• 1. My Heav’nly Father gives me 1. My Heav’nly Father gives me all good and lovely things:all good and lovely things:The sun that shines, the rain The sun that shines, the rain that falls, the meadowlark that that falls, the meadowlark that sings.sings.• 2. I’m glad to pay a tithing, 2. I’m glad to pay a tithing,

one-tenth of all I earn;one-tenth of all I earn;It’s little when I think of all God It’s little when I think of all God gives me in return.gives me in return.

• Words and music: Ruth Benson Lehenbauer, b. 1933. © 1969 IRIWords and music: Ruth Benson Lehenbauer, b. 1933. © 1969 IRIEnrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #5#5

MALACHI MALACHI TEACHES TEACHES ABOUT ABOUT TITHES TITHES AND AND OFFERINGOFFERINGSS““Lesson 44: Malachi Teaches about Lesson 44: Malachi Teaches about Tithes and Offerings,” Primary 6: Old Tithes and Offerings,” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996),196Testament, (1996),196

• There is a key hidden somewhere There is a key hidden somewhere in the room that will open the in the room that will open the box. Quietly look for the key.box. Quietly look for the key.• When it is found, read aloud the When it is found, read aloud the word on it.word on it.

• This box has a This box has a lock on it and lock on it and contains contains something something important. important.

faith

• For now, we’ll leave the key by the For now, we’ll leave the key by the box. box. • Later in the lesson we will use the key Later in the lesson we will use the key to open the box and discover what to open the box and discover what blessings are in store for us if we blessings are in store for us if we faithfully pay our tithes and offerings.faithfully pay our tithes and offerings.

• The scriptures tell The scriptures tell us if we obey the us if we obey the law of tithing we law of tithing we will receive great will receive great blessings. blessings. fait

h

• Little is known of the life of Little is known of the life of Malachi except for what is Malachi except for what is written in the scriptures. written in the scriptures. • The book of Malachi is the last The book of Malachi is the last

book in the Old Testament.book in the Old Testament.• Malachi was alive Malachi was alive

during the same time during the same time period as the prophet period as the prophet Nehemiah whom we Nehemiah whom we learned about learned about previously. previously.

• Nehemiah was the Nehemiah was the prophet who prophet who brought many of brought many of the Jews released the Jews released from captivity back from captivity back to Jerusalem.to Jerusalem.• Nehemiah told the Nehemiah told the

people God would people God would help them while help them while they rebuilt the they rebuilt the temple and city temple and city walls.walls.

• Malachi was a prophet Malachi was a prophet who lived near who lived near Jerusalem about 430 Jerusalem about 430 years before Jesus years before Jesus Christ was born and Christ was born and about 170 years after about 170 years after Lehi and his people left Lehi and his people left Jerusalem. Jerusalem. • This was a time during This was a time during

which God’s people and which God’s people and even the priests who even the priests who served at the temple served at the temple were not righteous.were not righteous.

• Malachi Malachi warned the warned the people to pay people to pay their tithing.their tithing.

• Malachi prophesied of many things.Malachi prophesied of many things.• Some of the things he prophesied of Some of the things he prophesied of

were John the Baptist, the second were John the Baptist, the second coming of Jesus Christ, the return of coming of Jesus Christ, the return of Elijah and the law of tithing. Elijah and the law of tithing.

• Only spotless and perfect Only spotless and perfect sacrifices were acceptable.sacrifices were acceptable.

• The offerings and The offerings and sacrifices made by sacrifices made by the servants of the the servants of the Lord represented Lord represented the coming the coming atonement and atonement and sacrifice of the sacrifice of the Savior.Savior.

• The priests of Malachi’s day were The priests of Malachi’s day were offering sacrifices to the Lord offering sacrifices to the Lord with sick, blind, and lame animals with sick, blind, and lame animals and calling them acceptable. and calling them acceptable.

• They had no They had no reverence for what reverence for what they were doing.they were doing.

• Malachi taught the priests Malachi taught the priests that a faithful priesthood that a faithful priesthood bearer is a sincere worshiper. bearer is a sincere worshiper.

