Use of Tithe Study Commission

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Use of Tithe Study Commission

• Presented by G. Edward Reid, Director Stewardship
  Department North American
  Division

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Terms of Reference

• Review and analyze current practices and policies
  on the use of tithe, and identify the challenges
  arising from those practices and policies.
• Authority and Responsibility
• Power to act.

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Terms of Reference

• Restudy and research the biblical and Spirit of
  Prophecy materials on the use of tithe, including
  a review of previous documents and materials on
  the use of tithe.
• Authority and Responsibility
• Power to act.

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Terms of Reference

• Make recommendations, based on 1. and 2. above
  for any changes in policies and guidelines on the
  use of tithe.
• Authority and Responsibility
• Recommend to the General Conference Executive
  Committee through the General Conference
  Administrative Committee

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Membership

• Gerry D Karst, Chairman
• Pardon K Mwansa, Vice Chairman
• Robert E. Lemon, Secretary
• Steve G. Rose, Associate Secretary
• Jan Paulsen
• Matthew Bediako
• General Conference
• James Cress
• Garland Dulan
• Augustin Galicia
• Erika Puni
• G Edward Reid
• George Egwakhe

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Membership

• Theologians/Church Historians from
• BRI, AR, AU Seminary, EGW Estate,
• SAD EGW Estate
• Division Presidents - All 13
• Division Treasurers
• 5 including Juan Prestol
• All others are invitees
• Unions
• 2 Presidents
• 2 Treasurers
• Conferences
• 5 Presidents including Jay Galimore and Don
  Livesay
• 3 Treasurers
• Pastors - 4
• Institutions
• K-12 2
• Higher Education 2
• Lay Persons - 4

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What Does the Bible Really Say About
Tithing?
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• It is a simple as 1-2-3

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• The Gospel Principle

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• I am a sinner and subject to death.
• Rom. 323 For all have sinned and fall short
  of the glory of God.
• Rom. 623 For the wages of sin is death.

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• 2. By faith I understand that Jesus took my
  place.
• Rom. 58 While we were still sinners, Christ
  died for us.
• Isa. 535 He was wounded for our
  transgression.

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• Jesus has promised eternal life to those who
  believe.
• John 316 Whoever believes in Him should not
  perish but have everlasting life.
• Rom. 623 The gift of God is eternal life in
  Christ Jesus our Lord.

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• The Tithe Principle

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• The tithe is holy and belongs to God.
• Lev. 2730 All the tithe of the landis the
  Lords. It is holy to the Lord.

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• God asks me to return the tithe to the
  storehouse.
• Mal. 310 Bring all the tithes into the
  storehouse.
• Deut. 125, 6 But you shall seek the place
  where the Lord your God choosesThere you shall
  take your tithes.
• Num. 1821 I have given the children of Levi
  all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in
  exchange for the work which they perform, the
  work of the tabernacle of meeting.

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• God has promised blessings to those who obey.
• Deut. 281, 2 If you diligently obey the
  voice of the Lord your God, to observe
  carefully all His commandmentsall these
  blessings shall come on you and overtake you.
• Prov. 39, 10 Honor the Lord with your
  possessions, and with the firstfruits of all
  your increase so your barns will be filled with
  plenty, and your vats will overflow with new
  wine.
• Mal. 310 Prove me now in this says the Lord
  of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows
  of heaven and pour out for you such blessing
  that there will not be room enough to receive
  it.

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Tithing in the New Testament

• The New Testament does not reenact the law of
  the tithe, as it does not that of the Sabbath
  for the validity of both is assumed, and their
  deep spiritual import explained. . . . While we
  as a people are seeking faithfully to give to God
  the time which He has reserved as His own, shall
  we not also render to Him that portion of our
  means which He claims?
  CS 66

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Jesus Endorsed Tithing

• In Jesus lengthy condemnation of the Pharisees
  (Matthew 2313-36), He noted that they were
  meticulous about tithing even to the point of
  tithing small portions of herbs. He did not,
  however, criticize this practice but rather
  stated, These you ought to have done, without
  leaving the others undone (the weightier matters
  of justice, mercy, and faith) (vs. 23). It is
  clear from this passage that Jesus felt tithing
  was appropriate and right.

