Chapter 13—Founded Upon Eternal Principles
The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men
were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the
definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of
Adam. In complying with God’s requirements, they were to manifest
in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them.
This was continued through successive generations, and was carried
out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the
most high God.
The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob, when at
Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night, solitary
and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the Lord, “Of
all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.” God
does not compel men to give. All that they give must be voluntary.
He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling offerings.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:393
.
Paul’s Recognition of the System
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gave the believers
instruction regarding the general principles underlying the support of
God’s work in the earth. Writing of his apostolic labors in their behalf,
he inquired:
“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth
a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock,
and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or
saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses,
[70]
Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.
Doth God take care for oxen? or saith He it altogether for our sakes?
For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should
plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope.
63