p. 2 | 3291.-An Honest Tithe by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 22, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 46.

3291.—An Honest Tithe

By Editor

I find a difference of opinion as to what is an honest tithe. For instance: A owns a ranch, keeps a team, a number of hens, hires more or less help, raises part of the feed consumed by the team and hens, and buys some. He also does more or less work with team for neighbors, for which he receives pay; and also sells eggs, etc., shipping them to market by rail. He consumes vegetables, fruit, etc., raised on the place; pays taxes, hired help, insurance, etc. How much, if any, of the expense for feed, help, taxes, etc., should be paid before tithing the proceeds? Should the vegetables, fruits, eggs, etc., consumed by the family be tithed?

God does not ask a tithe upon what is not increase. All that A receives from his ranch, the hire of his team, his hens, his grain, his fruit, his dairy, if he keeps one, is increase, or income. But it has cost him to produce this what he has paid in taxes, interest, hired help, for feed, etc., and this should be deducted from what he has received, and the tithe paid on the balance. His own labor should not be taken into account. One of the best ways of settling the tithing question is to count yourself a partner with God. One tenth of the income belongs to Him, for He so declares; nine tenths belong to us for our stewardship. In the running of our mutual business certain expenses are involved which belong to both parties, and both share these expenses in proportion to their receipts of the products. We almost said, in proportion to their respective investments. And this would be true in a worldly partnership; but with God He furnishes all, we are but His stewards. If we will look upon it in this way, we can the more easily solve the problems which arise. If in doubt, put yourself on the shorter side of the income. Ask honestly what you ought to receive in such case. Use the Golden Rule in dealing with God. In case of difficulty, give God the benefit of the doubt. He does not want the law of tithing to be to us a burden; but He would develop in us a keen sense of justice. He would have tithing to be a glad recognition, on our part, of our obligation to Him, our fellowship with Him, our dependence upon Him.