Fast Offerings

When I got married, my husband was in school with the aim to be a professor, and I anticipated a steady income and middle-class lifestyle. But he changed his mind a few years into his schooling and chose the entrepreneurial path. We have been on the financial roller coaster most of our married life. About ten years ago, a speaker in Sacrament Meeting shared a quote from one of the latter-day prophets, and the Holy Ghost took those words deep into both our hearts. I remember looking at my husband and realizing he felt the same witness I did. The quote promised that those who faithfully doubled their fast offerings, on top of tithing, would see their income doubled. We were living on about $1700 a month and paying $25 in fast offerings. We doubled it. A few months later, we doubled it again. My husband had more paying projects come his way, and about 18 months after that Sacrament Meeting, we were paying $200 per month in fast offering, and our income was up to $5,000 per month. We were able to buy a home, which has been a lifesaver in subsequent months that have again been financially difficult. While our income has dropped (currently around $3,800 each month), our lives are good. We still have our home, five healthy children, a wonderful ward and neighborhood, a strong marriage, and my husband is doing work that is meaningful with people he loves. I feel very blessed in our current position. While I would love a higher income that would let us be completely debt free, the income of blessings has been great. The Lord certainly pours out blessings on those who pay tithes and offerings.

Blog admin note:  I can not find a general authority saying that when you double your fast offerings your income will double.  If anyone can find that specific quote, please leave a comment.  I did find one that said Marion G Romney promised a double in spirituality in the church.  I did find MANY quotes about being blessed by increasing our fast offerings and many testimonies about their own experiences.  Here is one I found that I liked.  LDS.org - "We Doubled our Fast Offering"