"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."
"The Lord calls for his tithe to be given in to his treasury. Strictly, honestly, and faithfully, let this portion be returned to him."
"Chapter 34—Systematic Benevolence
Should all whom God has prospered with earth’s riches carry out His plan by faithfully giving a tenth of all their increase, and should they not withhold their trespass offerings and their thank offerings, the treasury would be constantly replenished. The simplicity of the plan of systematic benevolence does not detract from its merits, but extols the wisdom of God in its arrangement. Everything bearing the divine stamp unites simplicity with utility. If systematic benevolence were universally adopted according to God’s plan, and the tithing system carried out as faithfully by the wealthy as it is by the poorer classes, there would be no need of repeated and urgent calls for means at our large religious gatherings. There has been a neglect in the churches of keeping up the plan of systematic benevolence, and the result has been an impoverished treasury and a backslidden church. {3T 408.5} “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 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 open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” {3T 409.1.} God has been robbed in tithes and offerings. It is a fearful thing to be guilty of withholding from the treasury or of robbing God. Ministers who preach the word at our large gatherings feel the sinfulness of neglecting to render to God the things that are His. They know that God will not bless His people while they are disregarding His plan of benevolence. They seek to arouse the people to their duty by pointed, practical discourses, showing the danger and sinfulness of selfishness and covetousness. Conviction fastens upon minds, and the icy chill of selfishness is broken. And when the call is made for donations to the cause of God, some, under the stirring influence of the meetings, are aroused to give who otherwise would do nothing. As far as this class is concerned, good results have been realized. But under pressing calls many feel the deepest who have not had their hearts frozen up with selfishness. They have conscientiously kept their means flowing out to advance the cause of God. Their whole being is stirred by the earnest appeals made, and the very ones respond who may have given all that their circumstances in life would justify. {3T 409.2}” … God has devised a plan by which all may give as He has prospered them, and which will make giving a habit without waiting for special calls. Those who can do this, but will not because of their selfishness, are robbing their Creator, who has bestowed upon them means to invest in His cause to advance its interests. Until all shall carry out the plan of systematic benevolence, there will be a failure in coming up to the apostolic rule. Those who minister in word and doctrine should be men of discrimination. They should, while they make general appeals, become acquainted with the ability of those who respond to their appeals, and should not allow the poor to pay large pledges. After a man has once consecrated a certain sum to the Lord, he feels that it is sacred, consecrated to a holy use. This is true, and therefore our preaching brethren should be well informed of whom they accept pledges. {3T 411.2}. Each member of the different families in our churches who believes the truth may act a part in its advancement by cheerfully adopting systematic benevolence. “Let every one of you lay by him in store [by himself at home], ... that there be no gatherings when I come.” The burden of urging and pressing individuals to give of their means was not designed to be the work of God’s ministers. The responsibility should rest upon every individual who enjoys the belief of the truth. “Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” Every member of the family, from the oldest down to the youngest, may take part in this work of benevolence. {3T 411.3} …. Systematic and liberal giving in accordance with the plan keeps the channel of the heart open. We place ourselves in connection with God, that He may use us as channels through which His gifts may flow to others. The poor will not complain of systematic benevolence, for it touches them lightly. They are not neglected and passed by, but are favored with acting a part in being co-workers with Christ, and will receive the blessing of God as well as the wealthy. In the very process of laying aside the littles as they can spare them they are denying self and cultivating liberality of heart. They are educating themselves to good works, and are as effectually meeting the design of God in the plan of systematic benevolence as are the more wealthy who give of their abundance. {3T 412.3}. In the days of the apostles, men went everywhere preaching the word. New churches were raised up. Their love and zeal for Christ led them to acts of great denial and sacrifice. Many of these Gentile churches were very poor, yet the apostle declares that their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. Their gifts were extended beyond their ability to give. Men periled their lives and suffered the loss of all things for the truth’s sake. {3T 413.1}. The apostle suggests the first day of the week as a proper time to review the course of Providence and the prosperity experienced, and in the fear of God, with true gratitude of heart for the blessings He has bestowed, to decide how much, according to His own devised plan, shall be rendered back to Him. {3T 413.2}
