Mission, Spirituality, Connecting  

Tithing has always been simple to me—return to the Lord ten percent of my increase. Our church leadership, however, faces continuing and complex challenges in a global economy impacted by advances in technology. World currency values are constantly changing while some governments place a freeze on domestic currency leaving their country. Communication technologies have also dramatically expanded opportunities to do evangelism.

In order to ensure that the sacred work of handling tithe funds remains biblical and spiritually on target, our General Conference leadership set up the Use of Tithe Commission. For several years, I have been privileged to serve on this 59-member group of administrators, pastors, theologians and laypersons from around the world. We met once each year coinciding with the General Conference Executive Committee in order to minimize travel expenses.

Our task was to: 1) Review and analyze current practices and policies on the use of tithe, and identify the challenges arising from those practices and policies; 2) Restudy the biblical record of the use of tithe and the supplemental writings of Ellen G. White, including a review of previous documents and materials on the use of tithe; and 3) Make recommendations for any changes in the policies and guidelines of the use of tithe, based on the outcomes of our study.

At the first meeting we focused on the realities of funding ministry, identifying where practice is good and where challenges exist. During at least two meetings, we reviewed several papers on the practice and principles laid down in Scripture and supported by the supplementary works of Ellen G. White. I and others were exceptionally grateful for this approach of study as it laid the foundation to our task of re-examining the policy and the practice to give direction for the careful handling of God's sacred tithe funds in the future. Read More

 

Don Livesay

President

President's Greeting