Tithe
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Recognition of God’s Ownership
The consecration to God of a tithe of all increase, whether of the
orchard and harvest-field, the flocks and herds, or the labor of brain or
hand; the devotion of a second tithe for the relief of the poor and other
benevolent uses, tended to keep fresh before the people the truth of
God’s ownership of all, and of their opportunity to be channels of His
blessings. It was a training adapted to kill out all narrowing selfishness,
and to cultivate breadth and nobility of character.—
Education, 44
.
Belongs to God
“The tithe ... is the Lord’s.” Here the same form of expression is
employed as in the law of the Sabbath. “The seventh day is the Sabbath
of the Lord thy God.” God reserved to Himself a specified portion
of man’s time and of his means, and no man could, without guilt,
appropriate either for his own interests.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 525,
526
.
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