More Than Money: The True Rewards of Tithing

Comments on another article about tithing led me to search for modern arguments against the House of Israel observing this law. One common claim: Christ did away with tithing since the New Testament doesn’t explicitly command Christians to live it.

A fellow Christian writer attempted to support that view, offering a case that, while sincere, lacked scriptural evidence. It relied instead on church politics and interpretation, valid only if one believes that God no longer gives revelation.

One comment in particular stood out. It misrepresented tithing returns as if they were tied to financial gain, like stocks that failed to perform. But tithing is not a get-rich investment. It is a spiritual law with spiritual returns, as this article will explain.

"Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven..." King James Bible

"Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven...' Berean Study Bible

"And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you " English Standard Version

"When ye have tried Me, now, with this, Said Jehovah of Hosts, Do not I open to you the windows of heaven?" Young's Literal Translation

This tithing relationship with God is not one-sided. He expects us to show our devotion by returning a tenth—ten percent—of what He gives us annually. In return, He invites us to test Him. He challenges us to let Him prove that He is faithful in our support.

The first promise He gives is this: He will open the windows of heaven—revelation! If we pay our tithes, the Lord promises to reveal Himself to us. But He cannot be deceived. Tithing is not a loophole. We cannot willfully disobey other commandments and expect tithing alone to cover us. We must walk in the light of Christ’s example and strive to live as decent Christians—serving others, loving sincerely, and obeying His word.

When we do this, He will speak—in prayer, through scripture, through a bishop or minister, by a sign on the road or a word from a stranger. He will make Himself known in ways that we can recognize. He promises: “Prove me now.”

This helps us understand the Savior’s words more fully:

“Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion.”
(Doctrine and Covenants 97:12)

God does not require buildings out of vanity. He asks for sanctuaries so He can come unto us while we are gathered in worship, and reveal His will to us individually. And when we listen, we receive.

The psychology behind it is brilliant.
God is so selfless that He blesses us with abundance, asks only for a tenth in return, then uses it to build holy places, only so He can give us even more.

Tithing and the True Riches of Revelation

Revelation through the Holy Spirit is the key. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe in continuing revelation—both to modern prophets and to individuals. Through the scriptures and modern guidance, Jesus Christ commands us to pay tithes.

Many faithful Christians of other denominations who live this law also testify that God fulfills His promises. But let it be clear: God never promised monetary riches as a result of paying tithing—never. If a preacher or minister proclaims to their congregation that tithing guarantees wealth, it is not scriptural, and worse, it borders on deception. That teaching is not of God—it is of Satan.

God is no jinni. He does not grant wishes because we “rub the bottle” of devotion. That is a pagan substitute rooted in superstition, not covenant. The Lord is not transactional in the way the world expects.

The true riches of God are spiritual. He may bless a businessperson with clarity of mind to develop a successful idea—that’s possible. But He may also reveal how to mend a struggling marriage, how to find peace in grief, or how to forgive an old offense. The blessings of tithing are not limited to money; they reach across the full spectrum of divine concern.

God is not the stock market.
He is much better.

"Pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." King James Bible

"Pour out for you blessing without measure." Berean Study Bible

"Pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." English Standard Version

"Yea, I have emptied on you a blessing till there is no space." Young's Literal Translation

There are multiple ways to view the blessing that the Lord will pour out to us for paying tithing. I remember as a young man, I had a choice to pay my tithing or pay for a two-week mission trip with the church. The importance of the mission trip to me at the time, seemed paramount because I could learn much in benefiting me to be a teacher of the Gospel. I didn't see a problem with paying tithing late instead of on time--it was about $50 or so that I needed to pay for the mission trip. I had the same amount to pay in tithing--and I was already paying it late!

Choosing not to make God wait further, I gave up on going on the mission trip. In the mail came the blessing that God promises for paying tithing, at least, for that time. I received a check for $593, nearly 12 times more than what I needed for the mission trip!

Some might call it a coincidence. I called it a confirmation of the Lord’s promise. I was able to pay for the mission trip and had more than $500 to spend! And over the years, I have seen that same pattern repeat in my life. Every time I pay tithing in faith, the blessings return in ways both seen and unseen. I have proven Him, and He is true. God delivers on time.

He wants to bless us. Anytime we service Him by working in our churches and paying our offerings He blesses us for our sacrifice.

As King Benjamin declared from the tower at the temple in Zarahemla:

“He doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever.”
(Mosiah 2:24)

God gives us all of our substance, asks for a tenth of it back, then gives it back to us with so much more we are not able to see all of the blessings at once! The blessings are not always valued monetarily or in wealth. I was not able to see it then, but the other benefit that I received from going on that mission trip changed my life and still has an impact on my relationships with God and others.

I am still receiving blessings from that one act of obedience. And when I stop to think of all the times I’ve paid tithing—of all the blessings stacked upon blessings—I truly can’t mentally contain it. I do not have room enough to receive them all.

With my experience—and the experiences of millions of faithful tithe-payers—what further witness could anyone need?
Only one: a witness that comes directly from God.

And He offers it freely to those who are willing to prove Him.

More Than Money: The Real Return

If I only counted the monetary blessings I’ve received from paying tithing, I might be just as frustrated as the commenters who criticized the law in that article my colleague shared. I’m still poor. But my financial status is not God's fault—it’s a reflection of my own learning curve in money management. There are great financial opportunities out there, and I don’t always know how to take advantage of them.

And frankly, God cannot bless me with something I'm not prepared to receive. I’ve had spiritual impressions to invest in certain stocks or ventures, but I dismissed them, either because I didn’t have the money or didn’t think it was realistic. The Lord may be willing to open doors to wealth, but until I’m ready to walk through them, He blesses me with what I can carry now.

And what I carry now is more than enough.

I do not lack food. I do not lack clothing. I have a home. I have a family. And I have all of these in abundance. In fact, at times, it feels overwhelming. My children have never gone hungry. Their needs have always been met. And I firmly believe that is because I have always paid my tithing.

I don’t always get what I want, or get it from where I hoped. But I always receive what I need. Always.

It is my testimony that anyone who lives the law of tithing will receive the same, and more. The blessings may not always come in cash, but they come. They may not always be counted in dollars, but they are real.

Test God. He is faithful. Prove Him. He dares us to.