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Counsels on Stewardship
The Back Tithe is God’s Property
Many have long neglected to deal honestly with their Maker. Fail-
ing to lay aside the tithe weekly, they have let it accumulate, until it
amounts to a large sum, and now they are very reluctant to make the
matter right. This back tithe they keep, using it as their own. But it is
God’s property, which they have refused to put into His treasury.—
The
Review and Herald, December 23, 1890
.
The Careless and Indifferent to Redeem Their Honor
Let those who have become careless and indifferent, and are with-
holding their tithes and offerings, remember that they are blocking
the way, so that the truth cannot go forth to the regions beyond. I
am bidden to call upon the people of God to redeem their honor by
rendering to God a faithful tithe.—
Manuscript 44, 1905
.
Payment by Note
Friday morning I spoke on the subject of tithing. This subject
has not been presented to the churches as it should have been, and
the neglect, together with financial depression, has caused a marked
falling off in the tithes the past year. At this conference the subject has
been carefully canvassed in meeting after meeting....
One brother, a noble-looking man, a delegate from Tasmania, came
[97]
to me and said, “I am glad I heard you speak today upon tithing. I did
not know it was so important a matter. I dare not neglect it longer.” He
is now figuring up the amount of his tithe for the last twenty years, and
says he shall pay it all as fast as he is able, for he cannot have robbery
of God registered in the books of heaven meet him in the judgment.
One sister belonging to the Melbourne church, has brought in
eleven pounds [$54] back tithe which she had not understood that it
devolved on her to pay. As they have received the light, many have
made confession in regard to their indebtedness to God, and expressed
their determination to meet this debt.... I proposed that they place in
the treasury their note promising to pay the full amount of an honest
tithe as soon as they could obtain the money to do so. Many heads
bowed assent, and I am confident that next year we shall not, as now,
have an empty treasury.—
Manuscript 4, 1893
.