Principles for Systematic Giving and Faithful Treasury Management

Systematic giving is the divine plan for sustaining the work of God, and it should be practiced as a regular habit rather than a sporadic impulsePH166 4.2+1. Giving based only on occasional feelings or urgent calls is an uncertain method that can be fluctuating and may even leave a bad impression on the mind1T 714.4+1.

The Purpose of Systematic Giving

• A Constant Test: God has arranged the plan of systematic benevolence to test and prove the heart, revealing whether the love of the world or the truth predominatesT06 19.3+1.

• Preventing Emotional Extremes: Relying on urgent calls at large meetings to replenish the treasury is not the best plan and can lead to a negative reaction among the peoplePUR December 4, 1902, page 3.10.

• Developing Character: When giving becomes a steady, regular habit, it acts as a safeguard against temptations to spend money on needless or extravagant thingsCSW 130.1+1.

• Spiritual Prosperity: Those who are the most systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God are found to be the most prosperous spirituallyRH December 15, 1874, par. 26.

Following the Divine Pattern

True benevolence should be constant and systematic, mirroring the steady, unfailing flow of goodness from Jehovah HimselfRH February 18, 1902, par. 15. The Bible provides a clear order for this, instructing that on the first day of the week, everyone should lay aside a portion as God has prospered them 1 Corinthians 16:1-21T 714.4. This practice ensures there is a constant supply in the treasury, flowing like a steady stream supplied by overflowing springsPH166 4.2.

Moving Beyond Duty and Impulse

Giving should not be done merely out of a sense of duty or because of an emotional plea, as such offerings do not bring a blessing to the giverGCDB February 23, 1897, page 117.2. Instead, it is a privilege to return to God a portion of the capital He has entrusted to us, showing that our interests are identified with those of the MasterPUR March 27, 1902, par. 17+1. Even the poor are encouraged to follow this systematic rule, as their small, regular gifts are wholly acceptable and often represent a greater sacrifice than the abundance given by the wealthyCSW 130.1+1.

The Danger of Withholding

Those who withhold what God claims through the tithing system or neglect their pledges often do so under a cloud of deception, not realizing that they are robbing God1TT 548.2+1. If everyone adopted this systematic plan, the cause of God would be free from financial embarrassment and the treasury would never be emptyPH166 4.2+1. We must remember that soon earthly money will depreciate suddenly, and only what has been invested in the salvation of souls will have eternal valueWM 266.1+1.

"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of you, and of your own have we given you" 1 Chronicles 29:14.

Treasurers who handle the sacred tithe must be individuals of integrity who manage these funds with the fear of God and strict adherence to established channelsCOOD 170.4+1. Handling tithe based on personal feelings or impulses is a serious abuse of office, as this money is consecrated for the support of the ministry and the advancement of God's work1MR 182.3+1.

Handling Tithe through Regular Channels

• Established Order: The tithe must be paid to the church treasurer, who then forwards it to the conference treasurer; this ensures that funds are distributed by order of the conference president and secretaryCOOD 170.4.

• Accountability and Auditing: It is essential that all accounts are audited so the church knows exactly how the tithe is used; paying tithe to someone whose account is not audited prevents proper oversightCOOD 170.4.

• Prohibition of Direct Payments: Regulations exist to prevent ministers or individuals from receiving tithes directly, requiring all dealings to go through regular, appointed channelsCOOD 170.4.

The Responsibility of Treasurers

• Sacred Duty: A solemn responsibility rests upon treasurers and appropriating committees to handle church funds in the fear of GodARSH November 24, 1863, page 204.11.

• Faithful Distribution: Treasurers are appointed specifically to receive and distribute tithes according to divine instruction, as seen in the examples of faithful men like Shelemiah and Zadok Nehemiah 13:12-13COOD 170.4.

• Maintaining Trust: When funds are applied exactly where they were designed to go, it inspires confidence and encourages further liberality among the people of God1888 1235.1.

Consequences of Mismanagement

• Robbing the Ministry: Withdrawing tithe for common expenses, such as meeting house necessities or secular charities, is a form of robbery that leaves ministers without support1MR 182.3+1.

• Displeasure of God: God is not glorified when those in office divert money from its intended purpose based on their own finite judgment1888 1235.1+1.

• Unfaithful Stewardship: Those who prove themselves unfit to hold the smallest temporal interests, or who disregard the plain directions of God's Word, are pronounced unfaithful stewards Luke 16:10-12PH096 69.1.

Necessary Actions for Correction

• Admonition and Training: If a treasurer or minister claims the right to labor or distribute funds as they please, they must be taught that such a course is an absurdity and contrary to the beautiful order of the churchARSH November 24, 1863, page 204.11.

• Removing Unfaithful Workers: Men who take money out of the treasury but do nothing to bring means into it, or who handle funds in a way that does not add to the cause, should not be paid from church fundsEAAP 24.4.

• Restoring Order: Leaders must raise their voices against the mismanagement of tithes to ensure the treasury is not robbed and that those laboring in word and doctrine are properly sustained1MR 182.3+1.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not 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.

Unfaithful treasurers must be held to a strict account for their management of sacred funds, and if they refuse to repent and reform, the church has the responsibility to remove them from their position and fellowship8LtMs, Ms 111, 1893, par. 6+1. Since the tithe and church offerings are consecrated to God, any misappropriation or "artful intrigue" in handling them is regarded as a grave sin that brings reproach upon the cause of God1MR 183.1+2.

Mandatory Accountability and Restoration

• Give an Account: Every steward will soon hear the command to give an account of their stewardship before God2T 571.1+1.

• Restoration of Funds: Those who have been involved in unjust dealings or have taken away what belongs to the cause will never be clean in the sight of God until they restore what they have takenGCDB February 23, 1899, par. 3+1.

• Investigation by Judicious Persons: When those in positions of influence or trust commit wrongs, there should be a careful investigation conducted by judicious individuals to purge the institution of evil20MR 383.4+1.

Church Discipline and Separation

• Following Biblical Rules: In cases of unfaithful conduct, the church must follow the explicit directions given by the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew Matthew 18:15-187T 260.1.

• Separation from Fellowship: If an individual refuses to hear the voice of the church or heed efforts made to reclaim them, the church must separate them from fellowship and strike their name from the booksCCh 257.4+1.

• Ratification in Heaven: When the church acts in accordance with the directions of God's word to exclude the unworthy, their actions are ratified in heaven7T 263.3+1.

Correcting Mismanagement

• Removing Unfit Leaders: Responsibilities should not remain in the hands of those unable or unwilling to manage them according to light, as this hinders the advancement of the workT33 113.2+1.

• Firmness in Government: Leaders of the church must take firm and decided measures to repress evil practices; otherwise, God charges the guilt of the unfaithful individual upon the entire church bodyRH October 19, 1886, par. 10.

• Adjustment of Methods: Mismanagement and wrong methods must be adjusted and cleansed to ensure that the work is no longer crippled by unfaithful guardianship21MR 184.3+1.

The Standard of Integrity

Treasurers, accountants, and all business agents are called to mark their service with strict integrity so that their works do not testify against them in the judgment8LtMs, Ms 111, 1893, par. 6+1. God is a God of order and requires that those handling His goods represent Him accurately in every transactionSPCCSR 165.3+1.

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" 1 Corinthians 4:2. "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own" Luke 16:121T 199.1?