Teaching Tithing

To the ♥ of a 7 year old boy,
who has mopped, swept, washed, and worked his way to $30,
is not easy.


"Do you remember that you need to pay tithing when you make money?"

"MOOOooom!!!?? (Big frown, tears pooling up) I need all my money to buy the Thunder Driller."


I didn't know exactly what to say.
I offered a little prayer in my heart.
We were in my room.
I sat on the bed, patted a spot beside me.
He loves to be close to his mama.
I tickled his back-something he REALLY loves.
I could already feel his mood start to change.
He softened a bit, his body relaxed.
He looked up at me with those deep brown eyes.


"I remember when I started paying tithing.
It was hard for me to give my money away.
Paying tithing is showing Heavenly Father that we love him more than stuff.
Stuff breaks, it doesn't last."

I told him my first experiences.
I changed sprinklers all summer.
I worked hard.
I told him my experiences now.
I had just written a check for tithing that morning.
I told him about it.
Told him I could use that money to buy all kinds of things.
Told him I wanted new camera lenses, BAD.

"When I pay the Lord first,
it makes me stronger.
Makes me a better person.
I feel less greedy, and Heavenly Father blesses me for it."

I started crying at this point.
I told him about the all the good things that have happened.
I told him that I know Heavenly Father and Jesus are real.
They were watching us at that very moment.

"When my mom died
I felt their love,
when her spirit was struggling to leave her body.
It was really hard to watch that.
But I knew.
I felt so much love, during a time when it hurt so much.
They're real.
They love us.
Can we prove we love them?
Yes!
We pay tithing.
We give up we want.
Its really hard.
But it makes us good.
Less greedy.
More giving.
When you give your tithing to the Bishop your heart will feel so good.
I promise."

"Okay mom, I want to pay my tithing."

I wrapped my arms around my sweet boy.
Kissed his face...lots.
We found a tithing envelope, a slip, a pen.
I helped him write it out.
He sealed it up with a big, wet lick.
I put it in my scriptures, next to mine.

"On Sunday we'll go up together and give our tithing to the Bishop."


Sunday came.
He saw it in my scripture pouch when I was searching for my gloss.

"Mom, there's my tithing.
I can pay it today."

His smile was the story of his heart.

I taught him again.
quietly
I made sure he knew not to hold it up and show everyone.
Giving is best when its done without show.

The big hand was on the 2.
It was time.
We made our way up to the man on the stand.
The Bishop.
My BIG little boy handed his portion over to the Lord.
He gave the Bishop a solid hand.
Shook it hard.

"That's one good hand shake", he says.

Teaching Tithing?
A good way to mold a sweet boy,
into a sweet man,
and
put one big tear on a mother's cheek.

♥