Church Finances by Wm. A. Westworth

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

Church Finances

By Wm. A. Westworth

Among the problems that perplex many church officers is that of urging upon their members the need of constant giving, and how best to keep the matter before the people, that a constant stream may be kept flowing to meet not only the calls that come from the union and general conferences, but also the expenses connected with the local work.

They often fear lest they be accused of making the raising of money the larger part of their burden. I have known church officers, who, through such fear, refrained from mentioning this part of the service, except when they could read an appeal that came from a higher source.

Sometime ago a new member came to the writer, and said: “Brother, I hear that this people ask not only for the ten-per-cent tithe, but that they are always calling for donations and that sort of thing; is it so?” “Yes, yes,” was the answer; “that is just so,—first the tithe, then the rest; then your home and all your property; then your children and all your loved ones,—all you have and can be, that is what the Lord demands, and it will take it all to get into the kingdom.” He looked down for a few minutes, and then replied, “Well, well, it’s worth it.”

So it is the privilege and duty of every elder to impress upon each church-member that the call for money is not to be considered as separate from the regular worship, but as an integral part thereof. When all sense this fact, the finances of the church will never be considered a burden. Let the needs of the field be often presented,—the great field beyond as the crying need,—the home field as the training-ground for new recruits to the lands afar, the schools and sanitariums as the best places possible for the development of the most successful workers for the difficult places of earth,—and thus each one will feel it a privilege to give.

How many times we hear it said, “O, it is not hard to raise money for foreign missions!” But for home work and institutional support it is hard to get even a little. This is because the great object of these home efforts is not understood. If we realized the influence of our sanitariums and schools in the furnishing of trained help for the countries where the darkness is the greatest, we should soon see that it is impossible to separate our home institutional work from the advance into foreign fields.

The raising of a second tithe has been presented as the solution of all the financial difficulties of the church, and a close study of this matter will reveal to all that in this the Lord is leading his people to see the beauty of systematic benevolence. We think that the specific obligations of the second tithe can not be placed upon the same basis as the first tithe; but the lesson of a regular plan to support the work of the Lord is firmly impressed by this system.

Following, then, this idea, let there be regularity in the church with reference to the collections for the various needs,—certain Sabbaths for certain objects,—and it should not be thought out of place to call attention weekly to the offerings for the following Sabbath. The use of the envelope that is provided will facilitate this matter, and all the various offerings may be collected at the same time.

Be frank and open with regard to the necessary expenses; counsel with the membership regarding essential outlays; let every one feel that he is a part of the working and paying force. Explain the details of the calls that come, and let the treasurer’s report be rendered in such a way as to be readily understood by all. The personal explanation of some of these calls, and the need for all to take part, can be made the entering wedge in the talks to those who are not faithful in tithe-paying. By a careful study of the names of those who pay tithes, and by earnest and prayerful efforts to present to every wage-earning church-member his duty in this respect, the church elder will not only be filling the responsibility placed upon him, but the treasury will be sustained, and the work the sooner finished.

WM. A. WESTWORTH.