NAD Follies I: The Tithing Issue

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This is an interesting article on the tithe issue which occurred during the recent NAD meetings. Part of what I noted is that the NAD is planning on reducing the amount of tithe money sent to the GC. But even more concerning is the declining interest in supporting the growth of the world church by arguably the richest division in the church. When you consider that at one time, church members gave over $6 dollars for missions for every $10 dollars in tithe money, and today it has shrunk by some sources to about 26¢ per $10 tithe. Given the vast increase in affluence in Western countries, it seems that a huge increase in self centeredness has occurred. As a clip in another thread noted, "Winter is coming," in the church, it is already here.

Of interest, also, is the authors imagination of how he wished things had gone at the NAD meetings.

http://www.fulcrum7.com/blog/2018/12/4/regarding-nad-tithe-parity

[Gregory Matthews]

The links above generally suggest that the NAD proponents of reducing the NAD tithe contribution to a 2% consistent with the rest of the world as being selfish.  They suggest that we are wealthy and should give more.  In actual fact, our 2% will remain above that of other places.  The NAD has more income than do many other Divisions.  Therefore, the NDADs 2% contribution will be more.

To illustrate,  the figures that I give below are simply to illustrate and do not reflect actual figures:

Division X has $1,000,000 in tithe income.  It's 2% contribution amounts to $20,000.

The NAD has $10,000,000 in tithe income.  It's 2% contribution amounts to $200,000,which is 10 times the amount of the contribution of Division X.

That is exactly how it should be.

The actual fact of the matter is:  The NAD is in many ways failing to reach  its obligation to reach those who are not saved.  One aspect of this is due to a lack of funds.

A few days ago I was informed of a Conference which will not be named, who asked its local congregations to submit requests for evangelism funds for local projects.  The requests totaled over $400,000.     That local Conference had $70,000 in funds available to distribute.

Yes, it may be said that the NAD is wealthy in comparison to some other Divisions.  But, in comparison to them it is much more expensive to do whatever needs to be done in the NAD.

I have lived in Asia and in Central America.  I can vouch for the fact that in those countries oftentimes it cost much less to do something than it would have cost to do the same in the NAD.

 

 

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On 12/8/2018 at 7:29 AM, Gregory Matthews said:

The actual fact of the matter is:  The NAD is in many ways failing to reach  its obligation to reach those who are not saved.  One aspect of this is due to a lack of funds.

A few days ago I was informed of a Conference which will not be named, who asked its local congregations to submit requests for evangelism funds for local projects.  The requests totaled over $400,000.     That local Conference had $70,000 in funds available to distribute.

Yes, it may be said that the NAD is wealthy in comparison to some other Divisions.  But, in comparison to them it is much more expensive to do whatever needs to be done in the NAD.

I have lived in Asia and in Central America.  I can vouch for the fact that in those countries oftentimes it cost much less to do something than it would have cost to do the same in the NAD.

Many people in this country (USA) complain about the 1%. Reality is, if you live in this country, you are the "1%" (crunching the numbers may make it mathematically less, but we do live far more affluently than most of the rest of the world). More than half of the world lives on something like less than $20/month. So, reducing the money sent to GC is really hurting the work of the Gospel the world over. Consider the 60-40 rectangle where millions, if not billions, have not heard of Jesus. But who hasn't heard of Jesus in the USA and hasn't already turned Him down?

Division X may have far less money, but there are many more Div Xs than wealthy divisions. Compare the NAD with all the rest of the world and who has the most money.

Also, yeah, we need more money for evangelism, but if they were not frittering away money on rebellion and fighting the GC, there would be more money. The rebellion is getting more and more serious all the time.

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I can't imagine what the results of this study regarding the parents of lgbt children will do. And done with tithe monies!

http://www.fulcrum7.com/news/2018/11/30/nad-funds-study-on-parents-of-lgbt-adventist-millennials

"Some of the supposed advantages for which the Lord’s money is spent
are concocted by Satan, to confuse God’s people and lead them in
false paths. As he succeeds in inducing the workers to leave the
right track, he comes closer and closer, framing lies for their
acceptance" (Lt 98, 1900).

[phkrause]

Interesting article and some very lively comments!!