Happiness Comes from Sticking to Your Principles

I was browsing the forums at one of my favorite money sites and I ran across this post, which I've been thinking about quite a bit. The ten percent tithing payment in the budget caught my eye. I don't know if he's Mormon or not, but the reader who submitted the post at least has a similar set of values.

The reason that I've been thinking about the post is that several commenters suggested that he reduce or eliminate his tithing payments. A favorite argument of this crowd is that you don't pay while you're young, and then when you're a little older and more financially secure you can give ten percent or even more to the church. God wouldn't want you to put your family in danger or struggle financially because paying tithing is hard, right?

Here's the problem I have with that philosophy: money is just a tool. It's pretty good for buying a blender or something like that. It's excellent for buying time and freedom, but it's garbage at buying self-respect and principles. More money can increase your happiness and satisfaction to a point, but if you compromise your beliefs in order to get there, then you'll lose more than you gain every time.

How many of us still remember stupid things we did wrong from long ago? A test you cheated on, a lie you told, a small item you stole, a friend you betrayed... Those things stay with you.

I will freely admit that I love talking about money and I love the way it works. I hope every dollar I get acts like a polygamist and makes a whole lot more dollars. But I refuse to compromise on things that I believe God has commanded me to do. So if anyone ever asks for my advice with a budget, I will put tithing right at the top, where it belongs.

Tithing

No financial principle more distinctly sets Mormons apart from the rest of the world than tithing. While many other churches encourage donations as the members of the congregation feel inclined to do so, Mormons donate a set percentage of their income. The law is simple: pay 10% of the money you make to the church. I consider this to be the cornerstone of financial success. We are promised to have the windows of heaven opened to us if we pay tithing. Why would you try and build your net worth without that kind of wind in your sails? Even more importantly, "It profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world ... but for Wales?"

Tithing is simple. Tithing is easy. Tithing is effective. There are plenty of arguments for it and stories about how things work out when you pay your tithing. I have my own share of those stories, and I imagine that many of the people who read this will have similar experiences. This post doesn't need to be long because not much needs to be said about tithing. Pay it promptly and strictly honestly and you will always have what you need.