Why Adventists Tithe
Do you wonder if your children really respect you? In my 71 years. I've NEVER known a financially irresponsible parent to enjoy real respect from their children - NEVER!! Oh, their children may love them, but NEVER, EVER will they respect them. They CAN"T!! If you're a parent that tells your children, "WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS OR THAT FOR YOU BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY," yet somehow you find money for your cigarettes, beer, or anything you DO NOT need, even if your child is mentally slow, that child will know ABSOLUTELY that you DON'T deserve his or her respect! Again, the child may love you, but NEVER respect you; not now, and not EVER, until you correct the problem!
Do you wonder if your children really respect you? In my 71 years. I've NEVER known a financially irresponsible parent to enjoy real respect from their children - NEVER!! Oh, their children may love them, but NEVER, EVER will they respect them. They CAN"T!! If you're a parent that tells your children, "WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS OR THAT FOR YOU BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY," yet somehow you find money for your cigarettes, beer, or anything you DO NOT need, even if your child is mentally slow, that child will know ABSOLUTELY that you DON'T deserve his or her respect! Again, the child may love you, but NEVER respect you; not now, and not EVER, until you correct the problem!
The Following Website is written Specifically for Seventh day Adventists. It concerns Tithe, but the principles we share will work for any Christian Believer. God is longing to bless all of His followers, and He will, if they let him! The Tithing System of the SDA Church is based completely on God's plan for Israel. When new believers join the Church, they are asked to make a commitment to support the Church the same as is outlined in the Old Testament. To some, this may seem "Overbearing," "Controling," and "Demanding," but, as a SDA person of 71 years, and having seen first hand the blessings God has bestowed on those who are faithful, there's NO question that Tithing is the RIGHT thing and absolutely the SMART thing to do. Also, I've seen irresponsible Adventists claiming they "Can't Afford to Tithe." Not once in these 71 years have I seen anything but misery and devastation come to such persons - NOT ONCE!!!
"Bring Ye All the Tithes into the Storehouse"
The Bible says, "Bring ye all the Tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in Mine House, and prove (test) Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal.3:10)!
"Bring Ye All the Tithes into the Storehouse"
The Bible says, "Bring ye all the Tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in Mine House, and prove (test) Me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal.3:10)!
We could site 100s of Multi-Million Dollar Companies that men and women established while Tithing their first Dollar. JC Penney kept increasing his Tithe until it was literally 90%. William Colgate, founder of Colgate Palmolive, was also very much into giving a large portion of his profits to his Church. When starting his business, he actually went through some VERY lean times, but he determined to Tithe anyway.
In this Website, we are going to tell a VERY SAD story that illustrates what happens when people steal Tithe money that belongs to God, and spend it on themselves. If the Reader wants a preview, look up the text quoted above and read verses 8 through 12. It says in 4 paragraphs what I will now demonstrate to you in this Website. Thank you, Dear Reader, for your time!
My Personal Story
Our Money and Our God
Before we begin, we need to note a problem with a huge portion of people within the Seventh-day-Adventist Denomination. Adventist people as a whole give FAR MORE contributions to their Church than any other Denomination. However - and this the problem - if every Adventist gave an honest Tithe, a full 10% of their increase, the Church would have about 10 times the funds it now receives. The good part of this is, it would speed up the process of getting the Gospel to every Nation and we could go Home to Heaven sooner (See Matt.24:14)! The bad part is that the those Adventists not paying an honest Tithe are missing a "Blessing from Heaven so large that they would not be able to receive it all!!!!!!!" (See Mal.3:10)
The purpose of this Website is to show the Massive Blessings God is trying to give His people. It is also to give real live examples of how too many of us have allowed the Powers of Darkness to distract us and prevent us from God's Blessings. It is our prayer that the painful truths we reveal here will remove Satan's distractions!
Tithing is not really about money! It's about who owns our heart. It's about Faith! It's about living a life that "Reflects the Character of Jesus"! If we understood this fact, this Website would NOT be needed!
A Very, Very Sad Story
What I’m about to reveal pains me greatly, but if it will help some others avoid the sad life my Mother lived, it will be worth it. It is unpleasant to expose bad things about family, especially after you’ve grown up and forgiven them and done everything possible to bring them to a knowledge of Christ and His forgiveness. It is my prayer that my Mother, Stepfather, and Brother gave their hearts to Jesus before they died. Hopefully they will enter God’s Kingdom when that time comes. If their story prevents one soul from experiencing the pain they caused themselves and others, maybe their living shall not have been in vain.
