History and Continuity of Tithing in the Christian Era

Tithing in the Christian era is a practice rooted in the life of faith established by Abraham and continued as a perpetual obligation to Christ’s priesthoodTDOC 249.2+1. While some suggest it was a temporary Jewish ordinance, tithing actually predates the Mosaic system and remains an essential part of Christian stewardship todayCS 69.1+1.

The Scriptural Basis and Continuity

• A Perpetual Principle: Tithing is associated with a perpetual priesthood; since Abraham, the "father of the faithful," practiced it through grace and faith, it remains a duty for those living under the dispensation of grace Genesis 14:18-20+1TDOC 249.2.

• Pre-dating the Law: The system reaches back to the very beginning of human history, even to the days of Adam, and was later carried out by patriarchs like Abraham and Jacob long before the formal Levitical law existed Genesis 26:5CS 69.1+2.

• The Melchizedek Connection: Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, which serves as the biblical model for giving tithes to Christ, our high priest after the same order Hebrews 7:1-6TDOC 249.2+1.

Purpose and Management in the Church

• Support of the Ministry: Throughout history, the primary design of the tithe has been the support of the ministry and the advancement of the gospel messageHDTG 20.1+1.

• Modern Organizational Growth: In recent history, faithful tithe-paying has directly enabled the expansion of the mission, the building of churches, and the establishment of schools and sanitariumsLLM 28.5+2.

• Institutional Support: Within the organized church, tithes are often shared between local conferences and the General Conference to support workers in foreign fields and sustain mission operations worldwideGCDB March 8, 1891, page 21.7+2.

Spiritual Implications of Tithing

• A Test of Loyalty: God keeps a record of all gifts entrusted to His people, and withholding tithes is regarded as a "robbery" of God that affects one's spiritual experience Malachi 3:81SAT 181.3+2.

• Confession and Restitution: There are numerous accounts of individuals who, after neglecting their tithes for years, found spiritual renewal and peace only after making restitution to the Lord’s treasury3MR 189.4+2.

• The Remedy for Selfishness: Paying tithes is a safeguard against the "love of money" and helps believers transfer their affections to the eternal inheritance, laying up treasure in heaven 1 Timothy 6:10CS 151.2+2.

The Final Message

In these "last days," as the church prepares for the second coming of Christ, there is a call for every member to be imbued with a spirit of self-sacrifice 2 Timothy 3:1CS 36.3+1. When obligations are met faithfully, it opens the way for the world to hear the final message of mercy and hastens the coming of the Savior Matthew 24:14CS 36.3+1. Following the example of Christ, who became poor for our sake, believers are encouraged to use their resources to bless the needy and advance the cause of truth 2 Corinthians 8:9CS 161.3+1.

1 Corinthians 8

1 Now as touching things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.

2 And if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 However, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see you which have knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when you sin so against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 Why, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 9

1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?

2 If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord.

3 My answer to them that do examine me is this,

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7 Who goes a warfare any time at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?

8 Say I these things as a man? or says not the law the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn. Does God take care for oxen?

10 Or says he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that plows should plow in hope; and that he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 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?

14 Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done to me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid on me; yes, woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me.

18 What is my reward then? Truly that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more.

20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.

25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The apostle Paul’s decision to forgo his right to support in certain instances was a tactical choice for the sake of the gospel, not a cancellation of the divine system that supports the ministryGCDB February 6, 1893, page 161.4+1. While he acknowledged that the Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel, he occasionally chose to support himself through tentmaking to avoid being a burden to young churches or to provide an example of industryGCDB February 6, 1893, page 160.7+2.

The Right to Support and Paul’s Sacrifice

• A Divine Ordinance: Paul confirmed that the Lord has commanded that those who minister about holy things should be supported by the things of the temple, just as the Levitical priesthood lived on the tithes of the people Numbers 18:21GCDB February 6, 1893, page 160.7+1.

• Voluntary Forbearance: In his dealings with the Corinthian church, Paul did not use his rightful power to demand support, choosing instead to suffer privation so that the progress of the gospel would not be hinderedGCDB February 6, 1893, page 161.4+1.

• The Example of Christ: This spirit of self-sacrifice is modeled after Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, became poor for our sakes so that we might become rich through His poverty 2 Corinthians 8:95T 730.2+1.

• Vindicating the Gospel: Paul’s labor with his own hands in tentmaking was a demonstration of his noble nature; he would not stoop to free himself from bonds by a bribe nor appeal to the sympathy of converts for his own gainRH November 2, 1911, par. 21+1.

The Principles of Stewardship

• Not Our Own: Believers are bought with a price and are considered the "slaves of Jesus Christ," meaning that everything they acquire belongs to their Master 1 Corinthians 6:19-20HDTG 58.1+1.

