We got mail…

Tithing truth

I just want to express my appreciation for you and Nikki tackling the Adventist doctrines in the latest podcasts. I just listened to the  podcast on fundamental belief #1, and it is very insightful and informative. Although I realize that what I am about to ask you is not about  belief #1, what Nikki mentioned in passing during the podcast triggered a question I often have which is the topic of tithing.  The Adventist church states that tithe could only be used for certain purposes and not for “every” type of expenses. Could you please point me to the Biblical position on this topic? Or perhaps there is a previous Proclamation! article on this that you can refer me to?

Now that I have caught up on the podcasts, I will begin to go through the articles on the former Adventist website. I continue to be amazed at things I learned in the Adventist church that I realize are not biblical. I started making a list of these (latter rain, hastening the second coming, free will, probation, food laws,  and so forth) and now agree that EGW (even though I never read much of her writing) does influence so much of Adventist doctrine! Thank you to everyone at your ministry!  

—VIA EMAIL

Response: Tithing was part of the Mosaic covenant; there is no command for tithe in the new covenant. Moreover, the way Israel was to practice tithing was nothing like the practice adopted by many churches. Look up Deuteronomy 14:22–29, for example. Israelites were to eat and drink the tithe of their produce in a yearly, corporate tithe party at the sanctuary. Furthermore, every third year they were to give an additional tithe to the people who didn’t have land, including the levites, who didn’t have a land allotment. 

The New Testament, on the other hand, teaches giving cheerfully, giving with premeditation, and giving sacrificially. 2 Corinthians 9 explains New Covenant giving. When we are the Lord’s, all we have is His. Many churches do teach giving tithe for the work of the Lord and the support of the church, but not all churches teach this. Ours, for example, does not. Gary Inrig has taught through the Scriptures which concern giving, but he never teaches that we must tithe. Understanding that God provides for us sufficiently so that we will have the means to contribute to those who need it changes everything.

In the Old Covenant the law set up directions for how Israel was to live every part of their lives, including being fiscally responsible and supporting the needy. The idea of tithes and first fruits in the old covenant was that certain portions of Israel’s crops and livestock (and even their own children) belonged to the Lord and were dedicated to Him as an act of worship. The tithes were for Israel to gather for corporate worship of Yahweh, and they were to eat their tithes, wine, and strong drink at these parties, and they were to provide enough for those who didn’t have land to be able to eat as well.

Interestingly, God provided a way for Israel not to give up their firstborn children; the levites were the Lord’s, and He said the Levites were dedicated to Him for His temple service as the redemption of the firstborn children. 

The churches that teach tithing are not understanding the law correctly. They consider it a good practice, and they ask people to tithe for the support of the church. Yet many of these churches also teach that the 10 Commandments continue for the church instead of seeing that the Lord Jesus completely fulfilled the Law and that now we live under a new law: the law of Christ founded on a new priesthood: the order of Melchizedek. Tithing was fulfilled along with every other provision of the Law—and it was “replaced” for the church with thoughtful, willful, sacrificial giving not limited by a percentage but rather directed by the Holy Spirit. 

Read 2 Corinthians 9 and also Deuteronomy 14 and 26:12–14. Biblical tithing is quite different from the tithing taught by many churches today!

 

“Thought Inspiration” Justifies EGW

I really appreciated Nicole’s article on the Bible and just purchased Taking God At His Word on Amazon Kindle. I look forward to reading it. It’s a comfort to know that the Bible’s words are literally true. 

During my first marriage my father-in-law was an Adventist pastor. I remember his saying that Adventists believe in “thought inspiration”. At the time I didn’t think too much about it, but it did strike me as odd. After becoming familiar with the FAF ministry, I realize now that “thought inspiration” is just a rationalization to justify EGW and to reject parts of Scripture that don’t validate Adventism. 

I am so thankful for all of the truth that all of you are presenting!!!

–VIA EMAIL

 

Dialog with Adventist Mom

We exchanged a couple emails around the time of your conference in February. I’m the guy who has an Adventist mom. Your voluminous content online helped me tremendously as I laid out my heart and Scripture and biblical thoughts to my mom in an 8-page, single-spaced letter—all those thorny Adventist doctrines are intertwined!

I’m really enjoying this new podcast series you and Nikki are doing on the essential doctrines—my drive-home audio on Tuesdays. 

By the way, my mom has written back with responses to my critiques of the Sabbath and the authority of E.W. More to come. She likes to send me books (Decision at the Jordan) and articles to explain her beliefs. This proselytizing behavior shows how Adventists win by keeping adherents ignorant and dependent. 

Hopefully my mom will keep the dialog going, and, Lord willing, He’ll open her eyes to the truth. Keep up the good work!

—VIA EMAIL