Chapter 100—The Tithe
The great work which Jesus announced that He came to do was
intrusted to His followers upon the earth. Christ, as our head, leads
out in the great work of salvation, and bids us follow His example. He
has given us a world-wide message. This truth must be extended to
all nations, tongues, and people. Satan’s power was to be contested,
and he was to be overcome by Christ and also by His followers. An
extensive war was to be maintained against the powers of darkness.
And in order to do this work successfully, means were required. God
does not propose to send means direct from heaven, but He gives into
the hands of His followers talents of means to use for the very purpose
of sustaining this warfare.
He has given His people a plan for raising sums sufficient to make
the enterprise self-sustaining. God’s plan in the tithing system is
beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith
and courage, for it is divine in its origin. In it are combined simplicity
and utility, and it does not require depth of learning to understand and
execute it. All may feel that they can act a part in carrying forward
the precious work of salvation. Every man, woman and youth may
become a treasurer for the Lord, and may be an agent to meet the
demands upon the treasury. Says the apostle, “Let every one of you
lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.”
Great objects are accomplished by this system. If one and all would
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accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God;
and there would be no want of means with which to carry forward
the great work of sounding the last message of warning to the world.
The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the contributors
will not be left the poorer. Through every investment made, they will
become more wedded to the cause of present truth. They will be
“laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”—
Testimonies for the
Church 3:388, 389
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