There is not much to say about Mom’s life that was truely good. She brought turmoil and sadness to pretty much everyone in her life. Had she understood what the Bible teaches about money, her whole life could have been a blessing to herself and all of us. A person’s use of money is often THE deciding factor in their whole Christian life. Our money attitude can determine our eternal destiny!! The Bible says, “The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.” This will be seen clearly as we proceed.
Bible says "LOVE of Money is the ROOT of ALL EVIL!"
My Mom and my Stepdad were Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally Abusive to their children. They were also Socially, Spiritually, and Financially Abusive to themselves and to everyone with whom they dealt. Their problem of selfishness was obvious for all to see, and it was at the heart of all of their problems. The Bible says, “Be not deceived! God is not mocked! For whatever a man [or woman] soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal.6:7). I saw this passage horribly fulfilled as Mom and Stepdad reached the end of their lives. I’ll explain in a moment.
Mom and Stepdad – Tithes and Offerings?
Long before age 12, it was glaringly clear to me that Mom and Stepdad were extremely irresponsible and HORRID money managers. Mom attended the local SDA Church pretty regular and Stepdad would go sometimes, although he found Church annoying! Going all morning without his cigarettes was tough for him. Did they pay Tithe? Of course not!! Offerings? Little or none! Stepdad, none. With Mom, a little dollar or two now and then as some kind of token. “Can't afford it,” they’d say! But somehow they always had money for Stepdad’s cigarettes and Mom’s “Fun Stuff Money!”
For the first 7 years of their marriage, Mom and Stepdad never owned an automobile. Again, they had money for Stepdad’s beer and cigarettes, but couldn’t afford a car!?! Today the monthly cost of Cigarettes and the monthly payments for a good used car is about the same. It was true also in 1946. In fact, $100 in those days would buy a reasonably decent used car; something that would get you where you needed to go! After being married for 6 years, Mom and Stepdad were so financially destitute that they moved in with Mom’s Parents. Then, finally, with borrowed money from her parents, Mom and Stepdad purchased a ragged 10 year old Chevy. Did they EVER pay back the loan? You've got to be kidding!! Irresponsible people always think that if they can let enough time go by, loans to relatives are dissolved. But, did the fact that they owed Grandpa cut back on Stepdad’s cigarette money and Mom's fun money? Of course you know the answer!!
Trailer Park Days
A year before Mom and Stepdad moved in with Mom's Parents, I was 7. The year was 1948. For much of that year, Mom, Stepdad, and I were moving from trailer park to trailer park. They’d purchased a tiny old trailer from Mom’s sister with the understanding that they’d make payments of $5 a month. That was the equivalent of $50 a month today. The trailer was the size of today’s small campers. We had no car, so each month, when the rent was due, Mom’s brother-in-law would hitch his car to the trailer and move it on to another trailer park. Mom and Stepdad had no rent money, or money to pay Mom’s sister for the trailer, but, again, guess what? Stepdad ALWAYS seemed to come up with cigarette money. Strange indeed! I was in the first grade that year, and changed schools 7 times!
My Favorite Toy – Electric Train
During those trailer park days, I had a toy Electric Train my real Dad had given me for my 7th Birthday. I came home to the little trailer from school one afternoon and Mom told me that someone had broken into the trailer and stolen my Train. I was devastated, but had no choice but to accept it? I learned later that instead of being stolen, she and Stepdad had pawned it. And did they use the money to pay rent or pay towards the trailer? You guessed it again! Stepdad had money for cigarettes!
Towards the end of my first grade, times had become so bleak that Mom and Stepdad made a desperation move. Mom’s rebellious life, moral indescretation, and irresponsibility had caused a serious divide between Mom and her parents, but after giving up the trailer because they couldn’t make payments, Mom and Stepdad had no place to live. There was nothing left to do but ask Grandma and Grandpa if they could come stay with them for a while.
My Softball Ball Glove
In the 5th grade I was attending an SDA Church School in “Maple Valley” Tennessee. Of course my real Dad paid the tuition as well as ALL of my living expenses. The school was small and the only sport activity was Soft Ball which we played all through the school year during every recess. The other students had nice Ball Gloves, but Mom and Stepdad “couldn’t afford” one for me, even though my Dad sent money for all of these extra things. This extra money somehow ended up diverted to another cause! After all, Stepdad had to have his—well, you know. And of course Mom had to have her “Fun Money.” At no time did my Dad fail to pay child support plus more than enough money to take care of all extras that children need for School.
