The Tithing System by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 18, 1869

The Tithing System.

By John Nevins Andrews

No one disputes that the payment of a tithe of the increase of everything, year by year, was demanded under the Levitical priesthood. But because that priesthood is no longer in existence, it is generally believed that the system of paying to the cause of God a tithe of the increase, is no longer obligatory. That we are not under the Levitical priesthood, but under that of Melchisedek, I own indeed. But the Melchisedek priesthood is older than that of Aaron. Melchisedek, the first priest of this order, lived in the days of Abraham. Abraham paid him tithes of all. Gen. xiv. Jacob vowed to pay a tenth of all to God. Gen. xxviii, 22.

So it appears that the tithing system did not originate with the Levitical priesthood, but with that of Melchisedek, under which we now are. We are therefore under obligation to do as much as this, as Christians; and if any wish to give as much as the poor widow, they will not lose their reward. J. N. A.