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The Tithe

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 26, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 52.

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The Tithe

By Mrs. G. E. Kelly

MRS. G. E. KELLY
The more I consider the system that God has provided for the support of the ministers in his work, and compare it with the methods used by other churches for paying their ministry, the more beauty I see in the tithing system.
For instance: other denominations often send a minister to a sparsely settled district. The first thing after the opening services, he must make a plea for money, and then right after the benediction he must again urge the people to give. Consequently a damper is put on his work, for no matter how sincere he may be in his labor for souls, many feel that he comes only to beg. Many do not care to contribute toward his support. Others who are not able to pay are timid about going to the meetings. How very different would be the experience of these ministers if the denomination which they represent would follow God's plan!
So far as I know, Seventh-day Adventists are the only people who pay their ministers wholly from the tithe, and I have never yet seen one of our ministers obliged to appear in as shabby a garb as some from other churches. These workers find it far harder to keep a family than do our ministers. I refer, of course, to those who are willing to work in sparsely settled districts, leaving the luxurious city churches because of their love for souls. There are some such ones.
Sometimes it seems hard for us to pay our tithe, but by personal experience I have proved God in this matter. Two of my loved ones were stricken with an incurable disease. The burden of support fell upon my shoulders. Sometimes I did not see how I could spare my tithe, but when I paid it, the Lord usually gave me its equivalent. When faithful in giving the Lord his own, I got along very well. The blessing may not always come in dollars and cents, nor should we pay our tithe for that purpose; but it will come in some form, because God's word can not fail. Let us be faithful in this part of God's work.
Silcott, Wash.