"A good work is going on in the Sydney church, for which we praise the Lord. The Lord gave me a special testimony for the entire church, and for two men in particular, who had been hindrances to the church ever since it was organized. They would not pay their tithes, yet they were free to find fault if they did not have a minister to preach to them. When they did have a minister, they criticized him and the message he bore. About three weeks ago, I felt that it was time for me to speak plainly. I labored with the church about three hours, and the Lord drew near and by His Holy Spirit melted the hard hearts of these men. They both say that from henceforth they will pay their tithes, and one brother said that he would also pay the last year’s tithe that he now owes. {Lt48-1895.}
They are converted men. The church members look on with astonishment to see the change that has taken place in them. They say it was a miracle of God. No one, either of ministers or people, could do anything with these men, or obtain the least encouragement in talking with them. I presented the fact before the church that the Lord was sending His ministers to labor in the vicinity of Sydney; but that I would not advise them to work in Sydney until these men either came into harmony with their brethren and the work of God or would leave the church altogether. The Word preached did them no good, because it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it. But the brethren accepted the testimony in every particular, and my heart is relieved of its burden. {Lt48-1895.}
"The reproof and warning and promise of the Lord are given in definite language in Malachi 3:8; “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?” The Lord answers, “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” The Lord of heaven challenges those whom he has supplied with his bounties to prove him. “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 open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” {RH December 1, 1896, Art. B, par. 21} This message has lost none of its force. It is just as fresh in its importance as God’s gifts are fresh and continual. There is no difficulty in understanding our duty in the light of this message, given through God’s holy prophet. We are not left to stumble along in darkness and disobedience. The truth is plainly stated, and it can be clearly understood by all who wish to be honest in the sight of God. A tithe of all our income is the Lord’s. He lays his hand upon that portion which he has specified that we shall return to him, and says, I allow you to use my bounties after you have laid aside the tenth, and have come before me with gifts and offerings. {RH December 1, 1896, Art. B, par. 22} The Lord calls for his tithe to be given in to his treasury. Strictly, honestly, and faithfully, let this portion be returned to him. Besides this, he calls for your gifts and offerings. No one is compelled to present his tithe or his gifts and offerings to the Lord. But just as surely as God’s word is given to us, just so surely will he require his own with usury at the hand of every human being. If men are unfaithful in rendering to God his own, if they disregard God’s charge to his stewards, they will not long have the blessing of that which the Lord has entrusted to them. {RH December 1, 1896, Art. B, par. 23}
"Every soul converted is to have the light in regard to the Lord’s requirement for tithes and offerings. All that men enjoy they receive from the Lord’s great farm, and He is pleased to have His heritage enjoy His goods; but He has made a special contract with all who stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel, that they may show their dependence and accountability to God by returning to His treasury a certain portion as His own. This is to be invested in supporting the missionary work, which must be done to fulfill the commission given to them by the Son of God just before He left His disciples. {Ms 123, 1898, par. 6}
"Today how many are reading and heeding the message given in the last two chapters of Malachi? Many have robbed God, retaining the tithe money, which belongs to Him. Because they have refused to return to Him that which is His own, His work has been retarded. The money that should have filled His treasury has been sparingly brought in, and consequently the work that ought to have been done has not been done. The gospel has not yet been preached to many of the poor, the needy, and the broken-hearted. {Ms 25, 1902, par. 1} The Lord has marked every such robbery of His treasury. In that day when every account shall be brought up for settlement, all will be rewarded according to their works. “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? {Ms 25, 1902, par. 2}. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 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 open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Malachi 3:7-12.] {Ms 25, 1902, par. 3} How can the families that withhold from God the tithes and the offerings that should be given to sustain His work in the world offer up their prayers in faith? How can they remain innocent of the blood of souls, when because of unfaithful stewardship they allow many to die in ignorance of the truth? How can they deny that they have robbed God, when He withholds His blessing from them? What can they say, when the curse of God is pronounced upon them, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation”? [Verse 9.] {Ms 25, 1902, par. 4}
