I was very much pleased with the article in your paper on the giving of the tenth; but would it not be more correct to render it paying, since we know that God has reserved to himself the tenth of man's income and the seventh of his time? These two things belong to God, and whoever keeps back the same is so much in debt to Him. Man has the liberty to give offerings in both money and time; but how much better would his offering be, if he had already paid that which he owes.
Just let me tell you what I once heard a servant of God say about his own experience in paying the tenth. He, like the writer of the article, never knew any one turn back from serving the Lord on account of paying tithe; but I know that his experience was that a great many ran back, afraid of trusting the Lord; but his own experience was that since he had begun to pay tithe his master had sent for him to come into the office no fewer than eleven times, to raise his wages, without ever having been asked for an advance.
He told me about a lady whom he knew, that was in business, who was bold enough to try the Lord in this matter, whose takings never exceeded £70 per week; but on paying her first tithe she drew over £400 the following week.
Now who will dare to trust the Lord even with His own? Oh, these sins of omission, how heavily they weigh upon us! We seem to realize the sins of commission more easily; but I am afraid that the sins of omission will rise up still higher, if possible, to condemn us in the end.
It is really not a matter of much importance which term one uses concerning the tithe, provided one recognizes the true principle in it; although we ought always to endeavor to use correct terms, since names and words have a great influence on our actions.
But as a matter of fact, either word, pay, or give, is correct as regards the tithe, since both are used in the Bible. In Genesis 14 it is said of Abraham that he gave Melchizedek tithes of all; but in Paul's reference to the affair, in Hebrews 7:9, it is said that Levi paid tithes in Abraham. The tithe does indeed belong to the Lord, and is due Him, so much so that those who withhold it are declared to be robbing God (Malachi 3:8-9); but we often in common language use the word "give" in connection with the payment of debt. Thus, one might say, "I gave the man his money," although the money was due him.
Perhaps, however, if we studied the matter very closely, we might see that, while the tithe belongs to the Lord, and is paid to Him, we give it to those who are set over His work, that they may use it in His service. Thus in the 7th of Hebrews it is made evident that Christ, "of whom it is witnessed that He lives," (Hebrews 7:8) is the real receiver of the tithe; men are but His stewards.
Some people hesitate to speak about the payment of the tithe, lest it should repel the hearers; and we often find people speaking against it as a harsh, arbitrary requirement. They seem to regard it as a tax, and if they render it to the ministry at all they do it grudgingly, as though the receivers of it were tax collectors.
Now all this comes from an utterly false and narrow view of the matter. There is a rich blessing connected with the payment of tithe; and in asking people to do it, we are doing it for their own good--that they may receive a blessing. To all the requirements of God, the words of Christ are applicable: "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them." (John 13:17)
A blessing comes in the doing; for all the commandments of God are promises.
No one should pay tithe with the idea that he is thereby contributing something to God or His cause, and therefore entitled to something in return. All should do it as a matter of simple justice, and loving and joyful recognition of God as the Creator and upholder of all--the great Provider. The constant recognition of God keeps us in continual, conscious touch with Him, and thus ensures His guidance and protection. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)
And this acknowledgment has special reference to the devoting of money to His service; for immediately we read: "Honor the Lord with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all your increase: So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shallburst out with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10)
I have known men who would say, "Why cling to the old, narrow, Jewish ordinance of the tithe, when all that we have belongs to the Lord?" and while excusing themselves from paying tithe, on the ground that all belongs to God, they would avoid giving anything. It is true that all we have and are belongs to God, and that is the basis of our offerings of money and service; but the tithe is a special test of faith, and so brings a special blessing. It is God's appointed means of supporting those who devote their entire time and strength to Gospel work, making no provision whatever for themselves. And those who minister faithfully, and receive their support from the Lord's treasury, are not to be counted paupers or pensioners any more than those who labor for wages in shop or field; for they also are supported out of God's storehouse. "Do you not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)
Our friend has told of material blessings that have accompanied the payment of the tithe. That is what the Lord promises. He says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, says 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, says the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 3:8-11)
This is not a bribe, that the Lord offers; for He is not in need of anything, and we cannot give Him anything; but it is a statement of what will necessarily follow a complete and faithful recognition of Him. It cannot be otherwise, for the Lord is rich, and it would not speak well of Him to allow His faithful children to come to want. "But why does not the Lord do just as much for us without our paying tithe?" it may be asked. He does indeed do all things for everybody; but it is faith that appropriates; and there is nothing except keeping of the Sabbath that tests one's faith like the payment of tithe when one is hard pressed for the necessities of life. One reason why the blessing promised through the prophet Malachi is not more apparent is that few pay all the tithe. That blessing is contingent upon nothing being kept back. Let each one examine his own course, and see if he is honest with the Lord. If he is not, what right has he to expect special blessings? "But is it not cruel to ask the poor to pay tithe?"
Read Malachi 3:10-11 again, and then ask the question. Is it cruel to ask men to serve the Master who has "unsearchable riches," (Ephesians 3:8) to whom the earth with all its fullness belongs, and who counts His servants as His own children? "Would you receive tithe from the poor?"
Yes, certainly; with greater joy than from the rich; for they need the blessing more. As a matter of fact, it is chiefly those of small means who pay tithe, and who experience God's blessing. The rich man, with a vast income, looks at the tenth of it, and thinks that it is too large a sum to part with, not considering how much he has left; but the poor man's tithe is so small that it does not trouble him so much to part with it. In fact it is so small that he is often ashamed to give so little to the Lord, and so, like the poor widow, he casts in his whole living.
There is yet to be considered the question of debts owed to men,--whether one should pay tithe while he has other debts pressing,--and the devoting of the Lord's money to one's own personal use, under the pressure of great necessity; and next week, if the Lord will, we shall present a little historical incident which will show the shortsightedness of such a course. [The promised article did not appear in the next week's Present Truth. But in the week after that, the October 2, 1902 edition, an article appeared which matches this description, titled "Misappropriation of Funds." Even though it was not published under the "Editor's Private Corner" heading, I have included that article, just after the next one]--Present Truth, September 18, 1902.