If this question is “Why should I pay tithing when the stock market is down”—meaning when times are economically tough—we would quote President Kimball:
“The poor have special need to tithe. There are people who say they cannot afford to pay tithing, because their incomes are small. They are the people who need the blessings of the Lord! No one is ever too poor to pay tithing, and the Lord has promised that he will open the windows of heaven when we are obedient to his law. He can give us better salaries, he can give us more judgment in the spending of our money. He can give us better health, he can give us greater understanding so that we can get better positions. He can help us so that we can do the things we want to do. However, if we like luxuries or even necessities more than we like obedience, we will miss the blessings which he would like to give us” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, [1982], 212).
If, however, this question is simply “Should I pay tithing if the market is down and I am losing money?” we would teach the following: Tithing is defined in the scriptures as “one-tenth of all their interest annually” (D&C 119:4). President Faust explained that verse this way:
“The law of tithing is simple: we pay one-tenth of our individual increase annually. Increase has been interpreted by the First Presidency to mean income. What amounts to 10 percent of our individual income is between each of us and our Maker. There are no legalistic rules” (James E. Faust, “Opening the Windows of Heaven,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 59).
When I am asked this question I like to think of the parable of Christ, and the poor person who paid their last pence for tithing. The rich people were standing around asking Christ who is the most blessed because of tithing. Sure they were paying more tithing than the poor person, but the poor person gave his last coin to God. And Christ said he was more blessed because of it. Also, I like to think of tithing as fire insurance. I know the economy is down, and I could really use that money somewhere else, but I am a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I try to follow what is counseled to do. Also, I went to the temple for the first time ever last Saturday, and I am getting married and sealed on Friday. I wouldn’t be able to go do the temple things if I wasn’t a full tithe payer. The Lord will watch over his Flock just like a shepherd. So I am not worried.
If you don’t pay tithing in an economy that’s down, you may not have the income to do so when it’s higher! It’s not about the mone, it’s about the commitment to Heavenly Father!
No one has ever asked me that question. Probably because it’s a copout. BooHoo, I am losing money, OH how can the Lord expect me to pay!
If you think of tithing as a burden, then you should be happy the economy is sucking you dry, now your ten percent is much less.
it is good to invest in the stock market but you must be very careful and not speculate on rising stocks.”.: