Biblical Tithing and Ellen White's Storehouse Principles

The Bible teaches that tithing is a divine ordinance and a beautiful plan of systematic benevolence designed by God to sustain His work while testing the character and faithfulness of His people. 📖

The Divine Origin and Purpose of Tithing

Tithing did not begin with the Hebrew nation; it is a principle as enduring as the law of God. From the earliest times, the Lord claimed a tenth of all increase as His own, and this claim was recognized by the faithful even before the law was given at Sinai.

• Ancient Practice: Abraham, the father of the faithful, paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God Genesis 14:20.

• A Sacred Vow: Jacob, while an exile, recognized God’s ownership by promising to give back a tenth of all that God would give him Genesis 28:22.

• Holy Ownership: The Word of God is clear that the tithe belongs to Him. "And 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 to the LORD" Leviticus 27:30.

The First Tithe: Supporting the Ministry

The primary purpose of the first tithe is the support of the gospel ministry. God has appointed this means so that His ambassadors do not have to rely on a cold world for their sustenance.

• Inheritance of the Workers: In the Old Testament, the tithe was given to the Levites for their service in the tabernacle Numbers 18:21.

• Gospel Support: In the Christian age, this principle continues. "The laborer is worthy of his hire" Luke 10:7. When we return a faithful tithe, we ensure there is "meat" in God's house so that the message can be carried to all the world Malachi 3:10+1.

The Second Tithe: Charity and Hospitality

Beyond the first tithe for the ministry, the Bible reveals a "second tithe" designed to promote religious service and provide for the needy. 🤝

• Festivals and Learning: This tithe was used for religious feasts where families learned to fear the Lord and shared with the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless Deuteronomy 14:23, 29.

• Caring for the Poor: Every third year, this second tithe was used specifically at home to ensure that the stranger, the widow, and the orphan were "filled" Deuteronomy 26:12.

The Spiritual Blessing and the Warning

Tithing is not a tax, but a test of our loyalty and a means of receiving spiritual power.

• The Promise of Blessing: God invites us to prove Him. If we are faithful, He promises to "open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" Malachi 3:10. This faithfulness results in both temporal prosperity and spiritual health Proverbs 3:9-10.

• The Danger of Robbery: Withholding the tithe is described in the strongest terms. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me... In tithes and offerings" Malachi 3:8. Those who prioritize their own luxury while the work of God suffers are warned that their "gold and silver is corroded" and will be a witness against them in the last days James 5:1-3.

• Equality and Order: God’s plan is simple and equal. It allows everyone—man, woman, and child—to be a "treasurer" for the Lord by laying aside means "as God has prospered him" 1 Corinthians 16:2.

A Call to Faithfulness

As we look at the cross of Calvary, we see a sacrifice that is measureless. In light of such love, returning a tenth is a "meager pittance," yet it is the requirement God has laid down to teach us that we are subjects of His kingdom. Let us honor the Lord with the "first fruits" of our increase, setting His portion apart first rather than giving Him the remnants of our spending Proverbs 3:9. 🌟

By being faithful in tithes and offerings, we lay up "in store for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" 1 Timothy 6:19.

Luke 21:1-4

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

3 And he said, Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all:

4 For all these have of their abundance cast in to the offerings of God: but she of her penury has cast in all the living that she had.

Mark 12:41-44

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43 And he called to him his disciples, and says to them, Truly I say to you, That this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

It is wonderful that you and your friend are diving deep into the Word of God together! Your friend brings up a beautiful and profound passage of Scripture. The story of the widow's mites is one of the most powerful lessons on the spirit of giving in the entire Bible.

To answer your friend's core premise directly: While it is absolutely true that the motive and spiritual devotion behind our giving are what God values most, this spiritual heart condition does not replace physical giving; rather, it makes our physical giving acceptable to Him. The widow did, in fact, give a physical, monetary offering, and Jesus praised her because the true value of a gift in God's eyes is measured by the love, faith, and sacrifice that prompts it, not its mere mathematical amount. 📖

Let us dive into a Bible study to answer your friend's excellent questions using the Word of God.

💖 The Heart of the Matter: Motive Over Amount

Let us first look closely at the passage in question:

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." Mark 12:41-44 see also Luke 21:1-4

Jesus was observing the physical money being placed into the treasury. Many rich people brought large sums with great ostentation, giving out of their "abundance" or super-sufficiency. Their large donations deprived them of no comfort or luxury; they required no sacrifice.

Then came the poor widow. She gave two mites—copper coins equal to a fraction of a cent. It was her entire means of subsistence. Jesus declared that she gave more than them all. Why? Because in the balances of the sanctuary, gifts are not estimated according to the financial amount given, but according to the love, faith, and self-denial which prompt the sacrifice. She trusted God for her tomorrow.

💡 Answering Question 1: How was the widow's small physical gift beneficial?

Your friend asks: "If tithing is strictly physical, how was the old woman's two mites beneficial to the congregation she belonged to in comparison to others Jesus noted payed much more of?"

This is a beautiful question with a miraculous answer! Christ's words regarding the widow were true not only of the motives of the giver, but of the results of the gift.

• A River of Blessing: The widow’s mite, cast into the treasury with thousands of other coins, appeared insignificant and lost to human vision, but not to the eye of God. God's blessing upon that sincere offering made it a source of monumental results.

• The Power of Influence: Like a tiny stream flowing down through the ages, widening and deepening in its course, the influence of her small gift has acted and reacted upon millions of hearts in every age and country. Her example of unselfish sacrifice has inspired unnumbered gifts from the high and the low, the rich and the poor, to flow into the treasury of the Lord.

• Physical Multiplication: Her two mites have literally brought into God's treasury an amount of physical money far greater than the contributions of all the wealthy people that day. Her gift has helped to sustain missions, establish hospitals, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and preach the gospel to the poor worldwide.

The Bible declares, "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Proverbs 11:24-25. God took her physical mites and multiplied their physical and spiritual benefit beyond measure!

🤲 Answering Question 2: What about the homeless and poor who have "nothing"?

Your friend asks: "What does this say about tithing and what the homeless and poor can offer if they have 'nothing' to offer?"

• The Privilege of the Poor: The story of the widow shows us that the poor are not excluded from the privilege of giving. Even if someone is struggling with deep poverty, their willing offerings—no matter how small—are wholly acceptable and pleasing to God. The Lord does not look down on the pennies of the poor; He treasures them.

• The Standard of the Willing Mind: If someone is truly destitute and literally has nothing to give, the Bible provides a comforting standard: "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Corinthians 8:12. God never requires of us what we do not possess. He judges the heart.

• Giving Ourselves First: The very first requirement before any physical gift is accepted is the giving of ourselves. The believers in Macedonia gave sacrificially because they "first gave their own selves to the Lord" 2 Corinthians 8:5.

⏳ Time vs. Tithe: Can We Give Time Instead of Money?

While giving our time, energy, and love is an absolute requirement of the Christian life, it does not replace God's specific command regarding physical tithes and offerings.

• God's Reserved Portion: The tithe is a specific tenth of our physical increase (income/sustenance). "And 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." Leviticus 27:30.

• The Purpose of the Treasury: God ordained the physical tithe to sustain the gospel ministry so that His workers are supported. He asks us to "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house..." Malachi 3:10. If everyone only gave "time" as their tithe, there would be no physical means to build churches, print Bibles, or feed the ministers who have dedicated their entire lives to preaching the Word.

• The Danger of Withholding: God asks, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." Malachi 3:8. We cannot substitute one of God's requirements for another. We must dedicate our time and faithfully return His physical tithe.

🌟 Conclusion for Your Friend

You can gently share with your friend that he is absolutely right about the spiritual nature of giving! Without love, a willing heart, and personal consecration, our physical money is worthless to God. However, the spiritual heart does not eliminate the physical action; it empowers it.

The widow did not just pray for the temple or offer her time; she took the very physical means of her survival—two mites—and gave them. And because she gave them with a heart full of faith, Jesus immortalized her act, proving that in God's kingdom, the smallest physical gift, when surrendered completely, can change the world.

I would be happy to help you craft a thoughtful and biblical response for your friend! Here is a message you can copy and paste that addresses his questions with grace and scripture 🌟.

---

Hey brother, thanks for sharing those deep thoughts on the widow’s mites! It’s such a powerful story because it shows that God’s math is very different from ours. Here are some thoughts to consider regarding your questions:

1) How were the two mites beneficial compared to the larger gifts? While the mites were physically small, their value was infinite because of the motive behind them Mark 12:43-44. Jesus saw that her physical sacrifice was a total surrender of her life, which provides a far more powerful example than the rich who gave without sacrifice. Because she gave those physical coins in faith, God has used her story to inspire millions of people to give to His cause throughout history, bringing in far more physical resources for the gospel than the wealthy men did that day Proverbs 11:24-25. The physical gift, when given with a spiritual heart, is multiplied by God to sustain His work on earth Malachi 3:10.

