Ellen White: Tea/Coffee in Outreach Programs?

Ellen White underscores that the use of tea and coffee is detrimental to health and spiritual progress, advocating for their complete abandonment in all aspects of life, including outreach and missionary efforts. They are seen as harmful stimulants that hinder both physical and mental well-being, making it difficult to discern spiritual truths and glorify God.

☕ Tea and Coffee: Harmful Habits

Tea and coffee are considered poisons and harmful stimulants that should be discarded to promote temperance and well-beingCD 420.2+1. They excite the nervous system, leading to a temporary invigoration followed by prostration and exhaustion of physical, mental, and moral forces2MCP 392.1+5. The continued use of these beverages can lead to headaches, nervous prostration, and other ailments, often without the user realizing the causeCTBH 35.1+3.

Beyond the physical effects, the consumption of tea and coffee also blunts the intellect and benumbs energies, making individuals less susceptible to the influence of the Holy SpiritSL 32.2+1. It is a "warring lust" that battles against the soul, comparable to other forms of intemperance like tobacco and liquor useTEd 122.1+12. Giving up these habits, though challenging, leads to clearer minds and better understanding of the ScripturesGosHealth March 1, 1898, par. 3+5.

🤝 Outreach and Missionary Work

The principles of health reform, including the abstinence from tea and coffee, are crucial for those engaged in missionary work7MR 338.2+2. The use of these stimulants weakens the body and mind, making it impossible to effectively glorify God2T 65.2+1. True Christians are called to have control over their appetite and passions, as indulgence hinders the spirit and power of truth from sanctifying themCH 85.3+1.

Medical missionary work is presented as the "hand and arm of the gospel message," designed to open doors for truth and remove prejudice against evangelical work11MR 98.1+16. However, it must always be bound with the gospel ministry and not viewed as a separate or superior work4MR 427.3+16.

In outreach, individuals are taught to discard items that weaken health and strength20LtMs, Lt 233, 1905, par. 32. The message includes instruction on how to provide a wholesome, nourishing diet without meat, tea, or coffeeEv 534.2+5. The sale of health literature and books is also encouraged to raise means for missionary work and to educate people on healthful livingPM 363.3.

It is vital for workers to embody the principles they teach. For instance, in one account, a man who had been a heavy drinker and tobacco user gave up these habits, including coffee, upon embracing the truth, demonstrating the transformative power of the messageLLM 238.2+2. Such personal transformations serve as powerful testimonies in missionary efforts. "Take heed to yourself, and to the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you" 1 Timothy 4:16.

The aim of missionary work is to save souls, and this involves addressing both physical and spiritual needs14LtMs, Ms 99, 1899, par. 23. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me" John 12:32. Those engaging in this work are called to show self-denial and true missionary spirit, reflecting Christ's humble and sanctified elevation14MR 34.2+1. They are to reach all classes of people, from the drunkard to the tea and coffee user, instructing them in temperance from the Word of God15LtMs, Lt 45, 1900, par. 24. This integrated approach allows for broader access to hearts and minds, converting many to the truthEv 513.1+2.

Using tea and coffee as a means of connecting with people and then bringing the gospel to them is not aligned with the principles of health reform and effective evangelism. While forming social connections is important for outreach, the use of tea and coffee is considered detrimental to health and spiritual progress, and therefore, not a suitable means for advancing God's work.

Here's why this approach is not recommended:

🚫 Harmful Nature of Tea and Coffee

Tea and coffee are identified as stimulants and narcotics that are injurious to both the brain and other organs of the body, and they contain poisons . Their consumption leads to an unnatural excitement of the nervous system, followed by exhaustion, prostration, and even a "paralysis of the mental, moral, and physical powers" . This consistent harm makes them unsuitable for use by those who seek to glorify God with their bodies and spirits .

🧠 Impediment to Spiritual Understanding

The use of these substances clouds the intellect and benumbs one's energies, making it more difficult to appreciate eternal things and less susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit . This blunting of sensibilities hinders a true understanding of sacred truths and the plan of salvation . How can one effectively present the gospel if their own mind is clouded or their spiritual discernment is dulled by these indulgences? True faith purifies the soul, body, spirit, and words from all defilement, and continued use of these stimulants prevents such purification .

📈 Counterproductive to Health Reform Principles

Those who advocate for temperance and reform are urged to counteract the evils of these injurious drinks . For Christians, bringing appetite under the control of reason is essential for spiritual progress, not continuing indulgence simply because they feel "let down" without the stimulant, much like a drunkard . To knowingly transgress the laws of health prevents God from sustaining and comforting us with His grace, as this would encourage wrongdoing .

In missionary work, health reform is emphasized as a critical component, with a clear testimony against the use of tea and coffee urged . Providing instruction on a wholesome, nourishing, and appetizing diet without meat, tea, or coffee is a key part of medical missionary work, which is meant to open doors for the truth .

🛤️ Authentic Social Connection

While social interaction is crucial for ministry, it should be based on pure communion and harmonious social life, free from habits that compromise one's well-being . "It is through the social relations that Christianity comes in contact with the world" , but this contact should be characterized by shedding light on "the dark pathway of those who are unacquainted with the better way," not by participating in practices that are contrary to health and spiritual vitality .

