Leaders in the church will counsel many individuals to show their faith by paying a full tithe. Many times these part-tithe payers are having a hard time feeding their family, and find it difficult to exercise their faith in paying 10 percent to the church.
Another law in the gospel that requires financial sacrifice is the Law of the Fast. We are asked to fast at least once a month, and “combined with sincere prayer can strengthen us spiritually, bring us closer to God, and help us prepare ourselves and others to receive His blessings.” (index of topics)
So what about the fast offering? Is it an essential or required part of fasting? If we fail to pay a portion to this fund, does it nullify our fast all together?
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Elder L. Tom Perry said the following (in relation to this passage):
Like many other biblical practices, it was restored by the Lord in our day through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The law of the fast has three great purposes. First, it provides assistance to the needy through the contribution of fast offerings, consisting of the value of meals from which we abstain. Second, a fast is beneficial to us physically. Third, it is to increase humility and spirituality on the part of each individual.
An important reason for fasting is to contribute the amount saved from the meals not eaten to care for the poor and the needy. One of the strongest admonitions the Lord has given to His children on earth is that we have the responsibility and obligation of caring for those in need. It was King Benjamin who said in his great address,
“And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.” (Mosiah 4:26.)
Do we need to be reminded that included in our baptismal covenant is our pledge to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light, to mourn with those that mourn, and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort? (See Mosiah 18:8–9.)
As stated by Elder Perry, fasting has “three great purposes”:
- To provide for the needy through fast offerings
- To benefit us physically
- To increase humility and spirituality
If the first purpose is removed, are the other two possible? I assume you could go exercise instead and have that benefit you physically. What better way to increase humility and spirituality, than by participating in the Law of Sacrifice (by giving from what you have to the poor)?
As children, we are taught that fasting without a purpose is simply “going hungry”. Could this also be the case for the purpose of giving to the poor and needy? I wouldn’t suggest the Lord isn’t recognizing your humility and prayer if you don’t pay a fast offering. Prayer works and will always be heard by our Eternal Father, regardless of the stipulations.
I’m not sure if I have found the right answer for this question; so what do you think?
The short answer is that you can absolutely fast without paying a fast offering. I can say that unequivocally because to say otherwise would be to tell those receiving church assistance that they are incapable of truly fasting until they no longer need that assistance.
If we limit the discussion to those who have the ability to pay a fast offering then I would argue that while you can fast without paying a fast offering you will be leaving some blessings on the table or, as President Uchtdorf might put it, living below your privileges if you choose not to pay a fast offering as part of your fast.
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In providing counsel, counselor and counseled are done the biggest disservice when we resort to a dogmatic bit of instruction or a one-size-fits-all approach. So for that reason, that you haven't found a right answer is appropriate and welcome. Point 1: Is one truly accomplishing the purpose of a fast or receiving maximum benefits from a fast by not contributing an appropriate fast offering? No. Of course not. Point 2: Does everyone so struggling need to hear that spelled out to them? Also no. Of course not.
When encouraging people to step up their game and take their obedience to a principle to the next level, I think it is important to emphasize that Heavenly Father is pleased with our best efforts, and that he will always sustain and support us when we are ready to do more. The invitation is always there, but running the risk of discouraging someone by telling them that their fast might not count if they don't pay up doesn't seem worth it.
We must remember that missionaries (and many others) regularly fast without paying an offering. I believe the question had to do with fasting for the first Sunday "Fast Sunday." Our stake president often quotes his father who said "You can never out give the Lord, but you'd better die trying." I was fascinated by a friend's story of how each year they would up their offering in response to the prophet's (Pres. Kimball) counsel to give generously. These friends reported that they were better off each year the more they gave. I have attempted to live that way too. The more generous I am the more the Lord blesses us. We have NEVER known want by giving generously to the Lord's kingdom. We have known want by failing to heed the prophet's counsel to stay out of debt, but that is a story for another day.
Rozy, This is a great perspective.
Just to clarify, full-time missionaries are instructed in their handbook to contribute to fast offerings when fasting.
When fasting for Fast Sunday, but not every time they fast. We'd have gone broke! Actually, when I was a missionary our President instructed us to fast from things other than food and water when we wanted special blessings from the Lord. I served in the deep South and fasting from water was a sure way to dehydrate yourself and land in the hospital. (Which happened to me.) So we'd fast from reading our mail for a week or something like that. I really like your blog, keep up the good work.
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