Where Should I Pay My Tithe?

Transcription

1 Ellen White was directed specifically by God to do what she did. If you wish to follow her example, make sure that it is God s voice you are following. Ellen White indicates that her practice was because no system existed at that time to accomplish what needed to be done. Once the church established such a system, she ceased her practice. None of the tithe she gave or collected went outside the church structure. Instead it was directed to parts that were not getting what they needed due to the lack of the abovementioned system. Ellen White stopped her own practice and urged others not to follow her example. I would not advise that any one should make a practice of gathering up tithe money. Conclusion I see a weakened church because we have developed a form of osteoporosis. Our skeleton is being weakened because funds that should be available are being diverted or withheld. Without a strong skeleton, the church is weak and cannot be the healthy, vibrant bride of Christ. I appeal to all of us to support God s church by returning a faithful tithe and giving liberally to the local church budget. References 1 Malachi 1:6&7 (New King James Version). 2 Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, (Review & Herald Publishing, 1915) Ellen G. White Letter 136, August 14, Fred Lambert Ministries, Tithe and Giving Quotes. Retrieved from 7 Tony Cooke Ministries, Great Quotes and Thoughts Regarding Stewardship, Tithing, and Giving. Retrieved from pastoral_helps/quotes_thoughts.html Brief Bio of Ed Fargusson Ed Fargusson currently serves as Human Resources Director and Assistant to the President of the Northern California Conference. He has spent 20 years as a pastor and 10 years in church administrative work. He and his wife, Anne, have twin sons who attend Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Distributed by: Oregon Conference Stewardship Ministries Director: Stan Beerman Produced by: Pacific Union Conference Stewardship Department Director: Gordon Botting Design/Assistant Editor: Maricel Felarca A potpourri of practical ideas to help you become a better steward Where Should I Pay My Tithe? Part 2: Practical Reasons By Edward W. Fargusson, M. Div. August 2013 Volume 18, Issue 8 I watched my computer screen with great interest as a large orange octopus slithers across the deck of a ship. Keep watching, a voice says, you won t believe what you are about to see. No way! another voice chimes in as the octopus approaches a very small slit in the side of the ship. The opening is barely large enough for water to run off the deck and back into the sea but once the octopus discovers it, it becomes freedom. The videographer moves to observe from various angles so you can see the amazing feat as the octopus squeezes its large mass through a very small opening. Once it falls freely to the ocean, it disappears quickly, swimming away from the ship and danger. Not having a skeleton is fine if you are an octopus. But for us, without a skeleton, we couldn t walk, stand, sit, talk, or eat. Our skeleton is not to be seen but is critical for us to live. In the July issue of Stewpot I talked about the spiritual nature of tithing, emphasizing how tithe is all about our trust in God and how our control of where it goes undermines that trust. Now I want to address the practical implications of where you pay your tithe. My main point is that tithe and local church budget provide the skeleton for ministry. Without them the church is like an octopus, limited in movement and not very Give to God what s right not what s left. 5 Stewardship is a total lifestyle. It involves our health, time, talents, environment, relationships, spirituality, and finances.

2 I have observed 100,000 families over my years of investment counseling. I always saw greater prosperity and happiness among those families who tithed than among those who didn t. 6 Sir John Templeton, Chairman of Templeton Funds practical in our environment. The Need of a Foundation Every building needs some kind of foundation or it will eventually fall. Jesus made that point in the parable of the houses built on the sand and on the rock. We all recognize that principle. However, it has become popular today to only give to that which shows. The foundation of a building or the skeleton in your body doesn t get much attention. Many say they want to see where their money goes. We are addicted to the gratification of feedback on what we do. That is great but every pastor will tell you that no one wants to give to the electric bill. Recently, my pastor talked about the gratefulness of a family from our community. A 34-year-old father died, leaving his wife and two young boys. They don t have a church and asked to use ours for his service. They needed a pastor too. It was the result of faithful members returning tithe and giving to the local church budget that made the ministry of a building and a pastor a reality for that family. Independent ministries are able to be so targeted in their focus. Maranatha Volunteers International takes groups to other places to build churches. Canvasback Missions, Inc. provides medical teams to Micronesia. These are important ministries that are close in proximity to where I live and deserving of our support. But they didn t minister to that family in a time of need. Without tithe and local church budget, Maranatha and Canvasback would not have the foundation or skeleton to keep operating. It is not a competition for the dollar but rather we are all part of the body and need one another to keep functioning as a whole. Temple Corruption I hear people talk about not paying tithe because they don t agree with what the church is doing. How well do you think the temple was run in the days of Malachi? Do you think God was happy with the priests of that day? Read Malachi, the whole book! To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, In what way have we despised Your name? You offer defiled food on My altar. 1 The temple in Malachi s day was corrupt and yet God instructed His people to keep returning their tithe to that corrupt temple. Read carefully the third chapter of Malachi, and see what God says about the tithe. If our churches will take their stand upon the Lord's word, and be faithful in paying their tithe into His treasury, more laborers will be encouraged to take up ministerial work. More men would give themselves to the ministry were they not told of the depleted treasury. There should be an abundant supply in the Lord's treasury, and there would be if selfish hearts and hands had not withheld the tithes, or made use of them to support other lines of work. 2 How should we address problems in the church? Not by withholding tithe! We should pay our tithe to the church without hesitation. Then we should become active in the church to exercise our influence on its operation. As active church members, board members, and representatives at conference constituencies, we should make it known that we expect our church to follow after God. Then we should leave it in God s hands. Ellen White s Use of Tithe There will always be those who claim to follow Ellen White s example when they divert tithe. I find most people have never actually read for themselves what Ellen White did with tithe. You can read about it yourself on the White Estate website. 3 Let me share with you my conclusions after studying for myself: The Stewpot "A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing. 7 Martin Luther August 2013

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6 2013 CHIP Pre-Registration Form (Additional required forms available at information sessions) Name(s) Last First Initial Last First Initial Mailing Address City State Zip Phone Home Cell Please select ONE information session that you will attend to complete registration and be informed about the CHIP schedule. 1 Tuesday, Sept. 3 7:00-8:00 Beaverton SDA Church 1 Monday, Sept. 9 7:00-8:00 Beaverton SDA Church 1 Tuesday, Sept. 10 7:00-8:00 St. Vincent Hospital Early Registration Fees Register and Pay by Sept. 5 Receive discount After Sept. 5 Register and Pay 1 Per person $425 1 Alumni $425 1 Per person $450 1 Alumni $450 METHOD OF PAYMENT Check or Money Order To: Beaverton SDA Church -- Memo: CHIP Bring to an information session or Mail with your payment to: Beaverton SDA Church, Attn: CHIP SW Davis Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007