The Best Way by C. H. REIMERS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1908

The Best Way

By C. H. REIMERS

C. H. REIMERS

God’s way is always the best way; and the secret of salvation, success, and prosperity lies in adopting God’s ways in place of our own.

Just as money is necessary to carry on any commercial business, so money is needed to carry on our Father’s business. Now there is most urgent need for a very large sum of money, not to pay old debts, but to enlarge our Father’s business. Let us all give willingly and cheerfully for this purpose until the work is completed. There are many promises in the Word to the cheerful giver.

In Rom. 15:4 we are told that what was written aforetime was for our learning. In the Old Testament God gives us a system for raising money to carry on the work, which is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. This is the tithing system. In studying this question I find that the first tithe, or tenth part, of our increase should be given for the support of the Levites, or ministry. Num. 18:21. This tithe is not to be used for any other purpose. If used, it must be returned with one fifth, or twenty per cent, added thereto. Lev. 27:30-33. Many tithe only money received, but everything that is received should be tithed.

There is more to the tithing system, however, than simply the paying of one tithe. We are to pay a second tithe, or tenth part, which is to be used to maintain annual feasts, such as our camp-meetings, and to defray the expenses of carrying forward the work, outside of the support of the ministry. Deut. 12:17-19; 14:22, 23. In ancient Israel, every third year this second tithe was to be devoted to the poor, to orphans, and to widows. Deut. 14:28, 29. This is equivalent to giving one third of the second tithe each year to that purpose. This is God’s systematic plan for carrying forward the work and caring for the poor and needy.

There is no doubt that Paul taught the people to pay tithes. He taught them all the counsel of God. Acts 20:27. In 1 Cor. 9:13, 14, we see he taught the people to pay the first tithe for the support of the ministry. Notice the “even so” in verse 14. But in 1 Cor. 16:1, 2, Paul teaches that they should figure up, on the first day of each week, to see how God had prospered them, and then to lay by accordingly, not as they purposed in their hearts, but a certain portion—as God had prospered them. They would then have money on hand when a call came.

If we would adopt this plan of figuring

up on the first day of each week, to see how God has prospered us, and then lay by a second tithe, or tenth part of that which is left after we have paid a first tithe for the support of the ministry, we should have money ready to give when a call like the one hundred fifty thousand dollar fund comes; and if every Seventh-day Adventist would pay a second tithe regularly, it would not be necessary to call for money to carry on the work, as there would be a constant stream flowing into the treasury. Then our Sabbath services could be enjoyed without taking collections, a custom that is seriously questioned by many. Also the urgent calls for money at our camp-meetings would not be necessary, but the time could all be spent in praise and in learning how we can better serve God.

The Bible plainly teaches that we should pay a first and a second tithe of all our increase. God’s ancient people practised this system of tithing; and their example is an object-lesson to us, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Josephus says: “He appointed that the people should pay the tithe of their annual fruits of the earth, both to the Levite and to the priests.” “Let there be taken out of your fruits a tenth, besides that which you have allotted to give to the priests and the Levites. This you may indeed sell in the country, but it is to be used in those feasts and sacrifices that are to be celebrated in the holy city.”—Josephus, “Antiquities,” book 4, chap. 4, sec. 3; chap. 8, sec. 8.

There is a blessing for all who obey God’s requirements; and I fear many of our people are being cheated out of the blessing that would result from paying the second tithe. I wish each member of our denomination could read “Gospel Workers,” page 269; “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 530, 533; and “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, pages 388-413.

For the benefit of those who have not access to the above-mentioned books, I will give a few extracts concerning God’s tithing system, including the second tithe:—

“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. . . . The tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established. . . . Thus provision was made for the thank-offerings and feasts at the yearly festivals, and the people were drawn to the society of the priests and Levites, that they might receive instruction and encouragement in the service of God.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 530.

In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, pages 388-413, we find the following statements: “He [God] has given his people a plan for raising sums sufficient to make the enterprise [carrying the truth] self-sustaining. God’s plan in the tithing system [this certainly includes both first and second tithes] is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its origin. . . . Great objects are accomplished by this system. 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 great work of sounding the last message of warning to the world. The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the contributors will not be left the poorer. Through every investment made, they will become more wedded to the cause of present truth. . . . 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 it. Instead of 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. . . .”

“We are in a world of plenty. If gifts and offerings were in proportion to the means which each has received of God, there would be no need of urgent calls for means at our large gatherings. [This must mean the second tithe, and free-will offerings.] . . . The burden of urging and pressing individuals to give of their means, was not designed to be the work of God’s ministers. The responsibility should rest upon every individual who enjoys the belief of the truth.”

These lessons are of great importance just now. On page 529 in “Patriarchs and Prophets” we read: “The work of the gospel, as it widens, requires greater provision to sustain it than was called for anciently; and this makes the law of tithes and offerings of even more urgent necessity now than under the Hebrew economy.” If this law was one that demanded obedience, and if the demands of the present time are “more urgent” than at that time, it certainly makes our duty clear. By paying a second tithe all the members can share in the burdens equally.

“The light which the Lord has given me on this subject, is that the means in the treasury for the support of the ministry [first tithe] in the different fields, is not to be used for any other purpose. . . . They are withdrawing the tithe for other expenses—to keep up the meeting-house necessities, or some charity [the second tithe is for this purpose]. God is not glorified in any such work. . . . Let not the treasury be robbed.”—“Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers,” No. 16, pages 18, 19. By paying a second tithe the questions of general church expense, camp-meeting expense, mission offerings, church-school funds, and the care of the worthy poor, etc., are made clear and relieved of difficulty.

Soon all the means God has will be used in this message, or be swallowed up by the world. Faith in our Father’s providing care must be allowed to grow now, or it will be lacking when the final test is upon us.

In my mind, it is clear from the Bible, history, and the Testimonies that God desires us to pay a first and a second tithe,—one in support of the ministry, the other to carry on the work. This is the best way. God help us to walk in the light when we see duty clearly.

Meriden, Conn.