Lesson for May 15, 2016

Lesson for May 15, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp about “The Law of Tithing.” Does anyone remember that President Hunter was an attorney before he became a General Authority and he explains things really well. We are going to discuss the spiritual side of paying tithing and avoid being contentious. President Hunter said, The tithe is God’s law for all children, but the payment is voluntary. Refusal to pay does not negate the law. President Hunter was engaged and went to get a temple recommend. His bishop said you don’t pay much tithing, so do you have enough to live on? President Hunter didn’t understand what a true tithe meant. His bishop explained what tithing is. His fiancée said she believed in tithing and so they decided on living the law of tithing. The Lord has established the law of tithing and His children who love Him, will pay it. Maggie divided us into 3 groups to talk about our own experiences with the spiritual blessings of tithing. One quote was that the principle of tithing should be more than a mechanical payment, but should be a spiritual experience more than a legal, mechanical experience. If you pay your tithing with love, then you get the love back. It’s like being part of a family. It’s a way to pay forward to the church. It is an eternal law that helps us overcome our selfishness. We can expect the Lord to open the windows of heaven when we pay because we love the Lord. Our faith is reinforced when we pay the Lord out of love. How can paying tithing help us to be less selfish. Other offerings, too. Our money is the Lord’s and paying tithing is just giving back a little bit, so we don’t actually own the money. The Lord will reward us so we can learn how to give, too. Fast offerings can also bless us and is an easy way for us to be helpful. That gift is not just to the Lord, it is also for those who need our help. Those who work for the Church are often reminded that they are the recipients of the widow’s mite. Knowing that it is a gift and not just mechanical can help us. Going on a mission is like giving back 10% of a 20-year life. Chelsea Jolley said her son said he is receiving so much more on his mission that he feels like he needs to give more service to the Church to make up that 10% even more. Vira Bahr said that growing up in Ukraine meant she could not save enough to go on a mission, so it was the donations of the members that made it possible for her to go on a mission, which changed her life. The missionaries experience miracles because of the donations of the members. Paying tithing solidifies faith and we cannot afford to deny ourselves of these blessings, such as the temple and other activities associated with the Church. Some of the smaller blessings include increasing our spirituality. Chieko Ukasaki said no one is hungry or cold or unclothed in the next life, so if we want to be of comfort and encouragement, we need to do it in this life. It is our donations that can help change people’s lives and help us to reach out and accomplish things it would be good to be involved in.