p. 24 | Tithing a Bible Doctrine

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 9, 1914

Tithing a Bible Doctrine

THE following clear statement of the principle involved in the payment of tithes is made by a correspondent of the Christian Advocate, in the issue of that journal for March 19, 1914:—

“Is tithing of man or of God? If, like the Sabbath, it be of God, why find fault with it? Are not arguments brought against it specious in character? One says, We are ‘not under law, but under grace.’ Does Paul anywhere teach that we are not under obligation to keep the moral law? Does the obligation of tithing come under the ceremonial or under the moral law? With what crime does God charge those that withhold their tithes and offerings? Is not a robber a violator of a moral law?

“Where did Jesus condemn any one, rich or poor, for tithing? The tithing of even the self-righteous Pharisee was not condemned.

“The poor widow was commended, not because on account of her poverty she kept her ‘living’ for her own livelihood, but rather, because, notwithstanding her poverty, she contributed even more than her tithe.

“No Scriptural advocate of tithing holds that a man with an income of $100,000 or more should not, or need not, pay more than $10,000. The way for a thank offering is always open. But one tenth is the minimum he owes to the Lord. William Arthur called it the ‘backstop.’

“The difficulty in the tithing system is not in the financial inability of a few people, nor in the inequality of the system, but in man’s covetousness and in his lack of faith in God’s promises. Mal. 3: 10, 11, has a promise as well as a challenge. Why not conscientiously accept the challenge and ‘prove’ Him? If the rich must keep the Sabbath day holy, must they not also observe the law of the tithe? If the poor can afford to keep the Sabbath day holy, cannot they also afford to observe the law of the tithe? Indeed, is there not a special blessing promised to every one that shows faith in God by obedience to his requirements?

“As a system of finance for the church, tithing is very effective, and seldom, if ever, is it the poor that cry out against it more than against any other system. As a rule it is easier for a man or a woman to get the consent of the will to pay a tithe out of an income of $100 than for one with an income of $1,000,000 to pay a tithe of so large an income.

“O for a faith that will truly prove the Lord of hosts!”