Within days after Dad's Child support Check came each month, Mom would come back from town sporting new hats, new dresses, new shoes, etc. Often my Dad would find it necessary to come to Maple Valley and take my brother and me to town to purchase descent clothes and other needs. Dad sent money for Church School tuition, but after several incidents of Mom spending it on herself instead of paying the school bill, he had to send a separate check directly to the Church Treasurer. On several occasions, Mom tried to persuade the Treasurer to give her some of the tuition money. "Desparate Needs!!" After all!! Stepdad couldn't run out of his cigarettes !!
God may have allowed the Electric Train, Ball Glove, and the hundreds of other similar incidents as lessons to me so that when I was grown and became a parent, I'd know to NEVER treat my children in this way.
God may have allowed the Electric Train, Ball Glove, and the hundreds of other similar incidents as lessons to me so that when I was grown and became a parent, I'd know to NEVER treat my children in this way.
Saddest Part of the Story
The saddest part of this is the fact that, had Mom and Stepdad followed the simple plan spelled out in the Bible, they would have had more than sufficient funds and would have enjoyed respect from the rest of their family, including their children, as well as the Church members of Maple Valley. I was totally embarrassed to be a part of my family.
If the Reader is guilty of ANY of the above, don’t be foolish and think your children don't know about it!!! And please don't think your children respect you!! They may love you, but they CANNOT respect you!!! Next let's look at another way you can REALLY lose the respect from your kids, Big Time!!
If the Reader is guilty of ANY of the above, don’t be foolish and think your children don't know about it!!! And please don't think your children respect you!! They may love you, but they CANNOT respect you!!! Next let's look at another way you can REALLY lose the respect from your kids, Big Time!!
At age 12, I began mowing neighbor's yards for spending money. This, along with Christmas and Birthday money from relatives, would supply the funds needed to get that new glove and other things I wanted and needed. At Least I THOUGHT it would!! As it turned out, almost every month Mom would squander her monthly income, including most of the funds Dad sent for clothes, food, and child support. In other words, she’d be broke! Knowing I’d saved up a little, she’d ask if she could “BORROW” it, promising she’d get it back in a few days. But when her pay day came, and Dad’s child support check came, and I asked her about it, she’d get angry and blurt out that I should contribute to the living expenses. “You live here too, don’t ya know,” was a common response. If I ever brought up the fact that my Dad was sending support money, Mom would go into a rage, spew out curse words, grab the nearest object (weapon) and the physical abuse would commence. Usually her "Weapon" was a heavy duty wire Fly Swatter. Many times I'd go to school hoping no one would see the whelps all over my back from one of Mom’s temper fits. As for the “borrowed” money; Mom NEVER repaid it, EVER! After all, Stepdad had "NEEDS" and she needed her Fun Money, and they weren't about let anything get in the way of these "necessities!!" Mom and Stepdad thought I was too young or too stupid to know what they were doing. No parent has EVER had the respect of any child when these things happen. If you borrow money, and do not repay it, they may love you, but they DO NOT and WILL NOT respect you, and they SHOULDN'T!!!
!!!PLEASE STOP RIGHT HERE!!!!!!!
Dear Reader - If you EVER "Borrow" money from your children, PAY IT BACK, for crying out loud!!!!! If you have to eat stale bread and water for a week, PAY IT BACK - PAY IT BACK!!! If you have to go up and down the highway picking up cans, PAY IT BACK!!
Not only will it be impossible for your children to respect you if you don't, you'll be teaching them that STEALING is acceptable behavior!! And sooner or later, they will even steal from YOU!! I've seen this demonstrated many times in EVERY irresponsible member of my family!! If you "Borrow" from other family members and make no effort to repay, it will come back to bite you BIG TIME!!! "The Apple Don't Fall Too Far From the Tree!"
When I went away to Boarding Academy, I owned a nice Bike and, once again, an Electric Train. Of course neither the Bike or the Train was purchased by Mom or Stepdad. They were actually given to me by friends. While away at school, Mom sold both the Bike and the Train, along with many other things belonging to me. After all Stepdad needed money for his "Necessities!"
