OBJECT OF TITHING by Walter L. Black

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1900

OBJECT OF TITHING.

By Walter L. Black

WALTER L. BLACK.

(Solomonville, Ariz.)

God’s purpose in requiring a tenth of our income, as clearly set forth in both the Old and the New Testament, is for the support of the ministry and the advancement of his work in the earth.

During the Old Testament times the real work of God was placed upon the Levites. They were to give their life exclusively to the Lord’s work. In Num. 16:9 a statement is made to this effect: “The God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them.” The Lord directly employed them, and made provision for their support. He paid them with his own money,—the tithe (Lev. 27:30),—which was due to him from the people. He says, “I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle.” Num. 18:21.

Some may say that this was the regulation of the Old Testament dispensation. I answer, Do we not have the same God and the same Jesus to serve as did Israel of old? True, there is much difference in the regulations of the services of the two dispensations; but the difference is always made clear by Holy Writ, when a change has been made from the old to the new. For example, the Jews manifested their faith by sacrificial offerings, suggesting the Redeemer to come; but when these types met their antitype in the death of Christ, was faith abolished?—No; the only things that ceased were the ceremonies and offerings by which they manifested their faith. This is expressly stated in Col. 2:11–18. Salvation by faith, the law of God, and all moral principles continue the same in this present dispensation.

Tithing is not a ceremony, and did not point forward to anything; hence it is one of those underlying principles of God’s truth that shall last as long as the work of God needs support in the earth. The obligation of tithing is just as binding upon the people of God to-day as in Old Testament times. It is true that professed Christians of to-day have rejected God’s way, and sought some other way, to support the ministry; but this does not destroy God’s plan, nor release anyone from obligation to accept it. If an honest tithe were paid by all who profess to be commandment-keepers, there would be no lack in the treasury to carry forward the message. How can we expect to see the work of God go with power till we quit robbing God? Neither may we expect to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; for the Lord says plainly that the Holy Spirit is given to all who obey him. Acts 5:32.

In Israel’s time, at the temple there was a treasury, or special storehouse, kept for the Lord’s tithe; and from this treasury all the Levites received their support. The apostle Paul would make us see this clearly when he says, “Do you 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?” 1 Cor. 9:13. This is the manner in which God’s ministers were supported in Old Testament times. Then he continues, in verse 14: “Even so [in like manner] hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

This manner of supporting the ministry can not be disregarded by Christians. It is New Testament doctrine, and is witnessing to our acts in this respect, for or against us. To reject this teaching is to condemn ourselves. God’s Spirit, through Malachi, says: “Will a man rob God? . . . Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Mal. 3:8. How can anyone withhold from the Lord his own, and hinder the gospel work? How can we act upon the words of Jesus, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2), and yet withhold the Lord’s support from his ministers?

In these times, when the truth of God is languishing, and the Macedonian cry, “Come over, . . . and help us,” is sounding from every land, surely God’s people should awake and come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

The teaching of Christ is pertinent upon this subject also. He came to this world as a reformer, denouncing hypocrisy and every false way; saying, “Every plant, which my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Matt. 15:13. He came, breaking down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile, giving to the world one and the same great truth to guide them to eternal life. In denouncing the Pharisees, upon one occasion he said, “Ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42. In this he showed them that they were not consistent in their religious practices; and not only to them did he show this, but to all who should in any way follow their example. One duty can never supplant another. It takes both the greater and lesser duties to make one complete in Christ. He says, of the greater duties, These “ought ye to have done;” and of the lesser ones, Ye ought not to leave them undone.

Some may think from this that tithing is of lesser obligation than many other truths enunciated by Christ; but let us study further and see. In the text he is not speaking of tithing in general; but, to illustrate to their minds their

inconsistency, he begins with herbs, the minor things of the garden, things of the least value to sustain life. Mint, rue, and anise were used for seasoning food, or for medicinal purposes, and required a very small corner in the garden. In regard to tithing the least things of the garden, he says, “Ye ought not to leave it undone.” Since this is true of the least things to be tithed, how about the more important things, the produce of our labor in general,—the fruits, grains, and the increase of the herd,—things necessary to sustain the laborer in God’s employ?

Language can scarcely make tithing more obligatory upon all who follow the teachings of Christ than does the lesson of this text. In rejecting this important truth, many are as inconsistent as were the Pharisees. They then rejected mercy, judgment, and the love of God; to-day, professed Christians accept these, but will not render to the Lord his own in tithes.