The Law of Tithing is one of the best examples of a direct commandment from the Lord that helps us become more like He is. His nature, as recorded in the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood found in D&C 84:33-42, is one of a very loving father that wants to share all that he has with his righteous and obedient children.

On the other hand, by nature most men seem to be selfish, wanting to accumulate for themselves the treasures of the earth, oftentimes pushing others down in order that they might obtain it. The words of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon describe “the natural man [as] an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19), a state of being that we must “put off” if we are to enjoy the eternal blessings which the father would like us to enjoy.

The Law of Tithing helps us to share with others and give back to the Lord a little portion of that which he has generously given us. If we pay our tithing, because we want to, being motivated by love and a desire to be obedient, we begin to eliminate our natural tendency of selfishness and in a way we start to become a different being. I often thank the Lord for the effect this simple and clear commandment has had on my own life.

The New Testament gives us the example of a rich young man who approached Jesus and learned a lesson regarding sacrifice, riches, and wealth.

“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? . . . Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10: 17, 17-22)

Obviously this was a fine young man, having “observed from [his] youth all of these [commandments]”. As fine a young man as he was, it appears that his priorities were confused and he may have failed to understand who was making the request. Earlier it was stated that he had learned a lesson and one might ask, what was it that he learned, for he left the Savior finding the request too great, recognizing that his lifestyle would be affected too much. Our hindsight is good and we now see that the young man has been dead for about 2,000 years. When he left this life he took none of his “great possessions” with him. Given the same opportunity if he could live it again, with his present knowledge, he would most assuredly make a different decision. By now I declare that the lesson is understood.

The young man had been asked a very personal request from the Lord, that he give or sacrifice “all” that he had and follow Him. We are not asked for “all”, but just a tenth of the “all” that our Father has given us. Surely we can have the faith to so do and unlike the rich young man we have no doubt about whom is inviting us to live this law.

About forty years ago I was serving a mission in Mexico and at times I would be teaching families that didn’t have many of this world’s goods. They were wonderful, faithful people and I remember being a little hesitant in the beginning as I would teach the Law of Tithing, recognizing that I was wearing a white shirt and tie and probably appeared wealthy, even though I came from a modest home.

Very soon I came to realize, however, that if they were ever to come out of poverty, both temporally and spiritually, they would need to live this law with its inherent promises. We are reminded of the promise in the Book of Malachi of the Old Testament where after asking if a man would “rob God” in failing to pay “tithes and offerings”, the Lord said, that by living this law, “he will open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:8 - 10)

I also realized that as a missionary it was my duty to teach this great principle and that the teaching could only be understood as the Spirit confirmed to peoples souls that it was true. With pure arithmetic it just doesn’t come out, but when the Lord and our faith become involved Heavenly Father’s children are blessed spiritually and temporally beyond even what they may see or understand in this life. This law truly has to do more with faith than with money and certainly has to do with eternity.

President Hinckley has indicated that our people will not come out of poverty nor will they remain active in the Church unless they pay their tithing. I have been back to Mexico many times as a Mission President and General Authority over the past forty years and it has been interesting to observe the Saints relative to this commandment. Those who have followed the Savior with faith and have lived this law have come out of their poverty and been blessed abundantly, especially in things spiritual and eternal, while those who have not lived this divine law are not there and remain in their poverty.

It is now most interesting how the Saints of Mexico have just dedicated their Twelfth Temple.

My dear brothers and sister of this great Asia Area, I am convinced that the work in Asia has just begun and that the Church here will begin to rapidly grow beyond our hopes and dreams. As others and we come into the Church and are converted, we are invited to come unto Christ, to He who atoned for our sins and gave the supreme sacrifice of his voluntary condescension, suffering, and death. I do not believe, nor can I ever be convinced that we will ever know Him or come unto Him unless we too are willing to sacrifice. The payment of our tithes and offerings becomes a very important part of that sacrifice.