Giving One Tenth to God

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1911

Giving One Tenth to God

“WHEN the Christian church really tithes, the world and the church will be astounded at the result.” This is the attitude which the Sunday School Times of Dec. 9, 1911, takes toward this plain Bible doctrine. Answering an Illinois reader as to whether the command in the Old Testament to tithe had been rendered void or changed by the New Testament dispensation, the editor says:—

The New Testament confirms, does not cancel, the Old Testament principle of tithing, or giving one tenth of our income to the Lord. The principle of the sacredness of one tenth of the income seems to be as deeply rooted in both Old Testament and New as the principle of the sacredness of one seventh of our time. Jesus seemed to assume it as axiomatic when he said of tithing that it ought not to be left undone. Matt. 23:23. There are, of course, Old Testament rules as to tithes in relation to the ceremonial of the old dispensation which are not now in force in the dispensation of Christ; but the principle of tithing as required of man in his relation to God seems to be permanent.

It is reasonable to believe that tithing as a practise in the Christian church is increasing. There are many who know its blessedness by much testing; and there are some who are definitely seeking to bring it before the churches and people as a sacred privilege. The Sunday School Times hopes, during the coming year, to let the facts be known widely as to tithing and its results in the church and in individual life. There is a wealth of evidence as to the prosperity and blessing that accompany tithing.

The Times believes that— the blessing that comes to a tithing church comes also to the tithing individual disciple. This is so marked and assured—to lives of real discipleship—that it is a great pity that any, and especially those whose incomes are smallest, should be robbed of the blessing through distrust of God.

The truthfulness of this statement we believe has been verified in the experience of many of the readers of the REVIEW AND HERALD. Many times have our brethren and sisters testified that faithfulness in rendering to God his own brought blessings both to the individual life and to the life of the church. He who is rich toward God in giving to his cause and to the poor and needy the portion which is theirs thus links himself with the eternal riches of heaven. Truly, as the Times concludes, ‘partnership with God is always a safe move.’