• Malachi taught the priests that a Malachi taught the priests that a faithful priesthood bearer acts as if faithful priesthood bearer acts as if he were in the Lord’s presence he were in the Lord’s presence when upon the Lord’s errand. when upon the Lord’s errand. • He is honest in all his dealings with He is honest in all his dealings with

others, and his speech is dignified others, and his speech is dignified and appropriate. and appropriate. • He walks with the Lord with He walks with the Lord with

confidence and assurance and is confidence and assurance and is comfortable in his role of blessing comfortable in his role of blessing others and leading them into a others and leading them into a better way of life.better way of life.

• As a result of the failure of the As a result of the failure of the priests to judge and lead in priests to judge and lead in righteousness, the people had righteousness, the people had fallen once again into serious sin.fallen once again into serious sin.

• However, they were giving However, they were giving blind and sick animals and blind and sick animals and polluted bread as tithing. polluted bread as tithing.

• The people paid The people paid tithing by giving tithing by giving one-tenth of their one-tenth of their crops or animals. crops or animals.

• Malachi warned them they were Malachi warned them they were robbing Heavenly Father of sincere robbing Heavenly Father of sincere tithes and offerings. tithes and offerings.

• He told the people He told the people that if they would that if they would return to following return to following the Lord that the the Lord that the Lord would return Lord would return to them. to them.

• He told them they would be He told them they would be blessed for their righteousness. blessed for their righteousness. He warned them they would be He warned them they would be punished if they did not repent. punished if they did not repent.

• The Savior told the Nephites that The Savior told the Nephites that what Malachi had said about paying what Malachi had said about paying tithing was so important that they tithing was so important that they must write his words in their own must write his words in their own records, which we now have in the records, which we now have in the Book of Mormon. Book of Mormon.

• The Savior The Savior quoted all of quoted all of Malachi Malachi chapter 3 and chapter 3 and 4 to the 4 to the Nephites.Nephites.

• What did Malachi say the Lord would What did Malachi say the Lord would do if the people would “return unto do if the people would “return unto [Him]”? [Him]”?

• Let’s read Malachi 3:7Let’s read Malachi 3:7• What does the phrase “return unto What does the phrase “return unto

me, and I will return unto you” mean?me, and I will return unto you” mean?• What did the Lord tell the people to What did the Lord tell the people to

do to repent and “return unto me”? do to repent and “return unto me”? • Let’s read Malachi 3:8–10Let’s read Malachi 3:8–10

• If we repent of wrongdoing, how does If we repent of wrongdoing, how does the Lord “return unto [us]”?the Lord “return unto [us]”?

• How did the Lord say the people How did the Lord say the people had robbed him? had robbed him? • Why is not paying tithing, or Why is not paying tithing, or

paying tithing grudgingly, robbing paying tithing grudgingly, robbing God? God? • How much of what we have has How much of what we have has

the Lord given us? the Lord given us? • How much of what we have are How much of what we have are

we asked to give back to the Lord? we asked to give back to the Lord? • Let’s read D&C 119:3–4Let’s read D&C 119:3–4

Elder LeGrand Richards said: Elder LeGrand Richards said:

““God introduced the God introduced the principle of sacrifice in principle of sacrifice in order that his servants and order that his servants and his children might be his children might be tested, that they should tested, that they should bring the best of their lands bring the best of their lands and of their herds. . . . and of their herds. . . . ““They were burned upon the altar They were burned upon the altar of sacrifice; but the giving of sacrifice; but the giving sanctified the souls of those who sanctified the souls of those who gave. . . .”gave. . . .”

• Everything we have and use comes Everything we have and use comes from Heavenly Father and Jesus from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Christ. • Someone else may make our clothes Someone else may make our clothes

or build our homes or package our or build our homes or package our food, all these things come from the food, all these things come from the animals, plants, and minerals placed animals, plants, and minerals placed on this earth during the Creation. on this earth during the Creation.

• One-tenth of what we One-tenth of what we have is not much to have is not much to give back to the Lord.give back to the Lord.

• How is How is tithing tithing money used? money used? • How does How does this money this money bless our bless our lives? lives?

• How are fast offerings used? How are fast offerings used? • To provide food, clothing, and To provide food, clothing, and

shelter for the poor and needy.shelter for the poor and needy.• What other offerings can we give to What other offerings can we give to

the Lord? the Lord? • We can pay into the ward or We can pay into the ward or

general missionary fund, we can general missionary fund, we can contribute to the Book of Mormon contribute to the Book of Mormon fund, we can contribute to a temple fund, we can contribute to a temple if one is being built in our area, we if one is being built in our area, we can give of our time by serving can give of our time by serving others in our neighborhoods, and others in our neighborhoods, and so on.so on.

