Support of Gospel Workers by WILLIAM COVERT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 28, 1909

Support of Gospel Workers

By WILLIAM COVERT

(Continued)

WILLIAM COVERT

The Lesson

ABRAHAM'S disposition of the recovered spoils shows the good conscience of the patriarch on the subject of tithe paying, and the whole narrative clearly proves that the tithing system was well understood and was practised by the Lord's people in those early times. It also shows how Abraham rebuked the king of Sodom and his people for not paying tithe on their property before their war with the neighboring tribes. And does not this incident of ancient history indicate that, since God then held kings and their people to be under obligation to pay tithes, all people and rulers to-day should pay tithes?

Abraham's Faithfulness an Example for Us

The fact that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek is used by Paul to show that the paying of tithes should yet be practised by the Lord's people. His teaching is that in paying tithes to the Lord's priest, the tithe so paid is received by our High Priest, Jesus Christ. He says that men here who “die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” Heb. 7: 8.

Since Christians are all children of God by faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3: 26), and also of the seed of Abraham according to the promises of God made to the patriarchal fathers (Gal. 3: 29), it follows that they will pay tithes, as Abraham did, because Jesus says that those who are the children of Abraham will “do the works of Abraham.” John 8: 39. Thus it is shown that Christians should be tithe-paying people. This is further shown by the fact that Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7: 17), and that the priesthood of Melchizedek was supported by the tithes (Heb. 7: 2-6), and, too, that Christ should receive the tithes of his people. Heb. 7: 8.

Jacob a Tithe-Payer

Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, vowed that he would tithe all that should come into his possession. He said: “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: . . . and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth to thee.” Gen. 28: 20-22.

Jacob's vow is further evidence of the ancient practise and faithfulness of the patriarchs in paying tithes. And judging from the manner in which the subject is treated by these men of primitive times, we conclude that the practise and the teaching regarding it were handed down from the Creator and Redeemer through Adam to his posterity.

A Testimony From the Lord

In speaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and of its purpose, the spirit of prophecy says: “This tree God reserved as a constant reminder of his ownership of all. . . . So it is with God's claims upon us. He . . . requires that one tenth shall be faithfully laid aside for his work. . . . By faithfully obeying this requirement, we acknowledge that all belongs to God.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 386. “This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ himself.”—Ibid., page 384.

Taught by Moses to Israel

The descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah, were chosen to bear the chief burden of priestly and evangelistic work; and for this reason arrangement was made for their support from the tithe of Israel. And upon this point the Lord said to Moses: “And unto the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the tent of meeting.” Num. 18: 21, A. R. V. The Lord, in speaking of the sacredness of the tithe, said, by the mouth of Moses: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah's: it is holy unto Jehovah. . . . And all the tithe of the herd or the flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto Jehovah.” Lev. 27: 30-32.

No man ever had any permission or any right from divine authority to use the tithe or any part of it in his own business. Since the fall, it has always been the Lord's, and the Lord says that the man who uses the tithe for himself is robbing God.

Christ has spoken very definitely about the tithe. He said: “Ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone . . . justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done [ought to have exercised justice, mercy, and faith], and not to have left the other [the payment of tithe] undone.” Matt. 23: 23.

Who Fails to See It?

But notwithstanding the fact that much has been said in the Bible about the duty of tithing, some claim they can not see that it is required. In response to this excuse the spirit of prophecy has said: “Those who claim that they can not see this to be their duty, reveal to the heavenly universe, to the church, and to the world, that they do not want to see this plainly stated requirement. They think that by following the Lord's plan, they would detract from their own possessions.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 387.

That one in debt to his fellow man is under obligation to pay his tithes to God, is evident from the following: “He is a debtor to God for all that he has, but he becomes a double debtor when he uses the Lord's reserve fund in paying debts to human beings. ‘Unfaithfulness to God’ is written against his name in the books of heaven. He has an account to settle with God for appropriating the Lord's means for his own convenience.”—Ibid., page 391. And again: “The tithe you have withheld I reserved for the support of my servants in their work of opening the Scriptures to those who are in the regions of darkness, who do not understand my law. In using my reserve fund to gratify your own desires, you have robbed souls of the light which I made provision for them to receive. You had opportunity to show loyalty to me, but you have not done this. You have robbed me; you have stolen my reserve fund. ‘Ye are cursed with a curse.’”—Ibid., page 387.

Chicago, Ill.

(To be continued)