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God’s Plan for His Work in the Earth

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 20, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 34.

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God’s Plan for His Work in the Earth

By A. T. ROBINSON

(Concluded)
A. T. ROBINSON
The Second Tithe
God’s work in the earth is a progressive work. Whenever it ceases to be progressive, it becomes a dead formality or develops into apostasy.
The third angel’s message is God’s program for the finishing of his work in this world. When this message closes, God’s work in behalf of mankind will be ended, the number of subjects for his kingdom will be made up. This message is an epitome of the whole gospel plan, a setting in operation of all the agencies ordained of God for the accomplishment of his work. This message is a gathering together into one harmonious system of truth of every ray of gospel light that has ever shone upon the world, and focusing that light upon the last generation of mankind.
This message is therefore a development. While this whole movement was outlined on the prophetic page thousands of years ago, when God’s appointed time came for it to be given to the world, it began to unfold; and link after link has been added, first appearing in dim outlines, and as further and clearer light has shone, these links in the chain of eternal truth have resolved themselves into the harmonious, beautiful, and clear system of truth which we denominate the third angel’s message.
As the truth of this message has been, and still is, developing, so the divine plan for the accomplishment of the work has been, and still is, developing. By this plan the ever-increasing needs of the work have been met.
In the early days of the message there was almost no means of support for the ministry. Light began to shine upon the Lord’s plan. The people began to walk in the faint glimmerings of light which at first shone upon them, by adopting the plan of “systematic benevolence.” Each member pledged, at the beginning of each quarter, to pay a certain amount each week. This was the first step toward the tithing system. Of course we can now see that it was not a tithe, but it was the best the people knew, and it met the needs of the work in those early days. As the work developed, and its needs increased, further light was given, which led to the adoption of the tithing system as now followed.
The divine plan forbids the use of the first tithe for other purposes than the support of the gospel ministry. But did the Lord ordain no plan for the support of other lines of his work in the earth? Among other lines of work which have developed in recent years is our church-school work. The support of our church-school teachers, thus far, has been about as precarious as was the support of the ministers in the early days of the message.
The spirit of prophecy bears this testimony concerning the tithing system: “God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its origin. . . . If one and all would accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God; and there would be no want of means with which to carry forward the last message of warning to the world. The treasury will be full if all will adopt this system, and the contributors will not be left the poorer.”
A system is here referred to. A system suggests a plan with several parts; for instance, we speak of a railroad system when we wish to refer to the main line with its branches, rolling stock, etc. The support of one branch of the Lord’s work, the ministry, has been solved by the adoption of one part of God’s beautiful plan, the payment of the first tithe. The testimony quoted above says that “if one and all would accept it, there would be no want of means with which to carry forward the last message of warning to the world.” The church-school is to act an important part in this work, and God’s beautiful plan makes provision for its support. What is the Lord’s plan for the support of different parts of his work, including Christian education? — “Institutions that are God’s instruments to carry forward his work on the earth must be sustained. Churches must be erected, schools established. . . . These institutions are ordained of God, and should be sustained by tithes and liberal offerings.”— “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 464.
“To promote the assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required.”— “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 530. The work of the priests and the Levites was to “teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law.” Deut. 33:10. Their plan of teaching must have been somewhat similar to that of our church-school system. “And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Jehovah with them, and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.” 2 Chron. 17:7-9.
“The system enjoined upon the Hebrews has never been repealed nor relaxed by the One who originated it. Instead of being of no force now, it was to be more fully carried out and more extended. . . . The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income.”— “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 392, 393, 530.
“None need fear that their liberality would bring them to want. Obedience to God’s commandments would surely result in prosperity.”— “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 533.
Do not these quotations suggest to us that when God’s beautiful plan is fully adopted, there will be an abundant supply of means, through the second tithe, for the support of our church-school teachers, the support of worthy poor, and the keeping up of church expenses?
Hastings, Neb.