These articles mainly come from the pen of Ellen G White.
This is a key article on the system of systematic benevolence (tithing).
"His design in the plan of systematic giving was to bring man into close relationship with his Creator and in sympathy and love with his fellow-men, thus placing upon him responsibilities that would counteract selfishness and strengthen disinterested, generous impulses. Man is inclined to be selfish, and to close his heart to generous deeds. The Lord, by requiring gifts to be made at stated times, designed that giving should become a habit, and be looked upon as a Christian duty. The heart, opened by one gift, was not to have time to close and become selfishly cold, before another offering was bestowed."
Ms17-1897
This article calls for tithe to be solely used for support of the work of ministers:
"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. ... 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."
Ms82-1904
In this brief manscript dating from 1904, multiple clear statements are made that the tithe is to be used for only one purpose: the work of ministers.
"The tithe is to be used for one purpose—to sustain the ministers whom the Lord has appointed to do His work. It is to be used to support those who speak the words of life to the people and carry the burden of the flock of God."
"The question in regard to applying the tithes for incidental expenses connected with the church is referred to. You say that this has not been done in Oakland for years. I am glad to hear this. I answer in accordance with the light recently given me of God, and which has led me to write so much on this matter, that it is a mistake for our churches to appropriate the tithe for any other purpose than to sustain the ministry. The Lord will not work in your favor if you do this. {Lt 81, 1897, par. 1}" {Lt 81, 1897, par. 1}
These quotes from the writings from Ellen White. They are strong! Hardly known unfortunately. Must read.
"All around us souls are perishing in their sins. But how few are really burdened over the matter. The world is perishing in its misery; but this hardly moves even those who claim to believe the highest and most far-reaching truth ever given to mortals. There is a lack of that love which led Christ to leave His heavenly home and take man’s nature, that humanity might touch humanity, and draw humanity to divinity. There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon the people of God, which keeps them from understanding what is needed for this time. {Ms 139, 1898, par. 2}. God’s people are on trial before the heavenly universe; but the scantiness of their gifts and offerings, and the feebleness of their efforts in God’s service, mark them as unfaithful stewards. If what they are doing were the best they could do, condemnation would not come upon them; but with their resources they could do much more. The world knows, and they know, that they have, to a great degree, lost the spirit of self-denial and cross-bearing." {Ms 139, 1898, par. 3}
Ellen White had no problem with non-conference entities entering God's mission field and being supported with funds. Sometimes committees who were exercising "kingly power" would refuse to fund such efforts—like the work at Madison College in The South in her day—greatly hindering the advance of God's work. However, she did not call for tithe monies to be used in this work.
Ellen White to encourage Professor Magan who co-founded Madison College with Sutherland. Noting that Magan was experienced, had raised funds for projects in the past, she specifically admonished,
"You have in the past done much to bring means into circulation in the work of God. And you need not now feel troubled about accepting gifts and freewill offerings; for you will need them in the work of preparing young men and young women to labor in the Lord’s vineyard. As you carry on this work in harmony with the Lord’s bidding, you are not to be kept on a constant strain to know how to secure the means you need in order to go forward. The Lord forbids the setting up of walls and bands around workers of experience who are faithfully acting their God-appointed part."{Lt 168, 1907, par. 5}
Letter to A. G. Daniells on the danger of small groups of individuals exercising kingly power over financial appropriations and thus hindering the advance of God's work. Please remember in reading this that God is concerned about taking the gospel to the entire planet and that God raises up people to do a special work in this regard. Sometimes, even well-meaning, cautious, decisions can make decisions that limit God.
"The Lord desires to break up the course of precision which has become so firmly established, which has hindered instead of advancing His work. He desires His people to remember that there is a large space over which the light of present truth is to be shed. Divine wisdom must have abundant room in which to work. It is to advance without asking permission or support from those who have taken to themselves a kingly power." {Lt 60, 1901, par. 2} In the past, one set of men have tried to keep in their own hands the control of all the means coming from the churches and have used this means in a most disproportionate manner, erecting expensive buildings where such <large> buildings were unnecessary and uncalled for, and leaving needy places without help or encouragement. They have taken upon themselves the grave responsibility of retarding the work where the work should have been advanced <a hundredfold>. It has been left to a few supposed kingly minds to say what fields should be worked and what fields should be left unworked. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 3} Read Be Wary Of Hindering God's Work to learn more.
The 1889 Two-Part Tithe Study Online. The 1889 Two-Part Study PDF to Download
The Entire Quarterly To Download
This symposium included an introduction by Pastor Knox who was the Californial Conference President, a Bible Study by J. O Corliss (Australian Pastor), an article by Ellen White on faithful stewardship and a summary by M. C. Wilcox. Many individuals were apparently not returning their tithe to the conference and the conference organized a conference to address the challenge.