In my job as a design engineer, we often use mathematical models to help us understand difficult design problems. For example, if we want to make a product last longer, be more energy efficient, or even operate more quietly, there are mathematical models that we can use to better understand what can be changed in a design to achieve our goals. Unfortunately, sometimes we have a mathematical model that is incorrect and doesn’t match reality well enough. In these cases, following the model can lead to expensive design errors. Given this, every effort is made to verify and improve these models.
I think this same concept can be applied to commandments, callings, and church assignments. Tithing is a good example. If we were to create a mathematical model to help us decide if we should pay tithing, we may come up with a simple greater than, less than comparison. We could say that 90% of our income is less than 100%. Given that, we would conclude that paying tithing is not in our best interest. Many people use that model and as a result miss out on the blessings of paying tithing. It is an incorrect model because it is missing a variable. We are promised that if we pay our tithing, God will “open you the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
If we include that term in our model, it becomes: 90% of our income + more blessings than we have room for > 100% of our income. The missing variable in many people’s model of tithing makes all the difference in getting the answer correct.