Tithing—Putting God First

Overcome double-mindedness by putting God first

Elder Becerra begins by teaching that one of the great spiritual dilemmas is being double-minded—wavering between devotion to God and other priorities. He explains that putting God first helps disciples become steady, committed, and spiritually grounded.

What was this awful dilemma?

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

One way to overcome double-mindedness is to learn to put God first in our lives.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.

• Alma warned against an "awful dilemma" among the people.
• James helps define that dilemma as double-mindedness.
• Double-mindedness includes wavering, indecision, conflict, and lack of commitment.
• Jesus taught disciples to seek first the kingdom of God.
• Putting God first is a remedy for spiritual instability.

• When have you felt pulled between spiritual priorities and worldly concerns?
• What experience taught you the importance of choosing God first?
• Have you ever noticed greater peace after making a firm decision to obey a commandment?
• When has the Lord helped you move from hesitation to commitment?
• How have you seen spiritual stability come from simple obedience?

Follow the pattern of offering the firstlings to the Lord

Using the example of Adam and Eve, Elder Becerra teaches that from the beginning God has asked His children to place Him first. Offering the firstlings was a sign of obedience, worship, and faith in the Savior.

From the beginning of time, God has taught His children to put Him first in their lives.

The Lord commanded Adam and Eve to offer the firstlings of their flocks.

This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

In other words, He commanded them to put God first to avoid the spiritual dilemma of double-mindedness.

• God's pattern has always been to ask His children to put Him first.
• Adam and Eve were commanded to worship and offer firstlings.
• Adam obeyed even before fully understanding the reason.
• The sacrifice pointed to Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
• Offering firstlings teaches wholehearted devotion rather than divided loyalty.

• What commandment have you obeyed before fully understanding its blessings?
• When have you shown the Lord your trust by giving Him your "first" rather than your leftovers?
• How has worship or sacrifice helped you feel closer to Jesus Christ?
• What family example has taught you to honor God first?
• How could you explain the idea of "firstlings" in a modern, practical way?

Exercise faith to pay tithing first

Elder Becerra shares a personal story from his early married life when he fell behind on tithing and offerings. As he sought to put God first, he chose in faith to sell his car, paid his tithing, and saw the Lord provide a way forward.

I am having financial difficulties in my business. I have fallen behind in my payment of tithes and offerings.

The only thing I had of value was a car that I needed in my efforts to grow my business.

I want to be clear that Elder Cutler did not ask me to sell my car. This came to me after pondering and desiring to put God first.

I had calculated what I needed to pay off the loan on the car and pay my tithing.

It was a miracle!

• Elder Becerra faced real financial pressure and had fallen behind in tithing.
• A question from Elder Clinton L. Cutler led him to reflect on what he could offer.
• He chose on his own to sell his car as an act of faith and priority.
• The car sold for exactly the needed amount to pay the loan and his tithing.
• Afterward, the Lord provided another car through an unexpected opportunity.
• The experience taught him that putting God first requires faith and brings divine help.

• Have you ever obeyed a commandment when the timing felt financially difficult?
• When has a simple question or counsel prompted deep spiritual reflection for you?
• What sacrifice have you made to keep a commandment?
• Have you seen the Lord provide after you acted in faith?
• What personal story could you share about choosing obedience before seeing the outcome?

Trust the Lord to bless families who honor the law of tithing

Elder Becerra connects his own faith to his mother's testimony and to prophetic teaching from President Gordon B. Hinckley. He emphasizes that the law of tithing brings the Lord’s blessings even in hardship and helps lift people temporally and spiritually.

All we need to see is the very hand of Jehovah Himself to have any greater assurance that He is blessing us by our payment of tithing.

I believe they will not walk out of poverty unless they pay their tithing.

Now is the season in which to establish strength in the gospel, and that involves the payment of tithing.

It is obedience to the commandment of the Lord that really matters.

• His mother's testimony gave him confidence in the law of tithing.
• His family's immigrant experience included financial setbacks and hardship.
• Her testimony recognized the Lord's hand in their lives through obedience.
• President Hinckley taught that tithing matters even in poverty and difficult circumstances.
• The principle applies to both temporal needs and spiritual growth.
• Obedience is central, regardless of current financial conditions.

• What testimony of tithing did you learn from parents, leaders, or other faithful examples?
• How have you seen the Lord sustain your family during financial hardship?
• When have you recognized the hand of the Lord in your temporal blessings?
• How has obedience brought strength during a season of uncertainty?
• What family story could help others feel hope and faith in the law of tithing?

Receive spiritual power through obedience and sacrifice

A major theme of the talk is that tithing blesses more than finances. Elder Becerra teaches that as we offer our firstlings and obey the Lord, our spiritual capacity increases and we receive power, direction, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

I am certain that the payment of tithes and offerings will enhance our spiritual capacity as we put God first and offer our "firstlings of [the] flock."

I witness that a spiritual power and direction, heretofore unknown, will come into our lives as we keep the law of obedience and sacrifice.

And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam.

• Tithing strengthens spiritual capacity, not just temporal circumstances.
• Putting God first invites greater spiritual power and direction.
• Obedience and sacrifice are connected to revelation and divine help.
• Adam's experience shows that after sacrifice came the influence of the Holy Ghost.
• The blessings of tithing include increased spiritual sensitivity.

• When has obedience opened the door to greater spiritual clarity in your life?
• Have you ever felt increased guidance after making a sacrifice for the Lord?
• How has paying tithing affected your faith, peace, or sensitivity to the Spirit?
• What experience taught you that sacrifice can bring spiritual strength?
• When have you felt the Holy Ghost more fully after acting in obedience?

Look for heavenly light through the windows of heaven

Quoting Elder David A. Bednar and Malachi, Elder Becerra teaches that the blessings of tithing include spiritual illumination and perspective. The windows of heaven are not only about material blessings but also about light entering our lives.

The imagery of the "windows" of heaven used by Malachi is most instructive.

Windows allow natural light to enter into a building.

In like manner, spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing.

• Malachi's promise includes more than material abundance.
• Elder Bednar explains that windows symbolize light entering our lives.
• Tithing opens us to spiritual illumination and perspective.
• Honoring the law of tithing helps us see life more clearly through gospel light.

• When has the Lord given you unexpected clarity or perspective after an act of obedience?
• How have you experienced the "windows of heaven" in a spiritual way?
• What example could you share of light coming into a dark or confusing situation?
• How has tithing helped you see your life differently?
• What blessings have come that were not financial but were deeply meaningful?

Follow Jesus Christ in complete submission to the Father

Elder Becerra concludes by testifying that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of putting God first. The Savior’s willing submission to the Father’s will is the ultimate model for discipleship, sacrifice, and obedience.

I witness that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of how to put God first in our lives.

I witness that He laid down His life as a symbol of complete submission to His Father’s will.

He is the Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of us all.

• Jesus Christ perfectly demonstrated putting God first.
• His life and sacrifice showed complete submission to the Father's will.
• All gospel obedience, including tithing, points us toward becoming like Him.
• The talk ends with a witness of Christ and His living reality.

• How has the Savior’s example helped you obey when sacrifice was required?
• What experience has deepened your desire to submit your will to the Father?
• How can you connect the principle of tithing to discipleship in Jesus Christ?
• When have you felt closer to the Savior through obedience?
• What testimony of Jesus Christ could you share to conclude your talk powerfully?