General Conference Bulletin, vol. 2

THE TITHE; ITS USE AND ABUSE

G. A. IRWIN

As all to whom the BULLETIN goes are not supplied with the more recent Testimonies, we thought it might be well to subjoin a few extracts with reference to the tithe and the use that should be made of it:— GCB July 1, 1897, page 86.6

“The light which the Lord has given me on this subject, is that the means in the treasury for the support of the ministers in the different fields is not to be used for any other purpose. If an honest tithe were paid, and the money coming into the treasury were carefully guarded, the ministers would receive a just wage.... GCB July 1, 1897, page 86.7

“The minister who labors should be sustained. But notwithstanding this, those who are 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 voices against this kind of management.... GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.1

“Those who have used the tithe-money to supply the common necessities of the house of God, have taken the money that should go to sustain ministers in doing his work, in preparing the way for Christ’s second appearing. Just as surely as you do this work, you misapply the resources which God has told you to retain in his treasure-house, that it may be full, to be used in his service. This work is something of which all who have taken a part in should be ashamed. They have used their influence to withdraw from God’s treasury a fund that is consecrated to a sacred purpose. From those who do this, the blessing of the Lord will be removed. GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.2

“The tithe-money must be kept sacred. There are ministers who receive nothing for their labor; for there was no money to pay them. This I saw would be; for the management is wrong.... GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.3

“Then talk not of appropriating the tithe that is to send forth ministers to preach the Word.... GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.4

“There should be workers in Michigan, and yet men are questioning in regard to using the tithe for other purposes than that which the Lord has specified.” GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.5

The foregoing words are so very clear that no one need be in doubt as to how and where the tithes should be applied. That they have not always in the past been so applied, is a matter of regret, and no doubt has been, in a measure, a means of drying up this source of revenue to the treasury of the Lord. GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.6

Speaking to the General Conference, these words are used:— GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.7

“Why does it allow the treasury which should be kept for the purpose of sustaining the ministry, to be drawn upon, and diverted to common things? Why should it permit its ministers to be half paid, and at the same time talk so begrudgingly of that which they do receive? When this work shall cease in our churches, a living testimony will go forth from human lips, under the operation of the Holy Ghost. GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.8

“Burdens have been borne, projects have been entered into, and time has been given to matters that God never intended any of you to study upon, or to undertake. Now, for Christ’s sake, change the order of things.” GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.9

Accepting the reproof, and as a step to “change the order of things,” the General Conference Committee, at a recent session, voted that henceforth all tithe coming to the General Conference treasury should be kept by itself and sacredly guarded, and applied to the support of the laborers indicated by the Testimonies. It was also decided that Sabbath-school or other offerings and donations made for special purposes be faithfully and conscientiously applied to said purposes. GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.10

How thankful we should be that the Lord, in his great mercy, points out our mistakes in time to save us and his cause from irreparable disaster! May the Lord grant us grace from this time forth to be faithful both in the payment and application of the tithe, that “a living testimony may go forth from human lips, under the operation of the Holy Ghost.” G. A. IRWIN. GCB July 1, 1897, page 87.11