"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}. The need and importance of paying tithe is plainly pointed out in the third chapter of Malachi. God says, “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 open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” [Verse 10.] {Lt 38, 1902, par. 20}. Carefully read the whole of this chapter, and follow its instruction, for your own good as well as for the sake of others, who will be helped by your example. 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? If you neglect so plain a “Thus saith the Lord,” I greatly fear that you will make of little account many other of His requirements, choosing to do as you please, and to risk the consequences. Temptations to make of none effect the requirements of God are abundant. Yield not to them. Come up square and true to the very line God has laid down. Satan tempts us to withhold from the Lord His own. Can we doubt what the result of yielding to this temptation will be when we read the words, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” [Verses 8, 9.] {Lt 38, 1902, par. 22}. 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.” To those who obey, He says, “I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Verses 9, 11, 12.] {Lt 38, 1902, par. 24}
"he Lord is seeking to cultivate in us gratitude and liberality. He desires to free us from selfishness, which is so offensive to Him, because so contrary to His character. In carrying out God’s plan, men may, by His grace, so relate themselves to Him and to their fellow men that they will be registered in the books of heaven as co-laborers with Christ in the great plan of redemption. {RH February 4, 1902, par. 6}. Not only does the Lord claim the tithe as His own, but He tells us how it should be reserved for Him. He says, “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase.” This does not teach that we are to spend our means on ourselves, and bring to the Lord the remnant, even though it should be otherwise an honest tithe. Let God’s portion be first set apart. The directions given by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul in regard to gifts, present a principle that applies also to tithing: “On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” Parents and children are here included. Not only the rich, but the poor, are addressed. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart [through the candid consideration of God’s prescribed plan], so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The gifts are to be made in consideration of the great goodness of God to us. {RH February 4, 1902, par. 7} And what more appropriate time could be chosen for setting aside the tithe and presenting our offerings to God? On the Sabbath we have thought upon His goodness. We have beheld His work in creation as an evidence of His power in redemption. Our hearts are filled with thankfulness for His great love. And now, before the toil of a week begins, we return to Him His own, and with it an offering to testify our gratitude. Thus our practice will be a weekly sermon, declaring that God is the possessor of all our property, and that He has made us stewards to use it to His glory. Every acknowledgment of our obligation to God will strengthen the sense of obligation. Gratitude deepens as we give it expression, and the joy it brings is life to soul and body. {RH February 4, 1902, par. 8}. The duty and privilege of systematic giving to the cause of God is a matter that should by no means be neglected by our ministers. God has called them to watch for souls as they that must give an account. He has commissioned them to bear His message to the churches. They should see that none are left in ignorance concerning this subject. They should seek to impress the people with a sense of their entire dependence upon God, and their accountability to Him for all His benefits. {RH February 4, 1902, par. 9}. God has given special direction as to the use to which the tithe should be devoted. 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 all 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. God has shown honor to men in taking them into partnership with himself in the great work of redemption. He expects His agents to labor not against Him, but in unison with Him, that His treasury may be supplied. {RH February 4, 1902, par. 10}. 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. Let him not give his influence to any plans for diverting from their legitimate use the tithes and offerings dedicated to God. Let them be placed in the Lord’s treasury, and held sacred for His service as He has appointed. {RH February 4, 1902, par. 11}. The tithe is God’s portion, not at all the property of man, and the Scripture declares that he who withholds it is guilty of robbery. Who, then, will stand with clean hands before the Lord? {RH February 4, 1902, par. 12}
"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 33, 1907, par. 13}
God will judge for these things. One reasons that the tithe may be applied 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 be today in the field one hundred well-qualified laborers where now there is but one. {Ms 33, 1907, par. 14}. The tithe is sacred, reserved by God for Himself. It is to be brought into His treasury to be used to sustain the gospel laborers in their work. For a long time the Lord has been robbed because there are those who do not realize that the tithe is God’s reserved portion. {Ms 33, 1907, par. 15}. 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. {Ms 33, 1907, par. 16}. Read carefully the third chapter of Malachi, and see what God says about the tithe. If our churches will take their stand upon the Lord’s Word, and be faithful in paying their tithe into His treasury, more laborers will be encouraged to take up ministerial work. More men would give themselves to the ministry were they not told of the depleted treasury. There should be an abundant supply in the Lord’s treasury, and there would be if selfish hearts and hands had not withheld tithes, or made use of them to support others lines of work. {Ms 33, 1907, par. 17}. 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. The opening of new fields requires more ministerial efficiency than we now have, and there must be means in the treasury. {Ms 33, 1907, par. 18}