p. 820 | Tithing System God's Plan for All Time

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 28, 1913

Tithing System God's Plan for All Time

By E. K. Slade

Gospel Order—No. 6

Tithing System God's Plan for All Time

E. K. SLADE

A SYSTEM based upon a principle as enduring as the law of God commands our highest regard. It cannot be of human origin or merely typical in nature, but it must be applicable to the needs of humanity from the beginning to the close of the gospel age. Under the Levitical priesthood, God required that his people pay tithes into the Lord’s treasury, but is it not as clearly revealed that it was required under the Melchizedek priesthood which preceded and followed the Levitical period? Abraham, many years before the Levitical age, “gave him tithes of all.” “Christ, a priest under the Melchizedek order, taught his disciples that tithe paying is required even on the smallest items of increase. Matt. 23:23.”

The tithing system did not originate with Moses or in the days of Moses. “God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its origin.”—“Testimonies for the Church, Vol. III, page 388.” In harmony with the foregoing is the following statement: “Just in proportion as God has given his property to man so man is to return to God a faithful tithe of all his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ himself.”—“Id., Vol. VI, page 384.” “The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam.” “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.”—Id., Vol. III, pages 393, 392. “God never designed that the law of the tithing system should be of no account among his people; but instead of this, he designed that the spirit of sacrifice should widen and deepen for the closing work.”

By these important statements, which are in perfect harmony with the Bible record, it is clearly seen that the tithing system is of divine origin, that the arrangement was made by Jesus Christ, that it extended back even to Adam’s time and is to be in force until the gospel work is finished, and that instead of its being minimized or inoperative in the closing work, it is to be more fully carried out and more extended in our time. By these statements it is made clear that God’s ancient financial arrangement is to be a distinct part of the closing work with which we are connected. It is not to be set aside nor severed from the plan of God, nor is it to be counted of human origin, possessing only claims of convenience and expediency.

To dwell upon and emphasize these vital truths would seem uncalled for, were it not for the fact that there are those who love to count themselves as connected with the remnant people and the closing work who disregard the tithing system. There is a class who accept the theory, but allow covetousness to lead them to rob God. There is another class who say they believe, but argue that it is not required of them at this time. Both of these classes are on dangerous ground; and that such classes do exist in the church today makes a clear statement of these truths fitting and timely. It is a matter that concerns the whole church, and the burden of responsibility to give enlightenment and bring relief rests upon all members. We have not held these truths in as high esteem as we should. We have come short of giving the proper instructions to those received into church fellowship. Especially is this true of the young. Concerning them it is concluded that from home influences and association with believers they understand all that is required, and gospel finance is scarcely mentioned. When we carefully consider the origin, nature, purpose, and need of the tithing system, and that it is to have a broader and fuller application in the closing work, it will lead to more careful teaching and a stricter regulation in the churches in reference to this point of faith.

Mount Vernon, Ohio.