We often use the word sacrifice to mean that we are giving something up for another person or for a higher purpose. For example, I sacrificed the last $5 in my wallet in order to buy lunch for a friend who forgot theirs. In this case, we gave up our last $5 for someone else’s benefit. We didn’t receive anything in return except the good feeling that comes from helping a friend and possibly a thank you.
This is an accurate definition of sacrifice, but not the only one. Another definition of sacrifice is derived from the Latin root of the word. The word sacrifice is derived from two words, sacer and facere, together these mean “to make sacred.”
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I believe in a commandment known as the Law of Tithing. This is a commandment taught both in the Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon in which we pay 10% of our income to the church. These funds are used to support the church and its mission. Our church does not have any paid ministry so all of the leaders in our church donate (or sacrifice) their time. The tithing funds are used for a variety of other purposes such as building new churches, maintaining existing churches, administration of church programs, and building and maintaining temples.
When we first learn about the Law of Tithing, we sacrifice with faith to keep that commandment. When we first learn about this commandment, it often takes great effort, faith and sacrifice to donate 10% of our income to the church. At that time, we give up this significant portion of our income to keep a commandment with faith and hope that it is the right thing to do. At times, this may include paying it even though it appears that we may not be able to meet all of our financial obligations without that 10% available to apply toward expenses.
After living this commandment for some time with faith, it becomes clear that when we obey this commandment that the windows of heaven truly are opened and blessings are rained down upon us. (Malachi 3:10). At some point, what originally felt like “giving something up” actually becomes a joy both for the sake of the peace that comes through keeping the commandments as well as the spiritual and financial blessings that are received. When we reach this point, paying our tithing no longer feels like a “sacrifice” anymore. Instead it feels like a privilege. It does not feel like “giving something up” but rather feels like a sound investment with significant returns.
In the April 1998 General Conference, Elder Ronald E. Poelman gave an address entitled, “Tithing: A Privilege.” In this talk he refers to this idea that a sacrifice is not always “giving something up” but sometimes can be regarded as a privilege.
“May tithing be regarded as a sacrifice? Yes, particularly if we understand the meaning of the two Latin words from which the English word sacrifice is derived. These two words, sacer and facere, taken together mean “to make sacred.” That which we return to the Lord as tithing is indeed made sacred, and the obedient are edified.” - Elder Ronald E. Poelman
With this definition of sacrifice – to make sacred – we can see that when we pay our tithing we truly sacrifice. Even if we have learned through experience of the many blessings and the peace that comes from paying our tithing, we can still consider that both we as individuals and the funds donated are both “made sacred” through this act of obedience to the commandment.
I know that as we keep commandments, in the beginning our sacrifice is “giving something up” but as we continue to the keep the commandment in faith we will often find that our sacrifice is truly making ourselves and our offering sacred.
Sources:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/tithing-a-privilege?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1998/10/the-law-of-sacrifice?lang=eng
