At this time of year when it is time to make an account to the bishop about our tithing contributions, I am reminded of different schemes I have encountered in paying tithing.
1. Don't pay tithing, it is too expensive.
2. Take out a loan at the end of the year so you can be a full tithe payer.
3. Keep your tithing in your account till the end of the year and then pay it all at once.
4. Pay tithing as you make your money.
With the first option you miss out on all the blessings that come from paying an honest tithe.
When we worked at BYU you could actually take out a loan at the credit union at the end of the year to pay tithing if you were lacking behind. Somehow it seems misguided to borrow money to pay The Lord when He councils us not to go in to debt.
I actually tried the 3rd option once. I wrote out my check each month and subtracted the amount from my check balance. My plan was that I would make the interest on my tithing money for the year and then pay it all at once at the end of the year. Guess what? It doesn't work. Fortunately I realized part way into the year that somehow the money I had allocated to tithing had disappeared from my account. I think the lesson to be learned here is that our tithing money is not ours to invest or use in other ways. That money belongs to The Lord. Also do we really want to wait till the end of the year to get the blessings that come from paying tithing?
After my one try at option 3 I decided there was only really one way to pay tithing and that is to pay it as you make your money. That way you don't get behind, and you are eligible to receive God's blessings all year long.
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