The Tithe by L. L. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1916

The Tithe

By L. L. C.

It is interesting to find the tithe being discussed more and more in religious papers. Almost all Christians are willing to agree that this system of finance is one of the most successful for the forwarding of religious work. Some go farther and recognize that the plan is a divine one, and that it is the Christian’s duty as well as privilege to return the tenth to God. There are some persons, however, who feel that a poor man may be exempt from the observance of the tithe because its payment requires more sacrifice of him than of the rich man.

But when we turn to the business world, we find that no such feeling of injustice arises when the same rent per acre is asked from the poor man as from the rich man. One man may be well-to-do, with money in the bank, and plenty of this world’s goods, while another may have but little, with a sick wife and a large family of little children not old enough to help. This latter man would not think of suggesting his obligations as a reason for asking the farm owner to reduce the rent per acre. He would consider it discreditable to himself to expect to pay less than the rent which others pay for property of the same value.

How much better it would be if in all our church work we were to deal on the basis which is usual in business. One tenth is the Lord’s share in the business partnership; the nine tenths is our share, and in God’s plan will accord with the service that we have done. Let us be careful of the expenditure even of this nine tenths, in order that, besides procuring for ourselves the necessities of life, we may have something left which we can return to God in freewill offerings. · L. L. C.