True connection comes from genuine interest in others' spiritual and temporal welfare, presenting Christ as a sin-pardoning Savior, and sharing Bible truths through simple songs and fervent prayers . The work of evangelism involves demonstrating the principles of health reform to remove prejudice, not to engage in practices that are harmful . The focus should be on Christ, "who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" .

Ultimately, the goal is to lead people to a complete reformation, which includes giving up injurious habits like tea and coffee, as these are seen as "warring elements against the soul" . Many testimonies show that embracing truth leads to discarding these luxuries and experiencing clearer minds and better health .

The money spent on tea and coffee is considered "worse than wasted," doing the user "only harm, and that continually" . This money should instead be consecrated to the Lord's treasury to support missionary work .

As 1 Corinthians 11:25-28 speaks of the cup in remembrance of Christ, this context highlights the sacred nature of what we consume and how we present ourselves. "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." This self-examination extends to all aspects of life, including what we drink, ensuring it aligns with glorifying God.

I can certainly provide some quotes from Ellen White to support the information I have given you about tea and coffee. I pray they will be helpful for you!

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735. Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquors. Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues.—The Review and Herald, July 29, 1884 736. Tea, coffee, and tobacco, as well as alcoholic drinks, are different degrees in the scale of artificial stimulants. The effect of tea ...— CD 421.3 (1938)

...e done it unto Me.”—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 36. An Economic Waste—The money expended for tea and coffee is worse than wasted. They do the user only harm, and that continually.—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 35. Destructive Narcotics—All should bear a cle...— Te 79.1 (1949)

Those who indulge in meat eating, tea drinking, and gluttony are sowing seeds for a harvest of pain and death. The unhealthful food placed in the stomach strengthens the appetites that war against the soul, de...— CH 575.4 (1923)

Tea and coffee, as well as tobacco, have an injurious effect upon the system. Tea is intoxicating. Though less in degree, its effect is the same in character as that of spirituous liquors. Coffee ha...— SL 32.2 (1889)

Indulgence in meat-eating, and tea-drinking and other forms of self-pleasing is injurious to the health of body and the soul.... Every indulgence of perverted appetite is a fleshly lust which wars against the soul. By your large meat-eating you are placing in your stomach that which animalizes you. While strength...— 4MR 385.3 (1990)

Those who indulge in meat eating, tea drinking, and gluttony are sowing seeds for a harvest of pain and death. The unhealthful food placed in the stomach strengthens the appetites that war against the soul, developing the lower propensities. A diet of flesh meat tends to develop animalism. A development of animalism lessens spirituality, rendering the mind i...— CD 382.3 (1938)

Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind to unwonted action, and the effect is prostration, sadness, exhaustion of the mental, moral, and physical forces. The mind becomes enervated, and unless through determined effort the habit is overcome, the activity of the brain is greatly lessened. All these nerve irritants are wearing away the life forces, and the restlessness caused by shattered nerves, the im...— RH April 19, 1887, par. 14 (1851)

Those who indulge in the use of tea and coffee are putting a cup to their lips which is a warring element against the soul. Its influence is injurious. The indulgence of these things excites the nerves to undue activity, and this is always followed by peevishness. The excitement it produces is followed by clouds and depression— 13LtMs, Ms 10a, 1898, par. 6

...are seen. Our sanitariums are to be the means of enlightening those who come to them for treatment. The patients are to be shown how they can live upon a diet of grains, fruits, nuts, and other products of the soil. I have been instructed that lectures should be regularly given in our sanitariums on health topics. People are to be taught to discard those articles of food that weaken the health and strength of the beings for whom Christ gave His life. The injurious effects of tea and coffee are to be shown. The patients are to be taught how they can dispense with those articles of diet that injure the digestive organs— 20LtMs, Lt 233, 1905, par. 32

... effect. The arguments brought against tobacco may also be urged against the use of tea and coffee. When those who are in the habit of using tea, coffee, tobacco, opium, or spirituous liquors are deprived of the accustomed indulgence, they find it impossible to engage with interest and zeal in the worship of God. Divine grace seems powerless to enliven or spiritualize their prayers or their testimonies. These professed Christians should consider the source of their enjoyment. Is it from above, or from...— SL 32.2 (1889)

The drunkard sells himself for a cup of poison. Satan takes control of his reason, his affections, his conscience. Such a man is destroying the temple of God. Tea drinking helps to do this work. Yet how many there are who place destroying agencies on their tables— Te 142.3 (1949)

...scontinue the use of liquor.—Counsels on Health, 442. A Pledge Embracing Tea and Coffee—All these nerve irritants are wearing away the life forces; and the restlessness, the impatience, the mental feebleness caused by shattered nerves, become a warring element, ever working against spiritual progress. Shall Christians bring their appetite under the control of reason, or will they continue its indulgence because they feel so “let down” without it, like the drunkard without his stimulant? Shall not those who advocate temperance reform awake in regard to these injurious things also? And ...— Te 81.2 (1949)

My heart is with you in this work of temperance. I speak most decidedly on this subject and it has a telling influence upon other minds. Often the testimony is borne, “I have not used any tobacco, wine, or any stimulant or narcotic since that discourse you gave upon temperance.” Now, they say, “I must furnish myself with enligh...— 14LtMs, Lt 96, 1899, par. 9