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. W e believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying in of hands, by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. 6. W e believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, viz:, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 7. W e believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 8. W e believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. W e believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. W e believe in in the restoration of built upon this [the will reign personally will be renewed and
the literal gathering of Israel and the T e n Tribes; that Zion will be American] continent; that Christ upon the earth; and, that the earth receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. W e claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. ,
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12. W e believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 13. W e believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. JOSEPH S M I T H
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in the United States of America
Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.