Grateful for Tithing Settlement

Today I'm grateful for tithing settlement.  If you're unfamiliar with the concept, it's our once-a-year chance to go in to our Bishop and declare ourselves a full tithe payer.  It's not mandatory - we signed up to do it - which means it doesn't feel restrictive.  It's a totally optional experience, and one that I happen to enjoy.

We were able to go in just this past Sunday and declare ourselves full tithe payers.  And it was a fun learning experience.

The first thing we noticed was that one of our tithing payments had been put down in the records as having gone to Tank's name.  Which made it look like Tank had made quite a bit of money for a 5-year-old.  We giggled about that.  (If you're wondering how that happened, remember that Tank's first name is Robert.  Then think about computer systems, lists of names, and then finding the first Robert Thacker and clicking on that name.  Easy mistake.)

Then the Bishop looked at each of the kids in turn and asked if they were full tithe payers.  Miciah said, "I didn't pay any this year."  The Bishop said that was okay, since she probably didn't make any money this year.  She thought about it and said, "I just got birthday money.  I'll pay tithing on that next week."  The Bishop put her down as a full tithe payer.

He turned to Elijah and asked the same question.  Elijah flat-out refused to say he was a full tithe payer.  He hadn't made any money, and he hadn't paid any tithing, and he was adamant that this meant he was NOT a full tithe payer.  The Bishop marked him down as a full tithe payer anyway.

Then he turned to Tank and asked him.  Tank looked at the paper in his hands and thoughtfully said, "I don't know how to read."  The Bishop said, "That's a 'yes.'"

Rob and I each were asked in turn, and it always feels really good to look over the numbers, realize how much the Lord has blessed us, and then declare that we are, indeed, full tithe payers.  There's a sense of pride and love that wells up inside of me every time.

But I'm most grateful for this tithing settlement because of the experience with the kids.  Last year the kids had been earning money for Key West, so they had tithing to pay.  And they really liked that.  We didn't even think about it this year, but we changed systems, they didn't earn anything this year, and so they didn't pay any tithing.  Miciah found a way to still pay something - scrounging up birthday money (we don't make them pay on gifts - that's a personal decision, and you can interpret gifts how you will).  But Elijah REFUSED to say he was a full tithe payer.  And while I'm glad the Bishop marked him down as one anyway, because the Bishop has a kind, discerning heart, I was touched that Elijah felt so strongly about it.  Elijah wants to be good; he wants to do all he can to serve the Lord.  He obviously felt that without paying any tithing, something was lacking. 

Rob and I determined to pay our kids something this next year, so they could pay some tithing.  Even if we don't do it all year (the idea was to save money), we could do it part of the year.  And then, when it comes time for tithing settlement in 2012, they can say with pride and love, "Yes, I am a full tithe payer!"