Malachi 3:8-11 (NKJV) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try 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 blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “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,” Says the LORD of hosts;"
"The tithing system, instituted for this purpose, reaches back to the time of Moses. Even as far back as the days of Adam, long before the definite system was given, men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes. They were thus to manifest their appreciation of the mercies and blessings they received. {ST March 18, 1886, par. 4} These offerings were continued through successive generations. The principle was not unknown in the days of Job. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and a penniless wanderer, promised the Lord, “Of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” {ST March 18, 1886, par. 5}
"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. If the little that is now accomplished were the best they could do, they would not be under condemnation; but with their resources they could do much more. They know, and the world knows, that they have to a great degree lost the spirit of self-denial and cross bearing. {6T 445.3} When all are faithful in giving back to God His own in tithes and offerings, the way will be opened for the world to hear the message for this time. If the hearts of God’s people were filled with love for Christ, if every church member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, if all manifested thorough earnestness, there would be no lack of funds for home or foreign missions. Our resources would be multiplied; a thousand doors of usefulness would be opened, and we should be invited to enter. Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God." {6T 449.4}
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:24, 25. {ST March 18, 1886, par. 1} Giving is a part of gospel religion. The foundation of the plan of salvation was laid in sacrifice. ... Self-denial is an essential condition of discipleship. {ST March 18, 1886, par. 2}. God does not compel men to give to his cause. Their action must be voluntary. He will not have his treasury replenished with unwilling offerings. 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. {ST March 18, 1886, par. 6
The majority of professed Christians part with their means with great reluctance. Many of them do not give one twentieth of their income to God, and many give far less than that; while there is a large class who rob God of the little tithe, and others who will give only the tithe. If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel between God and man would be kept open. The followers of Christ should not wait for thrilling missionary appeals to arouse them to action. If spiritually awake, they would hear in the income of every week, whether much or little, the voice of God and of conscience with authority demanding the tithes and offerings due the Lord. {4T 474.2}
The Lord has made the proclamation of the gospel dependent on the consecrated ability and the voluntary gifts and offerings of His people. While He has called men to preach the Word, He has made it the privilege of the whole church to share in the work by contributing of their means to its support. And He has bidden them also to care for the poor, as representatives of Himself. A tithe of all our income the Lord claims as His own, to be devoted solely to the support of those who give themselves to the preaching of the gospel. And besides this He asks of us gifts and offerings for His cause and also to supply the needs of the poor.... {HP 303.2} The Lord is ever bestowing His blessings and mercies upon men. Should He withdraw these gifts we should perish. Every moment He has His human family in view. “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). He gives us “fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). It is God who gives men power to get wealth. The quick, sharp thought, the ability to plan and execute, are from Him. It is He who blesses us with health and opens ways for us to acquire means by diligent use of our powers. And he says to us, “A portion of the money I have enabled you to gain is Mine. Put it into the treasury in tithes, in gifts and offerings, that there may be meat in Mine house—that there may be something to sustain those who carry the gospel of My grace to the world.” 34 {HP 303.3}
"There are many who have looked upon the Jewish nation as a people to be pitied, because they were constantly taxed for the support of their religion; but God, who created man and provided him with all the blessings he enjoys, knew what was for his best good. And he has, through his blessing, made their nine-tenths worth more to them than the entire amount without his blessing. If any through their selfishness robbed God or brought to him an offering not perfect, disaster and loss were sure to follow them. God reads the motives of the heart. He is acquainted with the purposes of men, and will mete out to them in his own good time as they have merited." {RH December 15, 1874, par. 24} "If those who have not made life a success were willing to be instructed, they could train themselves to habits of self-denial and strict economy, and have the satisfaction of being distributors, rather than receivers, of charity. There are many slothful servants. If they would do what it is in their power to do, they would experience so great a blessing in helping others that they would indeed realize that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” {RH December 15, 1874, par. 13} "Those churches who are the most systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God, are the most prosperous spiritually. True liberality in the follower of Christ identifies his interest with that of his Master. In God’s dealing with the Jews and his people to the end of time, he requires systematic benevolence proportionate to their income. The plan of salvation was laid by the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God. The light of the gospel shining from the cross of Christ rebukes selfishness, and encourages liberality and benevolence. {RH December 15, 1874, par. 26}
"While the religion of Christ flourishes in hearts, the streams of beneficence will never cease to flow. The one who is a faithful steward is constantly giving, and God is constantly supplying that the channel shall not become dried up. But it is not the rich alone that are to sustain the cause of God in our world; those who have been blessed with the light of truth can learn to practice self-denial, and have something to give. All the little rivulets made to flow into the channel of doing good, blessing humanity, will keep the treasury supplied with means." {RH March 8, 1887, par. 4}
The home missionary work will be farther advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off. It is in working actively to supply the necessities of the cause of God that we bring our souls in touch with the Source of all power.—Testimonies for the Church 6:27. {PaM 32.2}
"Those churches who are the most systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God are the most prosperous spiritually." {PH166 4.4}
Malachi 3:8-9 (NKJV) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation."
