The Scriptures clearly teach that the gospel work in the earth should be supported by a tithe of our income. The first direct reference to this subject is found in Gen. 14:20. Here Abram, a servant of the Lord, is said to have paid tithe to Melchisedec, the Lord’s priest. In the instance mentioned he gave a tenth of all the property in his possession. In the book of Hebrews Paul mentions this act of the patriarch as an example that should be imitated by Christians at the present time. He shows that as Melchisedec received tithe from the Lord’s servant then, so should Christ now receive tithe from His people. See Heb. 7:8. Here, he says, “Men . . . receive tithes; but there He [Christ] receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that He liveth.” This is explicit instruction, calling upon God’s people to be faithful in the matter of tithing.
Moses, in the book of Leviticus, chapter 27 and verse 30, says, “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord.” This calls for the Lord’s people to pay into the Lord’s treasury one tenth of all that the fields produce and of all that grows upon the trees. Notice that the tithe is the Lord’s, and that it is holy unto the Lord. Can we appropriate that which is the Lord’s, that which is holy unto the Lord, to our individual use, and be approved of the Lord while doing so?
Our Saviour speaks directly with reference to paying tithes. The following words are used by Him: “Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done [that is, they should have exercised judgment, mercy, and faith], and not to leave the other [paying of tithes] undone.” In this scripture Jesus actually says we should pay tithe. To keep back the tithe from the treasury of the Lord is doing what Christ forbids.
In Neh. 13:10–13 is an account of how laborers were compelled to leave the Lord’s vineyard and go to the fields to work that they might obtain temporal support. This condition of things was brought about by the failure of the people to bring in the tithe. Many to-day are doing what that people did then; that is, they are using the Lord’s tithe for selfish ends. And because they are doing this, laborers are kept out of the Lord’s vineyard. In the case cited above the Lord held the people accountable for their conduct; and as He is the same to-day that He was then, the people now are held responsible by Him for a like offense.
In 2 Chron. 31:4–10 the unfaithfulness of Israel in tithing is recorded. Also an account of their reformation is given. When they brought in the tithe, everything went well, and the people who did their duty in the matter had much larger stores left over than they had while they were robbing the Lord. Please study this reference before leaving the subject.
In a communication from Sister White, written Sept. 10, 1896, are found the following words: “Let the neglected tithes be brought in. Let the new year open upon you as honest men in715their deal with God. Let those who have withheld their tithes send them in before the year 1896 shall close, that they may be right with God, and never, never again run any risk of being cursed of God. Presidents of Conferences, do your duty. Speak not your own words, but the plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Elders of churches, do your duty. Labor from house to house that the flock of God shall not be remiss in that great matter which involves such a blessing or such a curse.”
In November of the same year she again writes upon the subject of tithing, and says: “The Lord created every tree in Eden pleasant to the eyes and good for food, and He bade Adam and Eve freely enjoy His bounties. But He made one exception. Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they were not to eat. This tree God reserved as a constant reminder of His ownership of all. Thus He gave them an opportunity to demonstrate their faithfulness and trust in Him and their perfect obedience to His requirements. . . . So it is with God’s claims upon us. He places His treasures in the hands of humanity, but requires that one tenth shall be faithfully laid aside for his work. He teaches the lesson that He requires this part to be placed in His treasury. It is to be rendered to Him as His own; it is to be sacred, and is to be used for sacred purposes, for the support of those who carry the message of salvation to all parts of the world. He reserves this portion that means may ever be flowing into His treasure-house, and that the light of truth may be carried to those who are nigh and those who are afar off. By faithfully obeying this requirement we prove that we realize that all belongs to God.
“And has not the Lord a right to demand this much of us? Did He not give us His only begotten Son because He loved us and desired to save us from death? And shall not our gratitude-offerings flow into the Lord’s treasury to be drawn therefrom to advance His kingdom in the earth? God is the owner of all our goods, and shall not gratitude to Him prompt us to make freewill offerings and thank offerings, thus acknowledging His ownership of soul, body, spirit, and property? Had God’s plan been followed, means would now be flowing into His treasury, and funds to enable the ministers to enter new fields and workers to unite with ministers to lift up the standard of truth in the dark places of the earth would be abundant. . . . Those who claim that they cannot see this to be their duty reveal to the heavenly universe, to the Church, and to the world, that they do not want to see this plainly stated requirement.”
“God lays His hand upon all man’s possessions, saying, I am the owner of the universe, and these goods are mine. The tithe you have withheld I reserved for the support of my servants in the work of opening the Scriptures to those who are in the regions of darkness, who do not understand my law. In using my reserve fund to gratify your own desires, you have robbed souls of the light which I have made provision they should receive. You have had opportunity to show loyalty to me, but you have not done so. You have robbed me, for you have stolen my reserve fund. Ye are cursed with a curse.”
Brethren and sisters, though these things were written five years ago, they describe a condition which prevails to quite an extent at this time. Many are withholding the tithe from the Lord’s treasury, and what the Lord has said with reference to robbing Him and His cause in this way is just as applicable, at the present time, to the people who are doing it as it ever was to any people in the world. If the Lord was displeased with this course in times past, He is displeased with it at the present time. If the cause was injured or crippled in times past because the tithe was withheld, it is also injured and crippled now because it is withheld by many.
Can there be any reason for this condition of things save in the unbelief of those who profess to be God’s people? If all would faithfully trust the Lord, and perform that which He has advised, there would be no loss experienced by any in rendering obedience. God’s blessings abundantly flow to all who are faithful in His work; while, on the other hand, He positively states that His disapproval is upon those who neglect these things. This is a sad condition, and should be remedied. The Lord wants to bless His people, and He does let blessings flow abundantly to all who trust Him. Very many blessings come to the unfaithful, but this is because of the Lord’s love, and not because He approves of unfaithfulness.