True Education

The Tithe Is the Lord’s

The God who gives human beings power to get wealth has with the gift bound up an obligation. Of all that we acquire He claims a specified portion. The tithe is the Lord’s. “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree ... the tithe of the herd or the flock, ... shall be holy to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30, 32. TEd 84.1

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse” (Malachi 3:10) is God’s command. No appeal is made to gratitude or to generosity. This is a matter of simple honesty. The tithe is the Lord’s, and He tells us to return to Him that which is His own. TEd 84.2

“It is required in stewards, that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:2, NRSV. If honesty is an essential principle of business life, must we not recognize our obligation to God—the obligation that underlies every other? TEd 84.3

By the terms of our stewardship we are placed under obligation not only to God but to humanity. To the infinite love of the Redeemer every human being is indebted for the gifts of life. Food, clothing, and shelter; body, mind, and soul—all are the purchase of His blood. And by the obligation of gratitude and service thus imposed, Christ has bound us to all members of the human family. He bids us, “Through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13; see also Matthew 25:40; Revelation 1:14. By all that has blessed our life above others, we are placed under obligation to every human being whom we might benefit. TEd 84.4

Never can we safely lose sight of the fact that the goods we handle are not our own. We are but stewards, and on the discharge of our obligation to God and needy humans depend both the welfare of other people and our own destiny for this life and for the life to come. “Cast your bread upon the water, for you will find it after many days.” Ecclesiastes 11:1. TEd 84.5

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38. TEd 84.6

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field.” Malachi 3:10, 11. TEd 84.7

“Seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full.” Proverbs 19:17, NRSV. All who make this investment lay up double treasure. Besides that which, however wisely improved, they must leave at last, they are amassing wealth for eternity—that treasure of character that is the most valuable possession of earth or heaven. TEd 85.1