We talk a great deal about service in the church, and very little about giving financially. Financial information seems to run along two lines: we need to get out of and stay out of debt, and we need to pay our tithes and offerings. Rarely is a connection made between the two, and yet one exists. I’m not saying that you can solve everything with money, but there are times when it can make a big difference. Even worse, when you are tight because you are in debt up to your eyebrows, you find yourself unable to give.
Unlike most churches, the LDS church rarely takes up offerings to help particular individuals. In my ten years in the church, I can only think of one occasion this has happened – when our stake took up a collection to help a sister who had left the stake to serve a mission and wound up with a great deal of medical problems. Her nonmember family was either unable or unwilling to help her, and so we were asked to fill in the ‘other’ section of the tithing slip. In general, however, our tithes and offerings generally cover those in need, by supporting the Bishop’s Storehouse and helping financially as the Bishopric determines is needed.
And yet. What about the Humanitarian project going on this year, or in years past? When you are paying for your car and your credit cards, purchasing extra toothbrushes and cloth diapers can be a financial strain. Yes, you can serve with time and effort – and make no mistake, these are great ways to serve – but suppose everyone in your branch was in debt and so no one could provide materials for quilts and baby blankets? Where would our efforts be then?
Similarly, there are times when those we home and visit teach struggle financially and could use some immediate assistance. A single mom I know hit a rough spot and could not afford diapers or food for her kids that week. What a blessing to know that you have room in your budget because you are managing your money (rather than it managing you) and you can purchase diapers for her!
Despite the counsel of the prophets, far too many members of the church have debt. I’ll go ahead and confess that I have a substantial amount of nonmortgate debt – but my husband and I are in the process of killing that off, and plan to be almost completely debt free by Christmas. An LDS friend recently told me she would rather spend less on a house and “use the extra money for a car payment.” (By the way, this is a bad plan financially; houses generally go up in value and cars tend to go down. The best solution, of course, is a moderate house and NO car payment.) I know others who struggle with credit card debt. And the fact that the church leaders keep harping on the subject is a good indication that not everyone is listening.
So I have a challenge for you. Sit down and add up your credit card, car, consumer debt, and student loan payments. Then imagine you didn’t have those to pay every month. How much help could you give if you just gave away half of those payments? Then, pretend your house payment was gone. (Despite it being an ‘allowable’ debt, the church leaders have still counseled us to pay it off as quickly as possible, rather than letting it sit for thirty years.) What if you just gave away half of your house payment?
When you are willing (and able) to give your money away, it keeps your financial perspective straight. If you are a full tithe-payer, you have probably already recognized that the money was never yours to begin with. So what would the Lord want you to do with it? Do you think He’d want you to spend more than you had, or would He want you to seek out opportunities to serve others?
As for me, my plan is to dump all of this debt, and then ‘budget’ an amount each month to try to give away. I’m sure I will find opportunities to do so. Perhaps I can help out a struggling missionary from our ward. Perhaps I can help drop off some diapers or formula. Imagining all the ways I can serve is one way I’ve stayed motivated to cut my lifestyle and dump my debt. What kind of things could (or would) you do if you didn’t have any payments?
Related Articles:
Family Home Evening: Tithes and Offerings
General Conference: “The Law of Tithing”