From the Church website:

‘Elder Jorge T. Becerra was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 4, 2020. At the time of his call, he had been serving as an Area Seventy and a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He is currently serving as the South America Northwest Area President.

Elder Becerra has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the California Arcadia Mission, ward Young Men president, counselor in a mission presidency, counselor in a branch presidency, seminary teacher, counselor in a bishopric, bishop, stake president, and president of the California Arcadia Mission from 2011 to 2014.’

Elder Becerra taught that tithing is ultimately about discipleship and learning to put God first rather than becoming “double minded” or spiritually divided. Drawing on teachings from Alma, James, Adam and Eve, and his own life experience, Elder Becerra testified that obedience to the law of tithing invites spiritual power, direction, and greater faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasised that tithing is not merely financial—it is a spiritual act of trust and sacrifice.

Key Quotes

‘A double-minded person is one who is wavering, indecisive, or conflicted, someone who lacks commitment to a single purpose or belief. One way to overcome double-mindedness is to learn to put God first in our lives.’ (Paragraph 3)

‘From the beginning of time, God has taught His children to put Him first in their lives.’ (Paragraph 4)

‘Please notice that the Lord commanded Adam and Eve to offer the firstlings of their flocks. In other words, He commanded them to put God first to avoid the spiritual dilemma of double-mindedness.’ (Paragraph 7)

‘President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “I know that the people are in difficult circumstances. I know that many of them are unemployed. I know that many of them work for very meager wages. I know that they live in simple and inadequate little houses, the only thing they can afford. I believe they will not walk out of poverty unless they pay their tithing. … Now is the season in which to establish strength in the gospel, and that involves the payment of tithing. … It is obedience to the commandment of the Lord that really matters” (General Authority training meeting, Oct. 2, 2001).’ (Paragraph 23)

‘I witness that a spiritual power and direction, heretofore unknown, will come into our lives as we keep the law of obedience and sacrifice.’ (Paragraph 25)

‘I am certain that the payment of tithes and offerings will enhance our spiritual capacity as we put God first…’ (Paragraph 24)

Questions to discuss or ponder

How might double mindedness manifest itself in our lives today? (Paragraph 3)

How can we offer the ‘firstlings of our flocks’? (Paragraphs 4 and 7)

What lessons do you take from Elder Becerra’s story about tithing and his car (Paragraphs 8 to 20)

Why is tithing about more than money? (Paragraph 23)

How does the payment of tithes and offerings enhance our spiritual capacity? (Paragraph 24)

Why is it that blessings come after faith? (Paragraph 25)

Invitations and application

Prayerfully evaluate whether God is truly first in your priorities, decisions, and spending.
Pay a full and honest tithe with faith.
Look for spiritual blessings from obedience, not only temporal ones.

Additional Thoughts

‘With all the Lord gives to us, He has asked us to return to Him and His kingdom on earth 10 percent of our increase. He has promised us that as we are honest in our tithes, He will “open … the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” He has promised us that He will protect us from evil. These promises are so certain, the Lord declares, “Prove me now herewith,” a phrase found nowhere else in the scriptures but when quoting Malachi.
The windows of heaven open in many ways. Some are temporal, but many are spiritual. Some are subtle and easy to overlook. Trust in the Lord’s timing; the blessings always come.’ (Elder Neil L Andersen, October 2023)

‘The payment of tithing helps us develop a submissive and humble heart and a grateful heart that tends to “confess … his hand in all things”  D&C 59:21 Tithe-paying fosters in us a generous and forgiving heart and a charitable heart full of the pure love of Christ. We become eager to serve and bless others with an obedient heart, submissive to the Lord’s will. Regular tithe payers find their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ strengthened, and they develop a firm, abiding testimony of His gospel and of His Church. None of these blessings are monetary or material in any way, but surely they are the Lord’s richest blessings.’ (Carl B Pratt, General Conference, April 2011)

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You can watch Elder Becerra’s talk here.