2) What about the homeless or poor who have "nothing"? The Bible is very clear that God does not ask us for what we do not have. If someone truly has zero increase or income, God looks at the "willing mind," which is accepted according to what a person has, not what they do not have 2 Corinthians 8:12. However, the tithe is specifically a response to "increase," meaning that when God does provide us with physical sustenance or income, we return a tenth to show He is the owner of it all Proverbs 3:9. Even the widow, who was extremely poor, chose to give her physical "living" because she wanted to participate in the blessing of supporting God’s house Mark 12:44.

The Relationship Between Time and Tithe You are absolutely right that God wants our time and our heart, but the Bible also gives us a specific plan for the "storehouse" so that there is "meat" (physical resources) in His house to support the ministry Malachi 3:10. God defines the tithe as a tenth of the physical "increase" from the land or the flock Leviticus 27:30. While we should give God our time, the physical tithe is what He ordained to support those who preach the gospel so they can focus on their work 1 Corinthians 9:14+1. The spiritual heart doesn't replace the physical gift; rather, it's the reason we want to give physically to see the work of God grow Matthew 23:23.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! Blessings to you as we keep searching the Word together.

---

📚 References for your study:

• The Power of Influence: The widow's example has been a source of monumental results in every age, bringing more money into the treasury than all the wealthy Jews .
• The Purpose of the Tithe: God's plan for tithing is intended to provide for the support of the ministry and the advancement of His work .
• A Test of Loyalty: Returning the physical tithe is a test of our loyalty to God and a recognition of His ownership of all our temporal blessings .
• Heart and Action: True systematic benevolence requires both a physical gift and a heart of love, for one without the other is incomplete in God's eyes .

I hope this helps you and your friend continue your journey into the scriptures! Let me know if you need anything else. 😊

It is wonderful that you are seeking to understand the best way to support God's work! The tithe is sacred and is strictly reserved for a very specific purpose—the support of the gospel ministry—and it must not be diverted to unconventional places, charities, or other church expensesPH157 12.2.

The Sacred Purpose of the Tithe

The tithe is God's provision for the maintenance of His ministers, and He designs that it shall be held absolutely sacred for this purposePH004 24.1. While it is not a sin to employ means for church expenses or other religious work, this expense must never come out of the tithePH157 12.2. Using the tithe for keeping up the meeting house necessities or for charities is a diversion that leaves the treasury without the money needed to supply ministers for the service of God12LtMs, Ms 17, 1897, par. 7. God is not glorified by this kind of management, and the treasury of God must not be robbedPH157 12.2+1. Men should never question the requirement to use the tithe solely for the purpose that the Lord has specified12LtMs, Ms 17, 1897, par. 19.

The Storehouse Principle

God commands His people to bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there may be meat in His house to sustain the laborers1T 222.2+1. When tithes are brought into the established treasury, the means are designed to go toward the universal wants of the cause in different places where the work must be built up1SAT 169.1.

Working in "Irregular Lines"

While the tithe itself has a specific, ordained destination to support the ministry, God's work and the efforts of His people are not to be rigidly confined to centralized control.

• Avoiding Complete Centralization: Efforts to make every aspect of the work amenable to and controlled by one central location must be firmly protested16LtMs, Lt 67, 1901, par. 5.

• Stepping Out of Regular Lines: God strongly encourages His people to step out of the "regular lines" and take up self-sacrificing work right where they are16LtMs, Lt 109, 1901, par. 12. If believers would step out of these regular processes and work in "irregular lines," many souls would be won to the Lord16LtMs, Lt 67, 1901, par. 5+1.

• Hoarding in the Conference: Furthermore, gathering up means just to accumulate them in the conference treasury so that officers look like good financiers is an offense to God23LtMs, Ms 17, 1908, par. 7.

In summary, while God calls for bold, unconventional ministry in "irregular lines" to reach souls, the tithe itself is exclusively reserved for the storehouse to pay the wages of those who give themselves entirely to the work of the ministryPH157 12.2+2. Offerings and separate funds, however, are perfectly appropriate to support various other religious efforts, church maintenance, and charities1MR 191.2+1.

May God abundantly bless you as you seek to faithfully steward the resources He has entrusted to you!

