Financial Problems of Our Schools

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 2, 1906

Financial Problems of Our Schools

Church-School Support

The first matter that we shall consider in this paper is the problem of church-school support. We must all admit that this is one of the most difficult financial problems before this denomination to-day, and we can solve it only as we lay aside every prejudice and breathe a prayer to God, “O Lord, teach us; show us thy way.” Each conference has had its plan for support; there has been no unanimity in this matter; perhaps none is possible. We must and do call our church-school work a success, regardless of our financial policies. That being conceded, are our four hundred and fifty-one teachers whom God has called and so wonderfully blessed, and our school boards that have labored so faithfully, fully satisfied with the methods that have been followed to raise the funds necessary to sustain these schools? Those who are, need no better plans than those they already have, but no plans can be successful as a whole unless through them a very large majority of Seventh-day Adventist children are enabled to attend our own schools, and unless these schools are being operated without the usual annual deficits we hear so much about.

Therefore, in considering this problem, let us not keep in mind one or two successful schools, but each conference should ask this question, What financial plans can be laid to enable a very large majority, if not all, of our children to obtain a Christian education without having a burden of debt?

PLAN 1.—The plan of support usually followed is very much better than to have no plan at all. It consists in the church-school board's appointing some one to visit every church-member and outsider who has children in the school, and receive pledges, which are usually to be paid monthly. Where every one helps whether he has children or not, and where those who have children shoulder their share of the burden, this plan works fairly well. However, let us notice some objections to it. The pledges usually go unpaid for months; and when the teacher calls for her month's wages, she is paid only part of it, or nothing at all. Then on Sabbath the elder or other church officer makes a call for those who have pledged to pay their pledges by a certain day, or the school will close. This threat of closing is repeated quite often during the year. It detracts materially from the sanctity of the service in God's house to have this matter presented so repeatedly. Furthermore, it makes the teacher, who is usually present, feel uncomfortable to have the matter of her wages mentioned so often. Then it usually happens that, despite all their efforts, the teacher must wait two, three, or four months for the last month's salary. All this is better than nothing, but I believe there is a better and more excellent way.

PLAN 2.—Another plan is to limit the attendance at school to those who pay tuition. I have been in councils where such a plan was considered perfectly proper, but I ask, How about the poor children whose parents are unable to pay? Shall these be barred? I can not think for a moment that Christ would have it so. This objection might be overcome by appealing to others for help.

PLAN 3.—A third plan of support is a conference educational fund, created through an appeal to the people. This might bring in one thousand dollars or more. The conference would then propose to certain weak churches, “We will give you one hundred dollars if you will raise two hundred dollars,” or some such ratio as might be decided upon.

PLAN 4.—A fourth plan spoken of is a setting apart of a tithe of the tithe for the support of schools. I do not think this has ever been done, but I do know that the tithe has been used in partial support of the teachers. The tithe is wholly unto the Lord, and should never be used for anything else than the support of the gospel ministry.

PLAN 5.—The last plan I have to offer is one that has been used by the Southern California Conference for three or four years. She has solved this problem for herself. Other conferences must solve it for themselves in their own way. It is a plan that abolishes every objection that I have made against the others, and enables us to educate a majority of our children in our own schools.

This is the second-tithe plan, which I believe is Scriptural, and therefore systematic. I must admit that when I went to Southern California last year, I was prejudiced against the second-tithe system. My heart was wrapped up in foreign missionary work, and I felt that when the people had paid a first tithe and a second tithe out of their earnings, they would have nothing left for offerings. I find just the opposite. The more they give, the more they have to give. God blesses their liberality.

Obligations of the Second Tithe

We all know that the tithe belongs to the ministry. There was, however, another tithe for another purpose, as brought to view in Deut. 14: 22, 23: “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thy oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.” This was called a second tithe, and was obligatory upon all the people. This is also spoken of in Deut. 12: 17.

“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 530, states the following: “To promote the

assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required. Concerning the first tithe the Lord had declared, ‘I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel.’ Num. 18: 21. But in regard to the second, he commanded, ‘Thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.’ Deut. 14: 23. This tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established. After presenting a thank-offering to God and a specified portion to the priest, the offerers were to use the remainder for a religious feast in which the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow should participate. Thus provision was made for the thank-offerings and feasts of the yearly festivals, and the people were drawn to the society of the priests and Levites, that they might receive instruction and encouragement in the service of God.”

“Every third year, however, this second tithe was to be used at home, in entertaining the Levite and the poor, as Moses said, ‘That they may eat within thy gates, and be filled.’ This tithe would provide a fund for the uses of charity and hospitality.”

This explains itself. This tithe was “required” and used for different purposes, but the giving was systematic. For two years they were to bring it to Jerusalem, and the third year they were to use it at home for “charity and hospitality.” Out of the amount of the two years’ tithe they first gave a thank-offering to God, and used the remainder to maintain themselves and others while they were being taught by the priests and Levites the things of God. These great feasts were educational.

The first and second tithes constituted the tithing system which God designed for his people to-day, as well as for Israel. These tithes (plural, meaning first and second) are mentioned in the Scriptures. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3: 8-10.

While hardly any one doubts the obligation of the second tithe, there are questions concerning its use to-day. Some think that Deut. 14: 22-28 gives the one adopting it liberty to retain it in his own possession, using it for paying offerings, church-school teachers, church expenses, etc. Others think that Mal. 3: 10 has reference to its leaving one's possession and being placed in the treasury of the church. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

(To be concluded)