Ellen White speaks very forcefully relative to Malachi 3 not only containing a wonderful promise, but also a dreadful curse, which God would surely bring upon those who were withholding their tithe.
"I ask you to remember that you are not doing the will of your heavenly Father in withholding from Him the tithe. We should all pay tithe. Why? Because it is required of us by the Lord Himself, and in the plainest terms. It is the plan of heaven to teach us that we are subjects of Christ’s kingdom." {Lt 38, 1902, par. 19} After reading this chapter, will you venture to disregard God’s plain requirement? Those who, after their attention has been called to this subject, refuse to comply with the Lord’s claims, venturing to disregard them as non-essential, will be dealt with in the manner described in this chapter. {Lt 38, 1902, par. 21} If you lead the church to disregard this requirement of the Lord, will you not be leading them in crooked paths, and will not the Lord hold you accountable for their neglect of duty? ... We may well be afraid of a man in any position, high or low, minister or layman, who, in the face of such statements, ventures to set aside God’s requirement as something that does not concern him. {Lt 38, 1902, par. 23} We are in no case to allow one statement of Scripture to obscure another statement of Scripture. God’s Word in regard to paying tithe is plain and decided. Sad indeed will be the consequences to those who disobey. Blessings are given for obedience and curses for disobedience. To those who disobey, God says, “Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me.” —Ellen G. White, Letter 38, 1902, par. 24
"If children see their parents practicing the least dishonesty in robbing God of tithes and offerings, if they are not taught to bring their gifts to the One who has given them all things, if in their childhood they do not realize their obligations to God, they will, when grown to years of maturity, steel their hearts against the clearest discourses that they hear from the minister in the church. They will say, 'Father and mother have not done thus, and they are good Christians.' By allowing children to grow up careless and indifferent in regard to presenting to God the tithes and offerings which He requires, parents rob Him to the third and fourth generation; for their children and their children’s children will have no inclination to fear and obey God. The third chapter of Malachi condemns every unfaithfulness in withholding tithes and offerings. Let us all bring to God an honest tithe."—Ellen G. White, Manuscript 100, 1901, par. 29
"Cannot you see that it is not best under any circumstances to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony with everything that your brethren do? The tithes and offerings are not the property of any man, but are to be used in doing a certain work for God; unworthy ministers may receive some of the means thus raised; but dare any one, because of this, withhold from the treasury and brave the curse of God? I dare not. I pay my tithe gladly and freely, saying, as did David, “Of thine own have we given thee.” [1 Chronicles 29:14.] {Ms 3, 1890, par. 15} A selfish withholding from God will tend to poverty in our own souls. Act your part, my brethren and sisters. God loves you, and He stands at the helm. If the conference business is not managed according to the order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring one; the Lord will not hold you responsible for it, if you do what you can to correct the evil. But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from the Lord His own property. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” or negligently. [Jeremiah 48:10.]"—Ellen G. White, Manuscript 3, 1890, par. 16
These are only a few of many quotations to be found relative to the curse that is promised to those who withhold tithe.