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• In Lukes account, Jesus has accepted the
  invitation of a Pharisee for dinner. The
  Pharisee noted that Jesus had not washed His
  hands before eating. Jesus responded that the
  Pharisees were clean on the outside but on the
  inside were very wicked. Then Jesus gave a
  series of woes on the Pharisees. In one He
  stated, But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe
  mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by
  justice and the love of God. Then He added,
  These you ought to have done, without leaving
  the others undone (Luke 1142). It is
  interesting that in Jesus litany of woes on the
  Pharisees He commended them for their tithing.
  Jesus never rejected tithing, but rather
  condemned its misuse.

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Pauls Support of Tithing

• Paul does not mention tithing in his epistles.
  However, he addressed the issue of providing for
  those who preach the gospel in an obvious
  reference to the Old Testament practice as
  outlined by God in Numbers 1821. Paul stated,
  Do you not know that those who minister the holy
  things eat of the things of the temple, and those
  who serve at the altar partake of the offerings
  of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded
  that those who preach the gospel should live from
  the gospel (1 Corinthians 913,14). He also
  asks in Romans 1015, How shall they preach
  unless they are sent? There must be some
  mechanism for the support of the ministry.

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• Paul was obviously referring to the Old
  Testament tithing system. He drew a parallel
  between priests and Levites and those who were
  proclaiming the gospel. The point he argued is
  that the gospel workers should be provided with
  their living in the same way as was done in the
  priestly system. What was particularly important
  was that this was described as a direct command
  to the church from the Lord Himself. Thus, Paul
  implicitly endorsed Christian tithing.

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The First and the Last

• It is interesting to note that in the Bibles
  first mention of tithing we find Abram giving his
  tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most
  High (Genesis 1418-20). And the last mention
  of tithing in the Bible in Hebrews chapter seven,
  mentions this experience and reviews the Hebrews
  tithe to the Levites, and then brings in Christ
  as A priest forever after the order of
  Melchizedek (Hebrews 56) as a better system.

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• In this longest discussion of tithing in the New
  Testament (Hebrews 71-10), the author of Hebrews
  is analyzing the encounter between Abram and
  Melchizedek, and making certain significant
  theological points in his argument. The fact
  that Abram returned his tithe to Melchizedek is
  taken as clear evidence of the superiority of the
  priesthood of Melchizedek over the Aaronic one.
  This passage presupposes that tithing is a
  divinely-ordained practice. There is no
  rejection of tithing, but rather an implicit
  recognition of its value and significance.

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• The New Testament shows a conformity with the
  Old Testament principle of returning to God a
  tenth of everything we earn and reminds us of its
  purpose and significance.

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• The tribe of Levi was chosen by the Lord for
  the sacred offices pertaining to the temple and
  the priesthood. Of the priest it was said, "The
  Lord thy God hath chosen him . . . to stand to
  minister in the name of the Lord." (Deuteronomy
  185.) One tenth of all the increase was claimed
  by the Lord as His own, and to withhold the tithe
  was regarded by Him as robbery.
• It was to this plan for the support of the
  ministry that Paul referred when he said, "Even
  so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach
  the gospel should live of the gospel." And later,
  in writing to Timothy, the apostle said, "The
  laborer is worthy of his reward." 1 Timothy 518.
  
• AA 336 CS 70,71

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• The Use of the Second Tithe
• Very confusing to surface readers
• Rodriguez Stewardship Roots
• White Patriarchs and Prophets(530)

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• Ellen Whites Primary Use of Tithe Counsel
• Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 245-252

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Ellen Whites 4 Exceptions for Use of Tithe

• 1. To secure the humblest place of worship.
• There are exceptional cases, where poverty is so
  deep that in order to secure the humblest place
  of worship, it may be necessary to appropriate
  the tithes. But that place is not Battle Creek or
  Oakland. (1MR191)

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Ellen Whites 4 Exceptions for Use of Tithe