• I need three volunteers.I need three volunteers.• Each of you may take out a slip of Each of you may take out a slip of

paper from the box and look up the paper from the box and look up the references.references.• These scriptures tell us about the These scriptures tell us about the

blessings we are promised if we pay blessings we are promised if we pay our offerings and an honest tithe.our offerings and an honest tithe.

faith

• What do you think it means when What do you think it means when the Lord promises those who are the Lord promises those who are honest in their tithes and honest in their tithes and offerings that he will “open you offerings that he will “open you the windows of heaven, and pour the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to shall not be room enough to receive it”? receive it”? • What other What other

blessings are blessings are promised? promised?

• How does paying tithing protect us How does paying tithing protect us from the powers of Satan? from the powers of Satan? • As we make sacrifices for the Lord, As we make sacrifices for the Lord,

we draw closer to him and are we draw closer to him and are therefore less influenced by the therefore less influenced by the power of Satan.power of Satan.• Let’s read D&C 64:23–24 Let’s read D&C 64:23–24 • What promise about the last days What promise about the last days

does the Lord make to those who does the Lord make to those who faithfully pay their tithes and faithfully pay their tithes and offerings?offerings?

• Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:9 Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:9 • How does paying our tithing How does paying our tithing

show that we love the Lord? show that we love the Lord? • Why do you think we cannot Why do you think we cannot

imagine some of the imagine some of the blessings the Lord has in blessings the Lord has in store for us if we are faithful? store for us if we are faithful? • When might these blessings When might these blessings

come? come?

• When blessings do not seem to be When blessings do not seem to be pouring out on us, what should we pouring out on us, what should we do? do? • Blessings often come in Blessings often come in

unexpected ways and may not be unexpected ways and may not be recognized at first. recognized at first. • Sometimes we must continue to Sometimes we must continue to

be faithful and wait until the time be faithful and wait until the time is right before we can receive is right before we can receive blessings or until we can blessings or until we can recognize blessings we have recognize blessings we have already received.already received.

• What is What is wrong with wrong with this this budget?budget?• If we pay If we pay tithes and tithes and offerings offerings last, there last, there may not be may not be enough enough money money left.left.

BUDGET

INCOME $10.00

SAVINGS 1.50

CANDY .50

GIFT FOR MOM 5.00

ENTERTAINMENT

2.00

TITHING 1.00

OFFERINGS

+ .50

TOTAL $11.50

• The first The first thing we thing we should do should do when we when we get get money is money is pay our pay our tithes tithes and and offerings. offerings.

BUDGET

INCOME $10.00

TITHING 1.00

OFFERINGS .50

SAVINGS

GIFT FOR MOM

CANDY

ENTERTAINMENT

TOTAL

• When we When we have made have made the Lord a the Lord a partner He partner He will help will help us have us have enough for enough for our needs our needs as we use as we use the rest of the rest of the money the money wisely.wisely.

BUDGET

INCOME $10.00

TITHING 1.00

OFFERINGS .50

SAVINGS

GIFT FOR MOM

CANDY

ENTERTAINMENT

TOTAL

• If we If we adjust the adjust the budget budget there is there is enough enough money for money for everythineverything on the g on the list.list.

BUDGET

INCOME $10.00

TITHING 1.00

OFFERINGS .50

SAVINGS 2.50

GIFT FOR MOM 3.50

CANDY .50

ENTERTAINMENT

+ 2.00

TOTAL $10.00

• I have a tithing and offerings I have a tithing and offerings envelope for each of you. envelope for each of you. • I’m going to give each of you I’m going to give each of you different amounts of “money” different amounts of “money” you have earned. you have earned.

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #1#1

• Fill out the tithing Fill out the tithing slip according to slip according to how much money how much money you received. you received.

• The Church uses the money The Church uses the money from fast offerings to help those from fast offerings to help those who are worthy and in need. who are worthy and in need. • How is money donated to the How is money donated to the

missionary fund used?missionary fund used?

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #1#1

• What other offerings What other offerings might be included in might be included in the “Other” category?the “Other” category?