"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." MS17-1897
"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}"
"From that which has been shown me, the tithe is not to be withdrawn from the treasury. Every penny of this money is the Lord’s own sacred treasure, to be appropriated for a special use." {Ms 17, 1897, par. 1}
Every one who is honored in being a steward of God should carefully guard the tithe fund. The Lord does not sanction the borrowing of this money for any other purpose. It should not be drawn upon to meet the incidental expenses of the church. Let a fund be raised by regular donations for this purpose. If the members of a church exercise economy and self-denial in dress and in all their expenses, as God requires, there will be no lack of funds. The tithe will be increased, and there will be donations sufficient for all church expenses. {Ms 139, 1898, par. 69}. In some of the larger conferences the tithe may be more than sufficient to sustain the laborers now in the field. But this does not sanction its use for any other purpose. If the conferences were doing the work that God desires them to do, there would be many more laborers in the field, and the demand for funds would be greatly increased. {Ms 139, 1898, par. 70}
The tithe should be consecrated to God. His requirements come first. We are not doing His will if we consecrate to Him what is left after all our wants have been supplied. Before any part of our income is consumed, we should take out and present to Him that portion which He claims as His. When this is done, the remainder will be sanctified and blessed to our own use. But when we withhold that which He says is His, the curse rests upon the whole, and we are recorded in the books of heaven as guilty of robbery. God gives man nine-tenths, but the one-tenth He claims for sacred purposes,—as He has given man six days for his own work, and has reserved the seventh day to Himself. {PUR October 10, 1901, par. 6} The tithing system was founded upon a principle which is as enduring as the law of God. It will be a blessing to those who will carry it out to the end of time. Our heavenly Father did not originate the system to enrich Himself, but to be a great blessing to man. {PUR October 10, 1901, par. 7} The simplicity of the plan shows the wisdom of God in its arrangement. Everything bearing the divine stamp unites simplicity with utility. Those who return to the Lord the tenth, will find it true that the nine-tenths are worth more to them than the ten-tenths. {PUR October 10, 1901, par. 8}
A very plain, definite message has been given to me to give to our people. I am bidden to tell them that they are making a mistake in applying the tithe to various objects which, though good in themselves, are not the object to which the Lord has said that the tithe is to be applied. Those who make this use of the tithe are departing from the Lord’s arrangement. {Ms 82, 1904, par. 3} God will judge for these things. One reasons that the tithe may be appropriated to school purposes. Still others would reason that canvassers and colporteurs should be supported from the tithe. But a great mistake is made when the tithe is drawn from the object for which it is to be used—the support of the ministers. There should today be in the field one hundred well-qualified laborers where now there is but one. {Ms 82, 1904, par. 4} The tithe is the Lord’s, and those who meddle with it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure, unless they repent. Let the work no longer be hedged up because the tithe has been diverted into various channels other than the one to which the Lord has said it should go. Provision is to be made for these other lines of work. They are to be sustained; but not from the tithe. God has not changed; the tithe is to be used for the support of the ministry. The opening of new fields requires more ministerial efficiency than we now have, and there must be means in the treasury. {Ms 82, 1904, par. 13}
"God’s reserved resources are to be used in no such haphazard way. The tithe is the Lord’s, and those who meddle with it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure unless they repent. Let the work no longer be hedged up because the tithe has been diverted into various channels other than the one to which the Lord has said it should go. Provision is to be made for these other lines of work. They are to be sustained; but not from the tithe. God has not changed; the tithe is still to be used for the support of the ministry." 22LtMs, Ms 33, 1907, par. 18
God has given special direction as to the use of the tithe. He does not design that His work shall be crippled for want of means. That there may be no haphazard work and no error, He has made our duty on these points very plain. The portion that God has reserved for Himself is not to be diverted to any other purpose than that which He has specified. Let none feel at liberty to retain their tithe, to use according to their own judgment. They are not to use it for themselves in an emergency, nor to apply it as they see fit, even in what they may regard as the Lord’s work. {9T 247.1} The minister should, by precept and example, teach the people to regard the tithe as sacred. He should not feel that he can retain and apply it according to his own judgment because he is a minister. It is not his. He is not at liberty to devote to himself whatever he thinks is his due. He should not give his influence to any plans for diverting from their legitimate use the tithes and offerings dedicated to God. They are to be placed in His treasury and held sacred for His service as He has appointed. {9T 247.2}
"Some have been dissatisfied and have said: “I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.” But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right."
