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Tithing Truths: Storehouse Stewardship vs Self-Directed Giving

Is it permissible to withhold tithes if church leaders are unfaithful?

AdventAI

Tithe and the church vs self-directed giving of a tithe

AdventAI

Returning an honest tithe to God’s designated treasury is a sacred obligation that acknowledges His ownership of all things, while self-directed use of these funds is considered a diversion of what God has specifically reserved for the support of the gospel ministry.

The Sacred Nature of the Tithe

  • A Divine Requirement: Tithing is the plan of heaven to teach us that we are subjects of Christ’s kingdom and is required by the Lord in the plainest terms.

  • God’s Reserved Portion: The tithe is sacred and belongs to the Lord; He requires that one-tenth be faithfully laid aside for His work.

  • Holy Purpose: This specific portion is consecrated for the support of those who carry the message of salvation to the world.

  • A Test of Loyalty: By obeying this requirement, we prove that we realize everything we possess belongs to God Malachi 3:10-12.

The Treasury vs. Self-Directed Giving

  • The Specific Channel: God has given special direction that tithes are to be brought into His storehouse or treasury so that there may be "meat" in His house Malachi 3:10.

  • No Liberty for Personal Judgment: No one is at liberty to retain their tithe to use according to their own judgment, even if they believe they are applying it to the Lord’s work.

  • Misapplication of Funds: Using tithe money for common necessities or for purposes other than what God has specified removes the blessing of the Lord and cripples the work of the ministry.

  • The Role of Church Officers: Church leaders and ministers have a responsibility to educate members on the importance of paying a faithful tithe and to guard these sacred funds against improper use.

Consequences of Withholding Tithe

  • Robbing God: Withholding tithes and offerings is identified as robbing God, which brings a divine curse rather than a blessing Malachi 3:8-9.

  • Hindering the Gospel: When God’s plan is not followed, the funds needed for ministers to enter new fields and for the standard of truth to be lifted in dark places become scarce.

  • Spiritual Decay: Those who neglect this duty often become selfish, avaricious, and experience a dwarfed religious growth.

The Spirit of True Liberality

  • Beyond the Tithe: In addition to the tithe, the Lord calls for freewill offerings and thank-offerings as tokens of gratitude for His mercy.

  • The Motive Matters: God values the small gift given from a heart of self-denial—like the widow’s two mites—more than large sums given without sacrifice Mark 12:41-44.

  • System and Order: Utilizing a regular system for paying tithe into established channels prevents confusion and ensures the work is sustained in an orderly way.

Honor the Lord with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase: So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine Proverbs 3:9-10. By faithfully returning to Him His own, we open the way for the windows of heaven to be opened in blessing upon us Malachi 3:10.

Sources · 21
  1. 17LtMs, Lt 38, 1902, par. 19Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)Ellen Gould White
  2. SpM 214.4Spalding and Magan CollectionEllen Gould White
  3. GCB April 1, 1897, page 76.4General Conference Bulletin, vol. 2General Conference of SDA
  4. 7MR 137.1Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]Ellen Gould White
  5. SpTA10 21.2Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers—No. 10Ellen Gould White
  6. 19MR 376.4Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]Ellen Gould White
  7. 1TT 374.1Testimony Treasures, vol. 1Ellen Gould White
  8. GW 228.2Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)Ellen Gould White
  9. ARSH June 3, 1902, page 8.1The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 79Alonzo Trevier Jones
  10. 20LtMs, Lt 107, 1905, par. 14Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)Ellen Gould White
  11. CS 83.3Counsels on StewardshipEllen Gould White
  12. RH November 21, 1878, par. 6The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White
  13. 5T 274.3Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5Ellen Gould White
  14. 11LtMs, Ms 60, 1896, par. 9Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)Ellen Gould White
  15. 3T 399.1Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3Ellen Gould White
  16. 12LtMs, Ms 144, 1897, par. 7Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)Ellen Gould White
  17. CS 82.4Counsels on StewardshipEllen Gould White
  18. 2T 666.2Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2Ellen Gould White
  19. ST January 21, 1886, par. 6The Signs of the TimesEllen Gould White
  20. GCB June 1, 1909, page 238.23General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6General Conference of SDA
  21. 20LtMs, Lt 243a, 1905, par. 16Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)Ellen Gould White

Ok, but Ellen white didn’t always trust the church/general conference. At times she highly esteemed them and at other times declared them unfaithful stewards, so as long as we are giving tithe to missionaries and ministers does it have to go through normal denominational channels?

AdventAI

Returning a faithful tithe to the designated storehouse is a requirement of God that remains binding even when men in responsible positions prove to be unfaithful stewards. While it is true that there are instances where church leaders have betrayed their trust or made unwise moves, the Lord has ordained organization and a specific channel for His tithe to ensure the gospel work is sustained in an orderly manner.

