SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1901

SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY.

By John Norton Loughborough

“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:13, 14.

As already stated, the action taken by our people in 1853 to send forth only approved ministers resulted in unity among the believers. With this unity came also increased zeal to bear the truth to others. At the same time there was, on the part of the people, an increased desire to hear the truth. In the summer of 1854 Seventh-day Adventists first began to use large tents in which to hold meetings. It was a rare thing in those days to see tents used for such purposes, consequently crowds of people came to the tent-meetings.

This increased interest in the message called for ministers who could devote their whole time to the gospel work. This they could not do without some means of support besides their own hand labor. No system of finance had yet been established, so no salaries were then held out for their encouragement. In 1851 the following Testimony respecting laborers was given: “They will have to go out by faith, trusting in Him who has called them to His work, and He will open the way before them, as far as it will be for their good and His glory. Jesus, the great teacher and pattern, had not where to lay His head. His life was one of toil, sorrow, and suffering; He then gave himself for us. Those who, in Christ’s stead, beseech souls to be reconciled to God, and who hope to reign with Christ in glory, must expect to be partakers of His sufferings here.”—Experience and Visions, page 54.

At this time ways were suggested how the believers might financially aid in the Lord’s cause: “All those who are indulging self by using the filthy weed tobacco, should lay it aside, and put their means to a better use. Those make a sacrifice who deprive themselves of some gratification, and take the means they formerly used to gratify the appetite, and put it into the treasury of the Lord. . . . If all would study to be more economical in their articles of dress, depriving themselves of some things which are not actually necessary, and should lay aside such needless and injurious things as tea and coffee, giving to the cause what these cost, they would receive more blessing here, and a reward in heaven.”—Id., page 35.

This instruction, for a time, led to quite liberal contributions of money; but some of the self-sent laborers abused these liberalities. The Testimony said of this class: “A bad example has been set by some in accepting large donations, and not giving the least caution to those who had means not to use it too freely and carelessly. . . . Those who had means were thrown into great perplexity. . . . Others have been affected by these things, and have not felt the need of economy, of denying themselves, and putting into the treasury of the Lord.”—Testimony of June 2, 1853.

In the same communication we read that “friends of the cause of present truth have been raised up, who have watched for opportunity to do good with their means. Some have handed out too freely, to the injury of the receiver. For about two years I have been shown more relative to a careless and too free use of the Lord’s money, than a lack of it.”

As order was established in the ministry, separating from the body those who had abused the liberalities of the brethren, confidence in the work was fully restored. When calls were made for money to purchase tents, for tent-meetings and laborers’ expenses, for a power press and engine, for a book fund, etc., there were liberal responses. The work advanced so rapidly that at the close of 1857 the number of Seventh-day Adventists had doubled, and the office property of the Review and Herald had increased from seven hundred to five thousand dollars.

This in kind seemed like the zeal and enthusiasm of Israel in the wilderness, at the time of the building of the tabernacle, when their gifts which they brought “was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.” Ex. 36:7. When this structure was erected, there would be a continual expense for the general offerings of the tabernacle, and for the support of those who gave themselves entirely to the service; so the Lord introduced to them His plan for securing means for this purpose.

Satan was displeased to see the cause flourish as order was being established, so he called a council of his angels to devise a plan to hinder the work. In “Spiritual Gifts,” Vol. I, 1858, we find the following: “I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially for those who are looking for Christ’s second appearing, and keeping all the commandments of God. . . . Said he, ‘The sect of Sabbath-keepers we hate; they are continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects to keep the hated law of God. Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have strength. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may idolize it. We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain control. The more means the followers of Christ devote to His service, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting our subjects. . . . Present every plausible excuse to those who have means, lest they hand it out. Control the money matters if you can, and drive their ministers to want and distress. This will weaken their courage and zeal. Battle every inch of ground. Make covetousness the leading trait in their character.’”

This testimony explained to us some things that hitherto seemed strange. Why the zeal and liberality of our people from 1853 to 1855 should drop to such a low ebb in 1856 and 1857 that even many in the ministry were being driven to hand labor for their own support was a question hard to solve.

A Testimony in Vol. I shows the outward working of Satan’s plan, where it says of some professed Sabbath-keepers: “They make self and self-interest first, and then they do for the cause what they think they can as well as not. Such a sacrifice, I saw, is lame, and not accepted of God. All should be interested to do their utmost to advance the cause. I saw that those who have no property, but have strength of body, are accountable to God for their strength. They should be diligent in business and fervent in spirit; they should not leave those that have possessions to do all the sacrificing. I saw that they can sacrifice, and that it is their duty to do so, as well as those who have property. But often those that have no possessions do not realize that they can deny themselves in many ways, can lay out less upon their bodies, and to gratify their tastes and appetites, and find much to spare for the cause, and thus lay up a treasure in heaven.

“Selfishness and covetousness can be overcome . . . by laying all their possessions upon the altar of God. And when they see where means are needed to advance the cause of truth and to help the widow, the fatherless, and afflicted, they should give cheerfully, and thus lay up treasure in heaven.”—Pages 115, 142.

This lack of liberality on the part of our people went to a low ebb in the winter of 1857–58. At this time the following Testimony was given, directing us to search the Scriptures, for therein a plan is given for the support of the work,—a plan which our people should adopt: “The least that has been required of Christians in past days, is to possess a spirit of liberality, and to consecrate to the Lord a portion of all their increase. Every true Christian has considered this a privilege, but some who have borne the name only, have considered this a task; the grace and love of God had never wrought in them the good work, or they would gladly have advanced the cause of their Redeemer. But Christians who are living in the last days, and who are waiting for their Lord, are required to do even more than this. God requires them to sacrifice.

“I was pointed back to the days of the apostles, and saw that God laid the plan by the descent of His Holy Spirit, and that by the gift of prophecy He counseled His people in regard to a system of benevolence. All were to share in this work of imparting of their carnal things to those who ministered unto them in spiritual things.”—Id., pages 170, 190.

In the month of April, 1858, a Bible class was conducted by Elder J. N. Andrews, in Battle Creek, Mich. Its object was to learn what the Scriptures teach concerning the support of the gospel ministry, and resulted in developing the “plan of systematic benevolence, on the tithing principle.”

The next year the Testimony on this subject was as follows: “God is well pleased with the efforts of His people in trying to move with system and order in His work on earth. . . . God is leading His people in the plan of systematic benevolence, and this is one of the very points to which God is bringing up His people which will cut the closest with some. With them this cuts off the right arm, and plucks out the right eye, while to others it is a great relief. To noble, generous souls the demands upon them seem very small, and they cannot be content to do so little.”—Id., page 191.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.