"I understand that you are also teaching that we should not pay tithe. My brother, take off your shoes from off your feet; for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. ... While he pronounces a blessing upon those who bring in their tithes, he pronounces a curse upon those who withheld them."
"Cannot you see that it is not best under any circumstances to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony with everything your brethren do? The tithes and offerings are not the property of any man, but are to be used in doing a certain work for God. Unworthy ministers may receive some of the means thus raised, but dare any one, because of this, withhold from the treasury, and brave the curse of God? I dare not. ... If the Conference business is not managed according to the order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring ones. The Lord will not hold you responsible for it, if you do what you can to correct the evil. But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from God his own property. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently, or deceitfully."
The minister should, by precept and example, teach the people to regard the tithe as sacred. He should not feel that he can retain and apply it according to his own judgment because he is a minister. It is not his. He is not at liberty to devote to himself whatever he thinks is his due. He should not give his influence to any plans for diverting from their legitimate use the tithes and offerings dedicated to God. They are to be placed in His treasury and held sacred for His service as He has appointed. {9T 247.2} God desires all His stewards to be exact in following divine arrangements. They are not to offset the Lord’s plans by performing some deed of charity or giving some gift or some offering when or how they, the human agents, shall see fit. It is a very poor policy for men to seek to improve on God’s plan, and invent a makeshift, averaging up their good impulses on this and that occasion, and offsetting them against God’s requirements. God calls upon all to give their influence to His own arrangement. He has made His plan known, and all who would co-operate with Him must carry out this plan instead of daring to attempt an improvement on it. {9T 248.1} "Some have been dissatisfied and have said: “I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.” But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right." {9T 249.2} The tithe is the Lord’s, and those who meddle with it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure unless they repent. Let the work no longer be hedged up because the tithe has been diverted into various channels other than the one to which the Lord has said it should go. Provision is to be made for these other lines of work. They are to be sustained, but not from the tithe. God has not changed; the tithe is still to be used for the support of the ministry. The opening of new fields requires more ministerial efficiency than we now have, and there must be means in the treasury. {9T 249.4}
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"When anyone arises claiming to have great light, and yet advocates the tearing down of that which the Lord through His human agents is building up, they are greatly deceived, and are not working along the lines where Christ is working. Those who assert that the Seventh-day Adventist churches constitute Babylon, or any part of Babylon, might better stay at home. Let them stop to consider what is the message to be borne at this time. In the place of working with divine agencies to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord, they have taken their stand with him who is an accuser of the brethren, who accuses them before God day and night. Satanic agencies have been moved from beneath, and they have inspired men to unite in a confederacy of evil, that they may perplex, harass, and cause the people of God great distress." {EA 92.4} "I understand that you are also teaching that we should not pay tithe. My brother, take off your shoes from off your feet; for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. The Lord has spoken in regard to tithe paying, saying, “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 pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” But while he pronounces a blessing upon those who bring in their tithes, he pronounces a curse upon those who withheld them. Very recently I have had direct light from the Lord upon this question, and I was shown that Seventh-day Adventists are robbing God in tithes and offerings. I saw that Malachi stated the case as it really is today. How dare any man even think in his heart to withhold tithes and offerings from the Lord. Where my brother, you have stepped out of the path, get your feet back again into the strait path." {EA 102.7}. Read The Remnant Church Not Babylon
In this document Ellen White deplores the low level of spirituality to be found among the members (dishonest licentious) and pastors (unconverted), and suggests needed remedies. In the course of this discussion she makes the statement that "it is not best under any circumstances to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony with everything your brethren do." It is probably one of the strongest documents on the need to keep paying tithes no matter what is going on. She also addresses the danger of focusing on the problems instead of focusing on God's ability to bring His remedy.
