Tithing -- Its Not Just About Money

[CGMedley]

Even though tithing goes to the heart of our financial lives, the issues raised are greater than mere dollars and cents.

In this week's Adventist Review, news editor Mark Kellner explores the relationship between stewardship and discipleship.

http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=2010-1530&page=18

[phkrause]

This was a very interesting article

[Outta Here]

I'm fairly certain it varies somewhat from conference to conference. Here is a breakdown from WikiAnswers to the Stewardship questions in the Pathfinder Honor, "Stewardship".

Quote:

This working policy, published by the General Conference describes how tithe may and may not be used by the local churches, local conferences, unions, divisions, and the General Conference itself. It would be good for you as the instructor to download and read it in its entirety, but a short summary is provided below.

Tithe is to be collected by the local churches, and all of it is to be forwarded to the local conference. Local churches are under no circumstances to retain any portion of the tithe. Local conferences in turn take a portion of the tithe for the uses listed below, and forward the remainder to the union. The union does the same, forwarding the remainder to the division, and the division forwards the remainder to the GC.

Acceptable Uses

1.Support of Pastors, Evangelists, Ministers

2.World Missions

3.Soul-winning Support Personnel

4.Conference/Mission Operating Expense

5.Literature Evangelist Benefit Fund

6.Subsidies for Specified Activities (such as youth evangelism camps)

7.Evangelistic and Conference/Mission Office Equipment

8.Bible/Religion Teaching and Support Personnel in Schools

9.Retired Employees

Unacceptable Uses

1.Capital Expenditures for Buildings and Churches

2.Equipment (other than for conference/mission use)

3.Local Church Operating Expense

4.School Operating Expense

And from the Adventist Personal Giving Plan,

Quote:

The tithe is the Lord’s and is a tenth of our income or in the case of a business - a tenth of the increase or profit. The tithe is Holy and is not negotiable. Offerings, on the other hand, are given systematically not on a Biblically mandated percentage but rather “as God has prospered us.” The giving percentage is left to the individual. The PGP suggests a percentage so that the church can plan its budget and carry on its mission. Some may not be able to meet the suggested guidelines and others could contribute a much higher percentage. The following list repeats the five areas mentioned above with the suggested percentages for the offerings given.

a. Tithe 10% - To support the gospel ministry of the world church.

b. Local Church 5% - To support the local church mission, ministry and physical plant.

c. Conference Advance 2% - To support the non-tithe projects of the Local Conference. This usually includes Secondary Education (Academy),Evangelism, the Youth Camp, etc.

d. World Budget 3% - To maintain and expand the missionary outreach of the World Church.

e. Special Projects Funds given in this category are more discretionary to the individual giver. Funds might go to a special appeal, a needy person, or a project of special interest to the giver.

This giving category is beyond the regular systematic giving and so therefore does not have a suggested percentage. Contributions to most direct mail or phone solicitations would fit in this category. Members should realized that appeals made directly to the home are discretionary and should be supported, if one is able, only as a part of the overall systematic giving plan as part of this category.

[Woody]

What questions do you have that have not been answered?

[Woody]

Thanks CoA ... Appreciate your questions. Not sure where to begin. But I think there may be some misunderstandings on tithe.

One is that I think we can't have 'Biblical Justification' for every thing we do. We have principles but at some point we have to use our God given wisdom don't we?

Regarding : "why are so many of our schools in disrepair"

Again ... I am not aware that tithe goes to maintainance of school buildings. So, the answer would be that people are not donating to this cause.

I know nothing about "duplication of personnel".

"Why do we not fund certain districts with pastors?"

There are many reasons. One big one is that there are not enough members in the district. And not enough pastors. These days pastors are greatly stretched. Hardly fair to stretch them further. Another problem here is our view of the pastor. What really is her job as a pastor. That subject could go on and on.

"Why can we not afford more pastors"? Because the majority of SDAs don't pay a faithful tithe.

"why do we not put the best foot forward for schools, elementary-Acadamy, and on and on"?

Because people are not donating to this cause. It's called freedom of choice.

Mostly ... tithe does not support schools. Member must give directly to this cause. I like this. I would not want it to come from some big pot like tithe. I like more control of

my donations. I like to direct my funds to the areas that the Holy Spirit directs. So, the real answer is that members are not convicted of the value of putting their money in

schools. I went through all of our schools clear through college. But I am one of those who is critical of putting a lot of funds into our schools while neglecting our churches.

I am not sure what is wrong with "stewardship" and "relationship with God". I firmly believe that if you have a relationship with God ... you WILL be paying a faithful tithe. While I might not push that thought on others ... I do push it on myself. And I honestly can't see a better place to put my money. My love for God is primary. Giving HIM my money is natural. So, I don't do it 'blindly'. I do it naturally.

[Woody]

I agree with you. I just don't see much of what you are talking about.

[phkrause]

Personally I don't care how they spent it! They will be accountable to God, as I will be accountable to him, since all the money is his anyway.

[Woody]

Good Point PK. Our job is to give and that is where our responsibility ends. Like ANY organization ... we can find faults. Although like I said I don't see as much as what CoA is talking about.

[Woody]

I think tithe is something that we give to God and let Him do with as He pleases. It's HIS responsibility. The rest or 90% is our 'talent' and that is what we need to be wise about using.