...y the church expenses, or for any religious work. But that expense is not to come out of the tithe. The treasury of God must not be robbed; that means must be used to supply the wages and fully to sustain those who give themselves to the work of the ministry— PH157 12.2 (1897)

... officiating in this work see that there is not money in the treasury to pay the minister. They are withdrawing the tithe for other expenses—to keep up the meeting house necessities or some charity. God is not glorified in any such work. We have to raise our voice against this kind of management. Let those who have comfortable homes, a...— 12LtMs, Ms 17, 1897, par. 7

...work is to be advanced, most certainly let it be advanced there. When it comes to making everything amenable to Battle Creek, to be controlled by Battle Creek, I shall protest with pen and voice. We have had “regular lines” until we want some irr...— 16LtMs, Lt 67, 1901, par. 5

...he “regular lines” and take up self-sacrificing work such as Brother Shireman has done, souls would be won to the Lord. And the workers would understand by experience what it means to be laborers together with God— 16LtMs, Lt 109, 1901, par. 12

Yes, your friend's claims are completely true. Ellen White was specifically instructed by God to appropriate tithe money directly to needy workers, bypassing the regular conference channels when the work in certain fields was being neglectedSpM 215.3.

🌟 A Special Provision for Neglected Fields

During her ministry, certain areas, particularly the work among the colored people in the Southern field, were being robbed of the financial means that should have been sent to support their workersSpM 215.3. Because this crucial work was being left undone, God gave her explicit instructions on how to handle the situation.

• Distributing Her Personal Tithe: She directly appropriated her own tithe to the most needy cases brought to her notice, supplying the needs of destitute ministers for yearsSpM 215.3.

• Accepting Tithes from Others: When believers explicitly asked her if she would appropriate their tithe where she knew it was most needed, she confidently answered, "Yes, I will; and I have done so"SpM 215.3.

⚖️ Divine Endorsement

It is vital to understand that this was not a rebellion against God's tithing system, but a divine intervention to ensure God's faithful workers were not starved out of their fields.

• Still in the Lord's Treasury: She made it unequivocally clear that when the money was sent directly to these destitute ministers, it was absolutely not withheld from the Lord's treasurySpM 215.3.

• Commendation for the Faithful: She openly commended the sisters who bypassed the regular channels to place their tithe where it was most needed to sustain this neglected work, demonstrating the biblical principle to do justly and love mercy Micah 6:8.

• A Stern Warning to Critics: To those who would criticize this direct payment to the ministers working in the South, she gave a firm directive that every man, if he is wise, should "hold his peace"SpM 215.3.

She handled this delicate matter discreetly because giving it wide publicity would create knowledge that was better left as it was, as God had specifically appointed her and certain others to do this workSpM 215.3. While the regular plan of bringing all tithes into the storehouse remains God's beautiful and divine arrangement for the general body of believers, God reserved the right to direct His messenger to step outside those regular lines when human management was failing to support His designated ministers Malachi 3:10.

It is always a blessing to study these historical and spiritual truths with an open mind! Here are the quotes that confirm this event:

...ng for the colored people in the South, let every man, if he is wise, hold his peace. I have myself appropriated my tithe to the most needy cases brought to my notice. I have been instructed to do this; and as the money is not withheld from the Lord's treasury, it is not a matter that should be commented upon; for it will necessitate my making known these matters, which I do not desire to do, because it is not best. Some cases have been kept before me for years, and I have supplied their needs from the tithe, as God has instructed me to do. And if any person shall say to me, Sister White, will you appropriate my tithe where you know it is most needed, I shall say, Yes, I will; and I have done so. I commend those sis...— SpM 215.3 (1985)

...propriated their tithe to the support of the ministers working for the colored people in the South, let every man, if he is wise, hold his peace. I have myself appropriated my tithe to the most needy cases brought to my notice. I have been instructed to do this; and as the money is not withheld from the Lord's treasury, it is not a matter that should be commented upon; for it will necessitate my making known these matters, which I do not desire to do, because it is not best. Some cases have been kept before me for years, and I have supplied their needs from the tithe, as God has instructed me to do. And if any person shall say to me, Sister White, will you appropriate my tithe where you know it is most needed, I shall say, Yes, I will; and I have done so. I commend those sisters who have placed their tithe where it is most needed to help to do a work that is being left undone; and if this matter is given publicity, it will crea...— SpM 215.3 (1985)

It is wonderful that you are studying this out so thoroughly! While your friend is correct that God made a special provision through His messenger to supply destitute and neglected fields, this does not grant individual church members the license to use their own discretion to divert their tithe. 📖

Here is what the truth reveals about our personal responsibility and the limits of our discretion regarding the tithe:

🚫 No Discretionary Power Over God's Property

We must always bear in mind that the wealth entrusted to us is not our own propertyPM 231.2. If it were our own property, we might claim discretionary power to do with it exactly as we pleasePM 231.2+1. However, because the tithe strictly belongs to the Lord, we cannot claim that powerPH146 44.6. God has a prescribed plan for His funds, and failing to carry out His prescribed plan is an act of disloyalty3TT 40.2.