Read All of Existing Evils and Their Remedy in this Downloadable Phone-Friendly PDF
"You who have been withholding your means from the cause of God, read the book of Malachi, and see what is spoken there in regard to tithes and offerings. Cannot you see that it is not best under any circumstances to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony with everything your brethren do? The tithes and offerings are not the property of any man, but are to be used in doing a certain work for God. Unworthy ministers may receive some of the means thus raised, but dare any one, because of this, withhold from the treasury, and brave the curse of God? I dare not. I pay my tithes gladly and freely, saying, as did David, “Of thine own have we given thee.” A selfish withholding from God will tend to poverty in our own souls. Act your part, my brethren and sisters. God loves you, and he stands at the helm. If the Conference business is not managed according to the order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring ones. The Lord will not hold you responsible for it, if you do what you can to correct the evil. But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from God his own property. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently,” or deceitfully. {SpTA01b 27.1} When persons declare that they will not pay their tithes because the means are not used as they think they ought to be, will the elder of the church or the minister sympathize with the sinners? Will he aid the enemy in his work? or will he, as a wise man, endued with knowledge, go to work to correct the evil, and thus remove the stumbling-block? But, brethren, do not be unfaithful in your lot. Stand in your place. Do not, by your neglect of duty, increase our financial difficulties." {SpTA01b 27.2.
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Yes. Ellen White gave money to needy gospel workers—black and white— as a result of being instructed by God to provide support to individuals in gospel ministry in the South, who were not being supported by the tithe, even though they were eligible to receive such support. We know of this as a result of a letter she wrote to Elder Watson, who was the president of the Colorado Conference. She had not only given personal funds, but had received funds from members who said they would not give the money at all if she did not take the money. She also makes a point of saying that in her giving, money was not being withheld from the Treasury. Here are key thoughts from the letter. After the quotations listed, there is a link to commentary on the situation by her son Willie.
"Elder Watson,— My brother, I wish to say to you, Be careful how you move. You are not moving wisely. The least you have to speak about the tithe that has been appropriated to the most needy and the most discouraging field in the world, the more sensible you will be. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 1. It has been presented to me for years that my tithe was to be appropriated by myself to aid the white and colored ministers who were neglected and did not receive sufficient properly to support their families. When my attention was called to aged ministers, white or black, it was my special duty to investigate into their necessities and supply their needs. This was to be my special work, and I have done this in a number of cases. No man should give notoriety to the fact that in special cases the tithe is used in that way. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 2. In regard to the colored work in the South, that field has been and is still being robbed of the means that should come to the workers in that field. If there have been cases where our sisters have appropriated their tithe to the support of the ministers’ working for the colored people in the South, let every man, if he is wise, hold his peace. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 3. I have myself appropriated my tithe to the most needy cases brought to my notice. I have been instructed to do this; and as the money is not withheld from the Lord’s treasury, it is not a matter that should be commented upon; for it will necessitate my making known these matters, which I do not desire to do, because it is not best. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 4 ... I send this matter to you so that you shall not make a mistake. Circumstances alter cases. I would not advise that any one should make a practice of gathering up tithe money. But for years there have now and then been persons who have lost confidence in the appropriation of the tithe who have placed their tithe in my hands and said that if I did not take it they would themselves appropriate it to the families of the most needy ministers they could find. I have taken the money, given a receipt for it, and told them how it was appropriated. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 6 I write this to you so that you shall keep cool and not become stirred up and give publicity to this matter, lest many more shall follow their example." 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 7
Read the Watson Letter and Willie White's helpful commentary on that letter.
"There are ministers’ wives, Sisters Starr, Haskell, Wilson and Robinson, who have been devoted, earnest, whole-souled workers, giving Bible readings and praying with families, helping along by personal efforts just as successfully as their husbands. These women give their whole time, and are told that they receive nothing for their labors because their husbands receive their wages. I tell them to go forward and all such decisions shall be reversed. The Word says, “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” When any such decision as this is made, I will in the name of the Lord, protest. I will feel it in my duty to create a fund from my tithe money, to pay these women who are accomplishing just as essential work as the ministers are doing, and this tithe I will reserve for work in the same line as that of the ministers, hunting for souls, fishing for souls. I know that the faithful women should be paid wages proportionate to the pay received by ministers. They carry the burden of souls, and should not be treated unjustly. These sisters are giving their time to educating those newly come to the faith, and hire their own work done, and pay those who work for them. All these things must be adjusted and set in order, and justice be done to all. Proof-readers in the office receive their wages, two dollars and a half and three dollars a week. This I have had to pay, and others have to pay. But ministers’ wives, who carry a tremendous responsibility, devoting their entire time, have nothing for their labor. This will give you an idea of how matters are in this conference. There are seventy-five souls organized into a church, who are paying their tithe into the conference, and as a saving plan it has been deemed essential to let these poor souls labor for nothing! But this does not trouble me, for I will not allow it to go thus."{SpM 117.3}
No! 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—which was greatly hindering the advance of God's work. She encouraged Percy Magan to raise non-tithe money for Madison College.
