A) TITHE PAYING.

B) ADDITIONAL TO THE TITHE.

C) WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHERE WE SEND OUR TITHE.

 

 

A) TITHE PAYING

 

 

“The Tithe is to be used for one purpose -- to sustain the ministers whom the Lord has anointed to do His work.”  2PRC:204; 6RH:372; 1MR:188; 7MR:135.

 

“Light has been plainly given that those who minister in our schools, teaching the Word of God, explaining the Scriptures, educating the students in the things of God, should be supported by the Tithe money.”  6T:215.

 

“[136] Still others would reason the canvassers and colporteurs should be supported from the Tithe.  But a great mistake is made when the Tithe is drawn from the object for which it is to be used -- the support of the ministers. . . [137] The widows of these ministers are never to be forgotten, but should if necessary be paid from the Tithe.”  7MR:136-137; 9T:249: 9T:250; 7MR:138; 1MR:184 & 193.

 

“If all would pay a faithful Tithe, and devote to the Lord the first-fruits of their mercies, there would be a full supply of funds for His work.”  Banner, February 1, 1905 [2PRC:193]; AU Gleaner, December 14, 1904; SpTA09:68; PH166:6.

 

“God graciously entrusts His stewards with His treasures, but He lays His hand upon the tenth, saying, ‘This is Mine.’  Just in proportion as God has given His property to man, so man is to pay a faithful Tithe of all his substance.  This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself.”  Banner, January 18, 1905 [2PRC:192]; SpTA09:67; PH166:5.

 

“[1] From that which has been shown me, the Tithe is not to be withdrawn from the treasury.  Every penny of this money is the Lord’s Own sacred treasure, to be appropriated for a special use. . . [2] The light which the Lord has given me on this subject is that the means in the treasury for the support of the ministers in the different fields is not to be used for any other purpose.”  PH157:1-2 (Taken from a Letter from Corranbong, N.S.W., March 14, 1897).

 

“But the Tithing system did not originate with the Hebrews.  From the earliest times the Lord claimed a Tithe as His, and this claim was recognized and honored.  Abraham paid Tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God {see Genesis, Chapter 14}.”  PP:525.

 

“The Tithe is to be used for one purpose -- to sustain the ministers whom the Lord has appointed to do His work.  It is to be used to support those who speak the Words of Life to the people, and carry the burden of the flock of God.”  PUR:239.

 

“As to the amount required God had specified one-tenth of the increase.  This is left to the conscience and benevolence of men, whose judgment in this Tithing system should have free play.  And while it is left free to the conscience, a plan has been laid out definite enough for all.  No compulsion is required.  God called for men in the Mosaic dispensation to give the tenth of all their increase.  He committed to their trust the things of this life, talents to be improved and returned to Him again.  He has required a tenth, and this He claims as the very least that man should return to Him.  He says, I give you nine-tenths, while I require one-tenth; that is Mine.  When men withhold the one-tenth they rob God. . . But when they robbed God in Tithes and in offerings, they were made to realize that they were not only robbing Him, but themselves; for God limited His blessings to them, just in proportion as they limited their offerings to Him.”  RH, August 25, 1874; 3T:394.

 

“The Tithing system was no burden to those who did not depart from the plan.  The system enjoined upon the Hebrews has not been repealed or relaxed by the One Who originated this plan.  Far from its being of no force now, it was to be more fully carried out, and more extended, as salvation through Christ alone should be more fully brought to light in the Christian age.”  RH, August 25, 1874.

 

“The angel of God places benevolent acts close beside prayer.  He said to Cornelius, ‘Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.’ ”  RH, December 15, 1874.

 

“The special system of Tithing was founded upon a principle which was as enduring as the Law of God.  This system of Tithing was a blessing to the Jews, else God would not have given it them.  So also will it be a blessing to those who carry it out to the end of time.  Our Heavenly Father did not originate the plan of systematic benevolence to enrich Himself, but to be a great blessing to man.  He saw that this system of beneficence was just what man needed.”  RH, December 15, 1874.

 

“They must learn that the Tithing system is binding upon God’s people in these last days as truly as it was upon ancient Israel.”  RH, December 12, 1878; GW:92:98.

 

“The Tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses.  Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes, before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam.  In complying with God’s Requirements they were to manifest in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them.  This was continued through successive generations, and was carried out by Abraham, who gave Tithes to Melchisedek, the priest of the Most High God.  The same principle existed in the days of Job.”  ST, April 29, 1875; 1BC:1093. 