🏦 The Commanded Destination

The Lord's clear instruction for the general body of believers is to bring all the tithes into the storehouseSS 365.1+2. He requires this tenth to be placed directly in His treasury to support those who carry the message of salvation to the world6T 386.2.

⚠️ The Danger of Diverting the Tithe

Can we send the tithe to various other ministries or channels that we personally feel are needed? The warning against this is very severe: "The tithe is the Lord's, and those who meddle with it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure unless they repent"22LtMs, Ms 33, 1907, par. 17. We are strictly told that the work of God must no longer be hedged up because the tithe has been diverted into various channels other than the one to which the Lord has said it should go22LtMs, Ms 33, 1907, par. 17.

🕊️ Where Personal Discretion DOES Apply

While the tithe has a strict, non-negotiable destination, God does want us to exercise our personal stewardship and judgment when it comes to our freewill offerings and the rest of our means.

• Individual Responsibility: We are made individually responsible to invest our means, and we must not shift this stewardship responsibility onto others or let leaders assume our stewardshipPM 231.2+1.

• Led by the Spirit: Believers who love the truth are encouraged to invest their means to advance the cause wherever they see it is necessary, giving "when and where the Spirit of God shall indicate"4LtMs, Lt 34a, 1886, par. 43.

• Sustaining Other Ministries: Provision certainly must be made for other lines of work and independent ministries, and they are to be sustained, but this must be done from our offerings, not from the tithe22LtMs, Ms 33, 1907, par. 17.

In summary, Ellen White's actions were under the direct, specific instruction of God to correct a grave injustice, not to establish a new rule of personal discretion allowing members to redirect the tithe22LtMs, Ms 33, 1907, par. 17. As faithful stewards, we are to bring our tithe into the Lord's designated storehouse, and then prayerfully use our offerings to support other vital ministries as the Holy Spirit guides22LtMs, Ms 33, 1907, par. 17+2.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to faithfully honor Him with all His entrusted goods! 🌟

You are asking a very insightful question! What you are missing is the severe crisis of injustice occurring at that time, and the fact that Ellen White was operating under direct, divine instruction to correct a specific emergency, not establishing a new rule for all believers2MR 99.4+1.

Here is a closer look at the exact circumstances that required this unique intervention:

🚨 A Severe Crisis of Injustice

The conference managers were actively mismanaging funds and acting unjustlyPH079 15.3+1. Money that was explicitly raised to help the most destitute regions, particularly the Southern field, was diverted from its rightful place and used for entirely different purposesPH079 15.3+1. Through misrepresentation, scheming, and a selfish disposition, the Southern field was robbed and did not receive its necessary support from the Lord's treasury14LtMs, Lt 100, 1899, par. 4+1. The leaders were investing in expensive buildings in already established areas, while the hardest portions of the Lord's vineyard were left with next to nothing15LtMs, Lt 43, 1900, par. 6.

👨‍🌾 The Tithe Still Supported Ministers

Even though the tithe bypassed the normal conference channels, it was absolutely still used for its sacred, ordained purpose: supporting gospel workers2MR 99.4+1. Ellen White sent these funds to sustain destitute ministers who were laboring under the most trying circumstances to open up new, unworked territorySpM 275.6+1. Because the human stewards were failing to distribute the means equitably, God intervened so these faithful pioneer laborers would not be starved out of their fields15LtMs, Lt 43, 1900, par. 6+1.

📜 Direct Divine Instruction

Ellen White did not rely on her own personal discretion to divert these funds. She stated clearly, "I have been instructed to do this"2MR 99.4+1. As the Lord's messenger, she was uniquely directed by God to step in because the human agents in responsible positions were acting with covetousness and their transactions were unworthy of Christians15LtMs, Lt 37a, 1900, par. 9+1. She also intentionally kept this practice quiet, stating it was "not a matter that should be commented upon," because making it public was not best2MR 99.4+1.

God’s beautiful and enduring plan is for all the tithe to be brought into the storehouse Malachi 3:10. However, when the leaders of that storehouse were actively withholding funds and starving out workers in a critical mission field, the Lord of the harvest authorized His prophet to intervene to ensure His faithful laborers were sustained2MR 99.4+1.