• Systematic Benevolence: Paul established a regular order for giving, instructing every believer to "lay by him in store" on the first day of the week as God had prospered him 1 Corinthians 16:2SW October 2, 1906, par. 8+1.

• Private Reserve, Not Public Clink: This instruction was specifically for individuals to set aside funds at home so that no public collections or "gatherings" would be necessary when the apostle arrived 1 Corinthians 16:2ARSH June 24, 1852, page 27.27+1.

• A Test of Faithfulness: The payment of tithes and offerings is a test of character and loyalty to God’s ownership, and neglecting this duty is identified as robbery of God Malachi 3:8PM 111.3+1.

Responsibility Toward the Ministry

• Sacred Use of Funds: The tithe is a sacred portion reserved strictly for the support of ministers and missionaries who open the Scriptures to the people9T 51.3+2.

• Support for the Worthy: While the tithe is for the ministry, those whose efforts are feeble or who are not adapted to the work should not continue to be paid from this sacred fund17MR 305.1.

• Gospel Beneficence: Ministers have a responsibility to educate the church in the importance of returning to God His own, as the spiritual prosperity of the members depends on this fidelity5T 382.1.

• Equality in Giving: The goal of Christian giving is equality, where those with much have nothing over and those with little have no lack, ensuring the work can go forward in all parts of the world 2 Corinthians 8:14-15SITI January 25, 1883, page 41.11.

The Reward of the Faithful Steward

• Fruit of Labor: Paul looked forward to the joy of seeing the results of his work—the converts who would be his "crown of rejoicing" at the coming of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20Ed 70.1+1.

• Eternal Riches: By faithfully returning tithes and offerings, believers are laying up a good foundation for the future and laying hold on eternal life 1 Timothy 6:18-195T 382.1.

• Assurance of Victory: Despite the hardships and opposition Paul faced, he remained firm as a rock, knowing that his work was noted in heaven and the recompense could not fail 2 Timothy 4:7-8PM 399.4+1.

The early church was indeed characterized by a dedicated system of support for the gospel, which drew directly from the scriptural principles of tithes and systematic benevolenceAA 336.2. While the New Testament serves as the primary record of this apostolic age, historical and ecclesiastical testimonies confirm that the practice of returning a portion of one’s means to God continued long after the crossARSH September 13, 1898, page 586.5+1.

The Apostolic Precedent and Teaching

• Divine Ordination: Paul explicitly taught that the Lord had "ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel," a principle he connected directly to the support system for the ministry 1 Corinthians 9:14AA 336.2.

• The Laborer's Reward: This apostolic teaching reaffirmed that "the laborer is worthy of his reward," ensuring that those dedicated to the ministry were sustained by the believers 1 Timothy 5:18AA 336.2.

• Early Christian Purity: The primitive church of the first century was blessed with a double portion of the Spirit, and their simple faith led them to a level of sacrifice where they separated themselves from worldly riches to reflect the Divine ImageSSP 109.3.

• Unity and Commonality: Under the influence of the Spirit, the multitude of believers were of "one heart and of one soul," and they held their possessions in a manner that ensured great grace was upon them all Acts 4:31-331SG 12.3.

Historical Evidence of Continued Practice

• Evidence in the First Centuries: Ecclesiastical writers and ancient canons, such as the twenty-ninth canon of the Council of Laodicea, testify that Christians continued to observe the biblical Sabbath and the accompanying religious obligations for some time after the apostlesChSa 90.5.

• The "First Canon" Agreement: The voice of the universal church was unanimous from apostolic times regarding the authenticity of the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline epistles, which document the organizational methods of the early ministryHBS 78.1+1.

• Resisting Corruption: Though the "mystery of iniquity" began to work and later introduced false systems of ecclesiastical law, the original gifts and support structures were placed in the church to guard against such evilsPP 25.1+1.

• The Example of the Vaudois: Centuries later, the Vaudois churches maintained the purity of the apostolic age, with pastors who fed the flock and were sustained by the freewill offerings of the people, following the example of Paul the tentmaker when necessaryGC 68.1.

Spiritual Significance and Restoration

• A Link to the Early Rain: The book of Acts is an inspired record of the "early rain" and the working of the Holy Spirit, providing the standard for the church's condition and its support of the workARSH September 13, 1898, page 586.5+1.

• A Plan for Unity: The gifts of the Spirit, which include the principles of systematic giving, were designed to bring the church into unity and knowledge—a state that is being restored in the last days1SG 12.3.

• Preparation for the End: Just as the apostolic church was characterized by a spirit of sacrifice, the church today is called to return to these primitive principles to prepare the way for the Lord's returnLDE 158.2+1.

• The Gospel of the Ages: The plan for the obedience of faith among all nations, including the support of God's messengers, was foreordained before the foundation of the world and remains manifest through the scriptures of the prophets 1 Peter 1:19-20SITI September 10, 1896, page 564.7.