Why the Apostles Were Silent on Tithing

Direct evidence shows that the apostles' silence regarding tithing was not due to its abolition, but rather because the duty was so firmly established by divine command and the example of Christ that further mention was unnecessaryHDTG 58.1.

The Foundations of Tithing

The practice of returning a tenth to God remains in force because the original reasons for the system continue to exist todayHDTG 58.1. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God Exodus 20:10. Just as God reserved a specific portion of man’s time, He also reserved a specified portion of man's means, and neither can be appropriated for personal interest without guiltPP 525.5. During His earthly ministry, Jesus explicitly taught the necessity of tithingHDTG 58.1. He rebuked the Pharisees for neglecting the weightier matters of the law but affirmed that they should not leave the tithing of even small herbs undone Matthew 23:23.

Apostolic Stewardship and Sacrifice

While the specific word "tithe" may be absent from certain apostolic writings, the principles taught by the apostles often called for a level of devotion that exceeded a mere tenthHDTG 58.1.

• Total Consecration: The teachings of Christ and the apostles, if followed strictly, lead believers to sacrifice not just a tithe, but all their possessions for the cause of GodHDTG 58.1.

• Systematic Giving: Paul instructed the churches to lay aside funds individually on the first day of the week as God had prospered them 1 Corinthians 16:2CCh 274.4.

• United Purpose: In the early church, the Holy Spirit made the multitude of believers to be of one heart and one soulHM November 1, 1893, Art. A, par. 17. They felt that none of the things they possessed were their ownHST June 12, 1844, page 147.16.

The Continuity of the Requirement

A divine command from God remains in force forever unless it is specifically countermandedHDTG 58.1. Because the work of the gospel in the Christian era is more extensive than the work in the Jewish economy, the responsibility and need for means are even greater todayT29 125.1. The Lord continues to require all tithes to be brought into the storehouse so that there may be "meat" or resources in His house to sustain those bearing His message Malachi 3:10CS 103.2+1. Those who withhold what God has claimed as His own are regarded as robbing their Creator Malachi 3:83T 411.2+1. Rather than being a matter of mere choice, returning the tithe is an act of simple honesty and a recognition of God as the giver of all thingsTEd 84.2+2.

If we have reasoning powers, we can see that God’s requirements are plain, and neglecting them leaves one without excuseST January 13, 1890, par. 5+1. The gospel must go to the uttermost parts of the earth, and the tithing system is the beautiful, divine plan to make this enterprise self-sustainingCCh 274.4+1.