• Where Where does the does the money money go after go after people people give give their their donationdonations to the s to the bishop? bishop? Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity

#1#1

• Let’s read 2 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 Corinthians 9:6–7

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #2#2

• How does it relate How does it relate to the way we pay to the way we pay our tithes and our tithes and offerings?offerings?

Smile for the following sentences that Smile for the following sentences that represent a cheerful giver and frown for represent a cheerful giver and frown for those that represent giving grudgingly:those that represent giving grudgingly:•a. I feel good when I pay an honest a. I feel good when I pay an honest tithe.tithe.•b. I know if I do not pay my tithing, my b. I know if I do not pay my tithing, my parents will be angry with me.parents will be angry with me.

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #3#3

• c. I feel blessed to have enough c. I feel blessed to have enough food to eat, so I am willing to fast. I food to eat, so I am willing to fast. I know the money my parents pay as know the money my parents pay as fast offerings will help the poor. I fast offerings will help the poor. I want everyone to have enough to want everyone to have enough to eat.eat.• d. Just think of all the toys I could d. Just think of all the toys I could

buy with my tithing money.buy with my tithing money.Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #3#3

• e. The Lord has given me so many e. The Lord has given me so many blessings; I want to pay an honest blessings; I want to pay an honest tithe to show my gratitude.tithe to show my gratitude.• f. The Lord has commanded us to f. The Lord has commanded us to

pay 10 percent for tithing, so why pay 10 percent for tithing, so why does he ask us to give more for does he ask us to give more for other things? My tithing should be other things? My tithing should be enough.enough. Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity

#3#3

• g. The Lord wants the gospel g. The Lord wants the gospel preached to everyone on the preached to everyone on the earth, and I want to do my earth, and I want to do my part in helping the part in helping the missionaries do this.missionaries do this.

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #3#3

The following story is by The following story is by Elder Dallin H. Oaks:Elder Dallin H. Oaks:•““During World War II, my During World War II, my widowed mother widowed mother supported her three young supported her three young children on a children on a schoolteacher’s salary schoolteacher’s salary that was meager. When I that was meager. When I became conscious that we became conscious that we went without some went without some desirable things because desirable things because we didn’t have enough we didn’t have enough money, I asked my mother money, I asked my mother why she paid so much of why she paid so much of her salary as tithing. her salary as tithing.

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #4#4

Enrichment Activity Enrichment Activity #4#4

• ““I have never forgotten her I have never forgotten her explanation: ‘Dallin, there might be explanation: ‘Dallin, there might be some people who can get along some people who can get along without paying tithing, but we can’t. without paying tithing, but we can’t. • The Lord has chosen to take your The Lord has chosen to take your

father and leave me to raise you father and leave me to raise you children. I cannot do that without children. I cannot do that without the blessings of the Lord, and I the blessings of the Lord, and I obtain those blessings by paying an obtain those blessings by paying an honest tithing. When I pay my honest tithing. When I pay my tithing, I have the Lord’s promise tithing, I have the Lord’s promise that he will bless us, and we must that he will bless us, and we must have those blessings if we are to get have those blessings if we are to get along’ ” along’ ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, pp. 43–44; or Ensign, May (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, pp. 43–44; or Ensign, May 1994, p. 33).1994, p. 33).

• I have a testimony of the I have a testimony of the importance of paying tithes importance of paying tithes and offerings. I have been and offerings. I have been blessed by obeying this blessed by obeying this commandment. commandment. • I challenge each of you to I challenge each of you to

exercise your faith by paying exercise your faith by paying your tithes and offerings.your tithes and offerings.

• Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain. The hymn and images were in the public domain. The hymn and lesson are from lds.org. The story of Malachi is taken lesson are from lds.org. The story of Malachi is taken from lds.org. from lds.org.

• ““Book of Mormon Story: The Savior, Malachi, the Book of Mormon Story: The Savior, Malachi, the Nephites, and Us,” Friend, Nov 1996, 48Nephites, and Us,” Friend, Nov 1996, 48

• http://institute.lds.org/manuals/old-testament-http://institute.lds.org/manuals/old-testament-institute-student-manual-2/ot-in2-10-zec-end-34.aspinstitute-student-manual-2/ot-in2-10-zec-end-34.asp

• Please do not use this presentation for commercial Please do not use this presentation for commercial use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference.church or home to suit personal preference.

• This presentation is intended to supplement, not This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other should refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.