I made sure that a full 10% Tithe came out of all of the money I earned mowing yards or received as a gift. I understood that not doing so was “Robbing God” (Mal.3:8). I also knew the Bible says “Robbing God” would bring on a “Double Curse” (Mal.3:9). I also knew that God promised to “Open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing that we could not even receive” (Mal.3:10), if we obey Him. I knew God promised to “Rebuke the devourer” if we honor Him with “Tithes and Offerings” (Mal.3:11).
Please remember, Dear Reader, these Bible verses are from the Inspired Word of God, not from this Author!! I’ve had people ask me why they're having such a terrible time with money, then, when I refer them to what the Bible says, these people often get very angry with me as if I made this stuff up and was trying to harrass them! Even though I ALWAYS make EXTREME effort not to be accusing or reprimanding, the person asking for help decides that, even though it comes straight from the Bible, it's "A Truth They Don't Want to Hear!"
Malachi’s words are devastating to all who call themselves “Believers” yet ignoring the clear words of Scripture concerning Tithe. But perhaps Malachi’s most damning rebuke is found in his final warning to those ignoring his message from the Holy Spirit. To put his message in modern English, he says some will make half hearted attempts to follow God’s money plan, then try to claim, “I did my best, and it didn’t work,” which, by the way are the exact words Mom said! Following is how Malachi rebukes those making such claims, and in my 70 years, I’ve heard irresponsible people repeat variations of Malachi's following rebuke hundreds of times: “It is vain to serve God! What PROFIT is it that we have kept His Ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts” (Mal.3:14). These are Malachi’s Words—Malachi's prophecy, NOT MINE!
Mom’s Excuse
Mom said, “We tried it Son, and it just didn’t work for us!” It NEVER has worked and NEVER will work for people who spend God's money to supply their EVIL HABITS! NEVER! Those who think they can pay dibbly little Tithes and tiny little Offerings, while at the same time being dishonest in other parts of their lives aren’t even fooling themselves! They KNOW better, but they can’t bring themselves to do what they know is right and trust that God will keep His Word.
Dear Reader, let me inject something here that needs repeating over and over again. You can pay a double or triple tithe, but if you are dishonest about paying bills and paying money borrowed from friends and relatives, God CANNOT bless you! He Can't because this kind of dishonesty is Stealing, plain and simple!! Mom and Stepdad made NO effort whatsoever to pay her parents for that Chevy. I could list dozens of incidents in which their dishonesty was displayed. Bottom line, if you are dishonest with God’s money, you'll be dishonest with your personnel money. I've never known a truely honest Tithe-Payer that ignored personal bills! NEVER EVER!!
Possible Worse Problem with Your Children!
Cigarettes Kill 2 Ways - Maybe 3
Not only do Cigarettes kill physically, they kill our Spiritual Life and our Life Eternal! When people steal Tithe Money by using it to buy Cigarettes, that's horrid, but, in my Brother's case, we have an example of a man who literally stole his cigarette money from funds other people had given to the Church; to God!! This is a graphic example of Satan's Powers of Darkness making a Double and a Triple Score!!!
Stealing From Our Children
My Brother's daughter is slightly mentally impaired. After her real Mother died, she lived with him and her stepmother until she was 18. From her early teens until she left home, she worked babysitting for neighbors. Her Dad ALWAYS squandered his own money until he was broke, then, he’d “borrow” hers. During those 5 years of babysitting, her Dad “borrowed” from her almost every week and NEVER made ANY effort to repay her.
When she turned 18 she inherited over $2000 from her Mother’s parents. It goes without saying that her Dad and Step Mom had a wonderful time spending that $2000. It took them about 2 weeks! So Sad!!
Mom, Stepdad, and my Brother, died PENNILESS. No! That’s wrong. All died deeply in debt and at a young age. My Brother was 56 and at his funeral, I had to “lend” his widow $1000 to keep her from losing their home. His death happened 4 days before their home foreclosure was to take place. It goes without saying that I was never repaid that $1000. At the time of his death, my brother owed well over $30,000 to my Dad, my Sister, and me.
What Should've and Could've Happened
What makes my family story horribly sad is the fact that the Bible has a simple system that ABSOLUTELY guarantees that Mom, Stepdad, and Brother could have reversed every one of their money problems. Literally millions of people have followed this simple Bible plan and some have even become wealthy through it. In the last part of this Website, we'll examine this simple plan step by step.