The Responsibility of the Individual

  • A Plain Command: The requirement to bring all the tithes into the storehouse is so positive that no one who desires to understand their duty needs to make a mistake Malachi 3:10.

  • Dissatisfaction is No Excuse: If a member has no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work, they are not to rob God by withholding their tithe.

  • Direct Redress: Rather than withdrawing funds, members should make their complaints plainly and openly to the proper ones so that things may be adjusted.

  • Personal Stewardship: We are each tested by our fidelity in returning to God His own; if we are unfaithful in this, we show ourselves unfit for the true riches of heaven.

The Purpose of the Treasury Channel

  • Support of the Ministry: The tithe is sacred and reserved by God solely for the support of the gospel ministry and the work of salvation.

  • Preventing Confusion: God has ordained that representative men assembled in the General Conference have authority to plan for the advancement of His work, preventing the work from falling into the hands of unqualified persons.

  • Global Equity: Regular channels allow means to flow from wealthy areas to poorer fields where the tithe is limited, ensuring the work is built up in all places.

  • Consequences of Diversion: When the tithe is diverted into various other channels, the work of the ministry is hedged up and new fields cannot be entered.

Unfaithful Stewardship and Reform

  • God Holds Leaders Accountable: Ministers and leaders who neglect their duty or mismanage funds are recorded in heaven as unfaithful stewards and will be rewarded according to their works.

  • The Storehouse is Not Abandoned: Even if consecrated means are misapplied by others, the sincere donor who gave with an eye single to God's glory will not lose their reward.

  • Special Exceptions: In very specific, extreme circumstances of injustice—such as when faithful women laborers were denied wages—Ellen White used her own tithe to provide immediate restitution, but she still reserved it strictly for the work of the ministry.

  • The Church Structure Stands: Despite the failings of men, the structure of organization was built by God’s direction and is to stand, strengthened and established.

The Call to Loyalty

  • Honoring God's Agreement: All the Lord asks is for us to be faithful stewards by rendering a tenth of our increase without stopping to measure the outcome to our own advantage.

  • Avoiding Independent Movement: Those who rise up against the ordained ways and means of the church often neglect their God-appointed work and engage in opposition to the plain commands of the Lord.

  • The Standard of Judgment: In the last day, the division will be made between the obedient and the disobedient; there will be no middle class.

The Lord says, "them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed" 1 Samuel 2:30. By bringing the tithes into the storehouse, we prove our realization that all belongs to God and open the way for His abundant blessing Malachi 3:10.

Sources · 29
  1. 9T 250.1Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9Ellen Gould White
  2. CS 82.4Counsels on StewardshipEllen Gould White
  3. SpTA07 20.1Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers—No. 7Ellen Gould White
  4. GW 490.1Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)Ellen Gould White
  5. 1MR 158.3Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]Ellen Gould White
  6. 7MR 138.1Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]Ellen Gould White
  7. TM 305.1Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel WorkersEllen Gould White
  8. BEcho February 12, 1894, par. 1The Bible EchoEllen Gould White
  9. CS 93.3Counsels on StewardshipEllen Gould White
  10. 9T 249.2Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9Ellen Gould White
  11. 14LtMs, Ms 26, 1899, par. 33Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)Ellen Gould White
  12. KC 155.5The Kress CollectionEllen Gould White
  13. ST November 25, 1886, par. 6The Signs of the TimesEllen Gould White
  14. 20LtMs, Ms 44, 1905, par. 3Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)Ellen Gould White
  15. CS 80.3Counsels on StewardshipEllen Gould White
  16. 20MR 382.3Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]Ellen Gould White
  17. 7MR 366.1Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]Ellen Gould White
  18. 1MR 190.1Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]Ellen Gould White
  19. PH157 9.1Special Testimony to the Oakland and Battle Creek ChurchesEllen Gould White
  20. CH 269.3Counsels on HealthEllen Gould White
  21. 20MR 387.4Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]Ellen Gould White
  22. PC 254.3The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White LettersEllen Gould White
  23. CSW 146.3Counsels on Sabbath School WorkEllen Gould White
  24. 5MR 29.1Manuscript Releases, vol. 5 [Nos. 260-346]Ellen Gould White
  25. RH June 21, 1898, par. 8The Review and HeraldEllen Gould White
  26. TM 53.1Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel WorkersEllen Gould White
  27. 12LtMs, Lt 29, 1897, par. 25Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)Ellen Gould White
  28. PH166 6.3Special on TithingEllen Gould White
  29. SpTA09 69.3Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers—No. 9Ellen Gould White