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Ellen White encouraged Professor Magan who co-founded Madison College with Sutherland to raise money. Noting that Magan was experienced, had raised funds for projects in the past, she told him he did not need to ask permission to solicit gifts and free-will offerings. It is important to realize she did tell him to raise tithe monies.
"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} Click to download a phone-friendly pdf of this letter.
Download a Phone-friendly PDF of these two letters.
She wrote a 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 people can make decisions that limit God.
However!!!!!! I don't believe this referred to tithe money. Individuals were donating money to advance the mission of the church. In Australia, for example, they were seeking to build churches, Avondale College, etc. Instead of sending money to help, donated monies were being appropriated in places that were already well established. In the South, where her son Edson was working, money had been raised to support the work there, but a committee had chosen to redirect the work to another project. She protested, but strong counciled Edson to be careful what he said.
"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} Download a Phone-friendly PDF of these two letters.
Ellen White sometimes expressed frustration with the controlling power of a small group of men in Battle Creek over most of the work, that was referred to as "regular lines." Unfortunately this group could arbitrarly decided to favor one project over another, and thus starve the work in one. This happened for Edson in his work in the south, and for Sutherland and Magan seeking to develop Madison College. As a result, Ellen White advocated working apart from the "regular line."
Here are some sample quotations:
"Let no one try to bind about the work that is to be done in the Southern field by trying to conform it to the “regular lines.” Clear the way. Remove the stumbling blocks that have been placed in the path of God’s workers. Do something to help, my brethren, and do it now." {Ms 68, 1902, par. 2}
"Now from the light that I have, as it was presented to me in figures; and there was a narrow compass here [drawing a circle on a book with her hand]; there within that narrow compass is a kingly, ruling power; here the outlets are locked; and the work carried on all over our field demands an entirely different course of action than we have had; that there needs to be the laying of a foundation that is different from what we have had. We have heard enough, abundance about, Everything must go around in the regular lines. When we see the regular lines are impressed and purified and refined, and the God of the Heavens’ mold is upon the regular lines, then it is our business to establish the regular lines. But when we see that message after message that God has given has been taken and accepted, but no change—just the same as it was before, then we know that there is new blood [that] must be brought into the regular lines. The managers of the regular lines, they must have an entire change, an entire new organization, and to have a Committee that shall take in not merely a half a dozen that is to be a ruling and a controlling power, but it is to have the voice of those that are placed in responsibilities in our educational interests, in our Sanitarium that is working, and the life in them constantly at work, constantly broadening, constantly giving to the field the talent that has come to it..." {Ms 43d, 1901, par. 8}
She accordingly called for efforts to be made in "irregular—not-controlled by Battle Creek—lines."
"It is time that church members understood that everywhere there is work to be done in the Lord’s vineyard. No one is to wait for a regular process before they make any efforts. They should take up the work right where they are. There should be many at work in what are called “irregular lines.” If one hundred laborers would step out of the “regular lines” and take up self-sacrificing work such as Brother Shireman has done, souls would be won to the Lord. And the workers would understand by experience what it means to be laborers together with God." {Lt 109, 1901, par. 12}
"God is displeased with the spirit you have manifested. Your insinuations and criticisms are most unbecoming. When you ought to be a teacher, you have need that one teach you. Do you know that you are criticizing the work of a man who has been visited by the angels of the Lord? Who has sent you to a field where a good work is in progress, to show your zeal by tearing it in pieces? If this is working in the “Regular lines”, it is high time that we worked in irregular lines." {SpM 194.5}
There are only nine quotations that speak of working in irregular lines, of which none call for using tithe for such work.