• To help aged and suffering workers.
• And where I see workers in this cause that have
  been true and loyal to the work, who are left to
  suffer, it is my duty to speak in their behalf.
  If this does not move the brethren to help them,
  then I must help them, even if I am obliged to
  use a portion of my tithe in doing so.
• 5BIO 393.2

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Ellen Whites 4 Exceptions for Use of Tithe

• To supply the needs of neglected ministers in
  the South.
• It has been presented to me for years that my
  tithe was to be appropriated by myself to aid the
  white and colored ministers who were neglected
  and did not receive sufficient properly to
  support their families. When my attention was
  called to aged minister, white or black, it was
  my special duty to investigate into their
  necessities and supply their needs. This was to
  be my special work, and I have done this in a
  number of cases. No man should give notoriety to
  the fact that in special cases the tithe is used
  in this way. 2MR99 (from the Watson
  Letter, January 22, 1905)

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Ellen Whites 4 Exceptions for Use of Tithe

• To pay pastors wives who worked as Bible
  instructors.
• There are ministers wives Sisters Starr,
  Haskell, Wilson, and Robinson who have been
  devoted, earnest, whole-souled workers, giving
  Bible readings and praying with families, helping
  along by personal efforts just as successfully as
  their husbands. These women give their whole
  time, and are told that they receive nothing for
  their labors because their husbands receive
  wages. I tell them to go forward and all such
  decisions will be revised. The Word says, "The
  labourer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 107). When
  any such decision as this is made, I will in the
  name of the Lord, protest. I will feel it my duty
  to create a fund from my tithe money to pay these
  women who are accomplishing just as essential
  work as the ministers are doing, and this tithe I
  will reserve for work in the same line as that of
  the ministers, hunting for souls, fishing for
  souls. 12MR 160

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• The New Testament shows a conformity with the
  Old Testament principle of returning to God a
  tenth of everything we earn and reminds us of its
  purpose and significance.

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Satans Plan for Your Money

• 1. Selfishness--materialism--plays a major
  part in the great controversy TM
  474 Matt. 624

2. Tithing--a hedge against selfishness Deut.
1423
3. Abraham--father of the faithful
Gen. 14
4. From Jacob to Israel Gen. 2820-22
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The Significance of Tithing

• 1. Tithing and the tree of knowledge of good
  and evil (CS 65)

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A Test of Loyalty

• The tithing system is the equivalent to the
  last-day Christian of the
• Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
• for Adam and Eve
• in the Garden of Eden.
• CS 65

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• There was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself,
  and the sin was not merely in yielding to
  appetite. (1) It was distrust of Gods goodness,
  (2) disbelief of His Word, (3) and rejection of
  His authority, that made our first parents
  transgressors, and that brought into the world a
  knowledge of evil.
• Ed 25

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• When we are faithful with our tithe we show God
  that we
• trust His goodness,
• believe His word,
• and accept His authority.

(See CS 65 and Ed 25)
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The Significance of Tithing

• 1. Tithing and the tree of knowledge of good
  and evil (CS 65)

2. Tithing and our covenant relationship with
God (Abraham, Gen. 14 Jacob, Gen. 28

Mal 310 CS 75)
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• He who gave His only-begotten Son to die for
  you, has made a covenant with you. He gives you
  His blessings, and in return He requires you to
  bring Him your tithes and offerings.
• CS 75

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The Significance of Tithing

• 3. Failure to tithe is robbery of God
  
• (Mal. 36-12 CS 77 CS 86)

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• The evasion of the
• positive commands of God
• concerning tithes and offerings,
• is registered in the books of heaven
• as robbery toward Him.
• CS 77

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• To defraud God is
• the greatest crime of
• which man can be guilty
• and yet this sin is
• deep and widespread.
• CS 86

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The Significance of Tithing

• 3. Failure to tithe is robbery of God
  
• Mal. 36-12 CS 77 CS 86

4. Tithing is an act of worship Mal. 310
Ps. 11612-14
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• Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse
  KJV
• Bring all the tithes into the storehouse NKJV
• Not You all bring the tithes
• but
• You bring all the tithes...