 

 

B) ADDITIONAL TO THE TITHE

 

 

“The plan of Systematic Benevolence is pleasing to God.  I was pointed back to the days of the Apostles, and saw that God laid the plan by the descent of His Holy Spirit, and by the gift of prophecy counseled His people in regard to a system of benevolence.  All were to share in this work of imparting of their carnal things to those who ministered unto them in spiritual things.  They were also taught that the widows and fatherless had a claim upon their charity.  Pure and undefiled religion is defined, to visit the widows and fatherless in their affliction, and to keep unspotted from the world.  I saw it was not merely to sympathize with them in their affliction by comforting words, but to aid them, if needy, with their substance.”  2SG:230.1.

 

“The Lord has given His people a message for this time.  It is presented in the Third Chapter of Malachi.  How could the Lord present His requirements in a clearer or more forcible manner than He has done in this Chapter?  All should remember that God’s claims upon us underlie every other claim.  He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which He has made with man is that a tenth of his possessions shall be returned to God.  The Lord graciously entrusts to His stewards His treasures, but of the tenth He says:  This is Mine.  Just in proportion as God has given His property to man, so man is to return to God a faithful Tithe of all his substance.  This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself. . . Besides the Tithe the Lord demands the first fruits of all our increase.  These He has reserved in order that His work in the earth may be amply sustained.”  6T:384.

 

“[74] Voluntary offerings and the Tithe constitute the revenue of the Lord’s work.  Of the means entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion, -- the tenth.  He leaves all free to say whether or not they will give more than this. . . It is God who blesses men with property, and He does this that they may be able to give toward the advancement of His cause. . . [75] In turn, He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion in Tithes and offerings, -- in thank-offerings, in freewill-offerings, in trespass-offerings.”  AA:74-75.

 

“The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one-fourth of their income.”  PP:527.

 

“God asks not only the Tithe, but says we are to come to Him with Tithes and offerings.”  PUR, October 24, 1901; PUR, October 13, 1904. 

 

“Sin offerings, peace offerings, and thank offerings, were also required in addition to the tenth of the increase.  All that is withheld of the tenth which God claims of the increase is recorded in the Books of Heaven as robbery against God.  Such defraud their Creator, and when this sin of neglect shall be brought before them, it is not enough to change their course and begin to work from that time upon the right principle. . . God required of his ancient people three yearly gatherings.  ‘Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty.  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.’  No less than one-third of their income was devoted for sacred and religious purposes.”  RH, August 25, 1874.

 

“The Lord requires us to give liberally for the support of His cause.  Should we compare our offerings with those which were constantly required of the Jews, we would find that we fall far below them in beneficence.  Their contributions amounted to fully one-fourth of their entire income. . . We are not to consecrate to him what may remain after all our imaginary wants have been satisfied; but before supplying our own needs, we should present to him the portion which he has specified.  And in addition to all this, the thank-offering is of perpetual obligation.”  RH, January 4, 1881.

 

“We should not look upon the Tithe as the limit of our liberality.”  RH, February 9, 1886; ST, January 21, 1886.

 

“He claims as His just due a tenth of their income, be it large or small; and those who withhold this, commit robbery toward Him, and cannot expect His prospering hand to be with them. . . They should not look upon the Tithe as the limit of their liberality.”  RH, August 24, 1886; GW:222; GW92:270.

 

“The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes, amounted to fully one-fourth of their income.  So heavy a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity.”  RH, September 10, 1889; PP:527.

 

 

C) WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHERE WE SEND OUR TITHE

 

 

“The Lord instructed Moses, for Israel, ‘Thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.’  Ex. 27:20.  This was to be a continual offering that the House of God might be properly supplied with that which was necessary for His service.  His people today are to remember that the House of worship is the Lord’s property, and that it is to be scrupulously cared for.  But the funds for this work are not to come from the Tithe.”  CS:102; GW:226.

 

By contrast, what is the difference:  “Institutions that are God’s instruments to carry forward His work on the earth must be sustained.  Churches must be erected, schools established, and publishing houses furnished with facilities for doing a great work in the publication of the truth to be sent to all parts of the world.  These institutions are ordained of God and should be sustained by Tithes and liberal offerings.”  4T:464.

 

“Your gifts [read the context of the paragraph and you will see that she is talking about the Tithe] need not pass through any conference organization.”  GCDB, March 2, 1899; 2PRC:599.

 

“The Churches must arouse.  The members must awake out of sleep and begin to inquire, How is the money which we put into the treasury being used?  The Lord desires that a close search be made.  Are all satisfied with the history of the work for the past fifteen years?  [Written in 1900 A.D.].  Where is the evidence of the co-working with God?  Where has been heard throughout the Churches the prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit?  Dissatisfied and disheartened, we turn away from the scene.”  KC:120.

 

“If the Conference business is not managed according to the order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring ones.  The Lord will not hold you responsible for it, if you do what you can to correct the evil.  But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from God His own property.”  SpTA01b:27.

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