Malachi 3:8-11 (NKJV) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try 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 blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “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,” Says the LORD of hosts;"
"The tithing system, instituted for this purpose, reaches back to the time of Moses. ... Adam, ... Job. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, ... Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and a penniless wanderer, promised the Lord, “Of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” {ST March 18, 1886, par. 5}
"As to the amount required, God has specified one-tenth of the increase as his due; but other offerings should be made, and while the directions are definite enough for all to understand their duty, there is room for the judgment and the conscience to have free play. ... The tithing system is beautiful in its equality and simplicity. It gives all an opportunity to help carry forward the precious work of salvation. Every man, woman, and child may become a treasurer for the Lord. {ST March 18, 1886, par. 7}
"If all would be prompt in paying an honest tithe to the Lord, which is his portion, the treasury would not lack for means." RH February 19, 1889, par. 2}
"God’s ministers should not fail to warn the people, showing from the Bible the result of withholding the tithe.” {PUR October 10, 1901, par. 3}
"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." {ST March 18, 1886, par. 6}
God ... has, through his blessing, made their nine-tenths worth more to them than the entire amount without his blessing." {RH December 15, 1874, par. 24}
Mrs. White wrote much on the curse that surely comes to those who withhold their tithe. She further stated that the curse would extend to the third and fourth generation when parents were not faithfully paying tithe.
"God’s Word in regard to paying tithe is plain and decided. Sad indeed will be the consequences to those who disobey. Blessings are given for obedience and curses for disobedience. To those who disobey, God says, “Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me.” {Lt 38, 1902, par. 24}
"The tithe is the Lord’s, and those who meddle with it will be punished with the loss of their heavenly treasure, unless they repent." {Ms 82, 1904, par. 13}
That tithe was to only be used to support men and women who were working full-time in gospel ministry (pastors, Bible worker and Bible teachers—male and female) in churches and schools, is made abundantly clear in her writings.
"That there may be no haphazard work and no error, He has made our duty on these points very plain. The portion that God has reserved for Himself is not to be diverted to any other purpose than that which He has specified. Let none feel at liberty to retain their tithe, to use according to their own judgment." {9T 247.2}
"He [God] claims the tithe as His own, and it should ever be regarded as a
sacred reserve, to be placed in His treasury and held sacred for His service
as He has appointed." {9T 247, 248}
Ellen White made several strong statement regarding the need to continue paying tithe into the treasury even if there were concerns with how things were being managed.
"Some have been dissatisfied and have said: “I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.” But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right." {92 249.2}
"It is not best under any circumstances to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony with everything your brethren do? The tithes and offerings are not the property of any man, but are to be used in doing a certain work for God. Unworthy ministers may receive some of the means thus raised, but dare any one, because of this, withhold from the treasury, and brave the curse of God? I dare not. I pay my tithes gladly and freely, saying, as did David, “Of thine own have we given thee.” {SpTA01b 27.1}
Sometimes supported poor and retired pastors whom the "Treasury" had arbitrarily chosen to not support with tithe money [in the South]. In doing so, she spoke of being instructed by God to do so, and chose not to give publicity to it. She also asserted that the money was not being taken out of the treasury.
Mrs. White sometimes supported Pastors' wives like Hetty Hurd, who were working full-time doing Bible work but not receiving any remuneration for their effort. She believed these women were gospel workers just as much as their husbands.
Ellen White encouraged individual to solicit gift and free-will offerings without seeking permission of the small "kingly" committee in Battle Creek that was actively hindering efforts that God was blessing [like Percy Magan who was raising money for the Madison School.]
•Encouraged grassroots missionary efforts—irregular lines—irregular in that the committees that were approving the "regular lines" of work were sometimes refusing to fund worthy projects because they preferred to support something else. These funds, however were not tithe funds, but funds raised to support build churches and sanitariums, and supporting foreign missions and churches.
Based on the information shared on this page and this summary, I believe we are to be faithfully paying our tithe into God's "treasury." even if there are things going on that do not seem right. That is our duty and we must be faithful obeying. In the document, "Existing Evils and Their Remedy," she suggests that speaking in discouraging ways only helps Satan efforts. Rather, we should be praying and believing that God WILL intervene! I believe there are issues right now, but we are trying to deal with them in worldly-wise ways and failing. Perhaps if we chose to be faithful, keep looking to God, God will intervene, and do miracles that can only come through His intervention.
What do you think about what I have shared? Please let me know.