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Tithing and Revival

• 1. Blessings or cursings
  Deut. 28
• 2. Return, revival, and refbormation Mal. 36-12
• 3. An honest tithe
  Mal. 310
• 4. The ministers responsibility
  CS 106 4T 256

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• Those churches who are the most systematic and
  liberal in sustaining the cause of God are the
  most prosperous spiritually. 3T 405

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Tithing and Revival

• 1. Blessings or cursings
  Deut. 28

2. Return, revival, and information Mal
36-12

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• Practical benevolence will give spiritual life
  to thousands of nominal professors of truth It
  will transform them from selfish, covetous
  worshipers of mammon to earnest, faithful
  co-workers with Christ in the salvation of
  sinners.
• 4T 387

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Tithing and Revival

• 1. Blessings or cursings
• Deut. 28
  

2. Return, revival, and information Mal
36-12
3. An honest tithe Mal 310
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• Three Elements of An Honest Tithe
• 1. Portion / Percent - one tenth
• 2. Place to return - The Storehouse
• 3. Purpose - support the ministry of
  Gods church

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Tithing and Revival

• 1. Blessings or cursings
• Deut. 28

2. Return, revival, and information Mal
36-12
3. An honest tithe Mal 310
4. The ministers responsibility CS 106
4T 256
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The Problem The majority of professed
Christians part with their means with great
reluctance. Many of them do not give one
twentieth of their income to God, and many give
far less than that while there is a large class
who rob God of the little tithe, and others who
will give only the tithe. 4T 474
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The Possibilities If all the tithes of our
people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as
they should, such blessings would be received
that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes
would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel
between God and man would be kept open. 4T
474
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• The Plan of Action
• The followers of Christ should
• not wait for thrilling missionary appeals to
  arouse them to action. If spiritually awake, they
  would hear in the income of every week, whether
  much or little, the voice of God and of
  conscience with authority demanding the tithes
  and offerings due the Lord.
  
• 4T 474

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• The greatest praise that men can bring to God is
  to become consecrated channels through whom He
  can work. Time is rapidly passing into eternity.
  Let us not keep back from God that which is His
  own. Let us not refuse Him that which, though it
  cannot be given with merit, cannot be denied
  without ruin. He asks for a whole heart give it
  to Him it is His, both by creation and by
  redemption. He asks for your intellect give it
  to Him it is His. He asks for your money give
  it to Him it is His. "Ye are not your own, for
  ye are bought with a price." 1 Corinthians 619,
  20.
• AA 566

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• Our ministers would feel sadly aggrieved if
  they were not promptly paid for their labor but
  will they consider that there must be meat in the
  treasure house of God where- with to sustain
  laborers? If they fail to do their whole duty in
  educating the people to be faithfulthere will be
  a shortage of meansto carry forward the Lords
  work.
• CS 104

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• Those who go forth as ministers have a solemn
  responsibility devolving upon them which is
  strangely neglected There is great need of
  instruction concerning the obligations and duties
  to God, especially in regard to paying an honest
  tithe. CS
  104

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• It is part of the ministers work to teach
  those who accept the truth through his efforts,
  to bring the tithe to the store-
• house, as an acknowledgement of their
  dependence upon God. The new converts should be
  fully enlightened as to their duty to return to
  the Lord His own. The command to pay tithe is so
  plain that there is no semblance of excuse for
• disregarding it. CS 105

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• If (pastors) fail to set before the church the
  importance of returning to God His own, if they
  do not see to it that the officers under them are
  faithful, and that the tithe is brought in, they
  are in peril. They are neglecting a matter which
  involves a blessing or a curse to the church.
  They should be relieved of their responsibility.
  CS 106

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• When ministers neglect to teach the people their
  obligation to God in tithes and offerings, they
  neglect one important part of the work which
  their Master has left them to do, and Unfaithful
  servant is written against their names in the
  books of heaven.
• 5T 256

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www.adventiststewardship.org
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It should be our highest aim in life to get
ready for heaven. 5MR 255
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• My Goal As A Committed Christian is to take what
  God has given me in time, talents, body temple,
  and my treasure, and trade with it until He comes
  with the perspective of bringing profit to His
  kingdom.

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