Tithing

 Emily Gail Turano

3/9/2015 11:32 PM

Gave His Gold Tooth to help build the temple 

In 3 Nephi 24:8 , Jesus Christ says," Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." 

Tithes were paid even in the Old Testament to the High Priest Melchizedek; He was the leader of the church at the time and held the highest Priesthood. (Genesis 14:19-20, 28: 20-22)

We can see that Tithing is a preparatory law even in the New Testament- paying our tithes and offerings prepares us to live with God again in His kingdom. In Acts 4:33-35 Christ's apostles instructed and set up the Law of Consecration, as it reads ; " And with great power gave the apostles witness of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." 

Tithing was only introduced into the Restored Church after a revelation given to Joseph Smith, proceeding the time that the saints lived the Law of Consecration, thus we can see this was a lower law; a law that prepares for what is expected in God's kingdom in heaven. ( D&C 119:3-4 )

It is important that when we pay our tithes and offerings that we do it happily. Our attitudes in giving are very important because they are a reflection of our true desire to bless and share with all of our brothers and sisters. 

" Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver."( 2 Corinthians 9:7 )

 There is a wonderful example given by some early saints of being cheerful givers. These saints were so happy to have a temple in their area that they sacrificed ; even though they were struggling to make ends meet themselves. The members in Sao Brazil were asked to pay for one-third of the cost of their new temple, while still paying the additional ten-percent that they already paid in tithing. They were so happy to do this that many sold many of their personal belongings to pay this price. One man even donated his gold tooth for the building of the temple. 

"President Spencer W. Kimball stood before the congregation gathered for the 1975 São Paulo Brazil Area Conference and said, "I have an important announcement." Hush fell over the crowd. "A temple will be built in Brazil," he continued as a rendition of the edifice was unveiled to a chorus of gasps. "It will be built [here] in São Paulo."Saints throughout Latin America were overjoyed by the announcement. At the time, members were expected to raise one-third of the cost of a new temple. With so many having so little, members made extraordinary sacrifices to raise money. One memorable donation was a gold dental bridge presented by an Argentine man to a pair of missionaries. They declined the gift at first, saying they couldn't take the man's teeth, but he responded, "You can't deny me the blessings I will receive by giving this to the Lord for his temple." Elder James E. Faust, who was serving as the South America area supervisor for the Church, heard the story and paid a generous sum of money for the gold. From that day on, he kept the dental bridge as a reminder of the Saints' countless sacrifices."  ( ldschurchtemples.com )(http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saopaulo)

Paying our tithing is the only commandment that we can do perfectly. We are so blessed in the gospel; to have the Priesthood, the fullness of the scriptures; and the sacred work in the temple; paying tithing is such blessing for us; as a way to show how thankful that we are to have these things. I am thankful for the opportunity to have this avenue of giving to the Lord. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.