Why Pay Tithing: My Testimony

This morning I was studying from a teaching manual when I came across the question, "What blessings have you received from paying tithing?" For those of you who don't know, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members donate 10% of their increase to the church. This money helps build Temples, cares for the needy in the area, helps support education, and more. When asked the question about blessings, I though a lot about my testimony of tithing, and I wrote this in my journal:

"I've never really been tempted not to pay tithing. Maybe because I grew up always paying it. I've never questioned it and always had faith to do it. However, this might be exactly why I have a hard time identifying the blessings --I've never not had them I guess. My testimony of tithing isn't one that comes from some great single experience, but rather a testimony built slowly over time --line upon line. As my income has grown, so has my faith, and therefore writing bigger tithing checks had not had a toll on my faith. Who knows what the future will bring, but as of right now I am content with this simple way in which I can express my obedience and gratitude to the Lord. As for the blessings, I have never wanted for anything (unless you count worldly desires that I didn't really need anyhow, haha) and somehow I've always had enough to do the things that matter to me --such as attend university."

Paying 10% of your increase is difficult for a lot of people, and blessing are poured out unto them. Although this has been a concept I've never struggled to grasp, I do know that it takes faith to donate that 10%, and the faith I express when I pay it qualifies me for incredible blessings. Even through hardship monetarily, my family has always been able to afford those things that are most important to us --education, missions, music lessons. I know that paying our tithing is what brought those blessings.

"Bring ye all the ^atithes into the storehouse, that there may be^bmeat in mine house, and ^cprove me now herewith, saith the Lordof hosts, if I will not ^dopen you the ^ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a ^fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." -Malachi 3:10

Thoughts on Faith

Faith is not passive. In fact, faith cannot exist without action.
Often the first step to faith is action.
Action requires energy.
Faith therefore requires energy.
The only way to have the energy necessary to posses faith is to be Spiritually awake.
We are Spiritually awake when we walk in the light, not the dark (just as light helps us to be physically awake.)
And this again brings us back to action.
Walking in the light requires action. We have to actively seek the light and hold it up for others to see.
Walking in the light means following the Savior's example.
Therefore, we can conclude that faith is following our Savior, Jesus Christ.
"Follow" is an action word.
Act in Faith.