Please remember that what we are covering here relates primarily to persons who are pondering becoming Seventh day Adventist believers. We focus specifically on those that are struggling with their finances. Also, it can apply to those SDA believers that have never truly understood Christian financial responsibilities and have never received the full blessings God is waiting and wanting to give them. There are Christian Finance Courses available from several good sources, and most give sufficient information necessary to teach good stewardship of the money God entrusts to us. But for those who want to get right to the heart of the matter, we offer the following. This is a quick overview of exactly what happens to every new Adventist that was struggling with money issues before becoming a member. I have put together the following so that a new Seventh day Adventist Christian can quickly know what to expect. It is also beneficial to long term Adventists who have not fully understood the seriousness of being a good steward.
Brand New Seventh day Adventist Believers
This scenario we'll look at is specifically for new Adventist believers coming from a background of either barely getting by financially, or not even getting by and having to depend on help from friends and relatives. John and Mary
1 - The SABBATH
John’s job requires him to work Saturdays, and John and Mary know this must change.
2 - MONEY SHORTAGE
The money John is making barely covers their living costs. Even if John were allowed to keep his job, if the money he makes on Saturday is deducted from his salary, they’d not make it—at least that’s what the math said.
3 - “I DESERVE”
It's here the powers of darkness are using their most effective tool to entrap John and Mary. It’s the “I DESERVE SYNDROME.” John and Mary have had no extra money for vacations or the other “Finer Things of Life.” They’d done what millions of struggling people do. They’d taken money that should go toward bills and used it for “Fun Money.” They were quite bold with their “I Deserve” attitude. They’d do “fun stuff” over the week end, then call their parents and tell them the electric company was going to turn off their power the next day. Their parents would then have to pay the late fees and the power bill. If the parent suggested they pay their bills before their “fun stuff,” they’d furiously answer, “What?!? Are we to sit at home all of the time? WE DESERVE to have SOME fun!” Then they'd pout and have no contact with their parents, UNTIL the power was about to be turned off again! This was how John and Mary had done in the past. BUT THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE for the BETTER!!
The NEW JOHN and MARY!!!
John and Mary know they're looking at some serious changes if they want to follow the Lord all the way, and they decide to make the commitment completely, NO MATTER THE COST!
They know John will be released from his job when he informs his boss he can no longer work on Saturdays, but they remember the stories the Church Pastor told them about Tithes and Offerings. They decide to Tithe immediately—that very first Sabbath. They want to give an offering as well, and THEY DO! They’re not going to wait till they “can afford” to give God His money. They say, “If a tenth of our income belongs to God, it’s His and that settles it!! It’s not ours to decide. If we keep it back, we’re stealing from God.” This takes HUGE faith, but John and Mary have no choice. They have two children, but they place their full faith in God to provide for the family’s needs. They remember the Scripture, ”Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.”
God also keeps His promise to provide ALL of their needs. He has an unexplainable method of making insufficient money go far beyond our needs. He's not limited to our laws of math.
For several weeks John and Mary wait on God to provide a good job for John. Their faith is tested, but they stand fast knowing that God keeps His Word. Finally John receives a job offer, but it only pays the same as his former job. They hoped for more, but it'll do for now and they thank God for His blessings. They're a little disappointed as they remember stories the Pastor had told about new Believers getting jobs paying double their former salary. They thank God that, even though there was not more money, at least they were able to keep the Sabbath! Little do they know that God is testing their faith and that He is planing to “Open those Windows of Heaven!!!”
"Times Are Lean, But We Can Make It!!"
John and Mary look at their past spending and note that if they convert the money they’d been spending on health-destroying habits into Tithes and Offerings, they can get by—still no “FUN MONEY,” but enough to get by. Again, they put their trust totally in God’s hands. Pay Tithe first, then their bills, then depend on God to keep his promises. If God wants them to live lean lives with NO frills and fun stuff, so be it! They're going to serve God all the way!!
They’re biggest hurdle is the “I DESERVE” thing. Over and again the old thoughts try to return, but they remember that if they truly want God to bless, they MUST be honest in ALL things. Times are lean for a while, but because they persist in COMPLETE obedience to God, before long John gets a small raise at his job. Time passes and John and Mary remained faithful, increasing their tithes and offerings in proportion to their increased wages, and giving a little extra now and then. They begin discovering what millions before them have learned. The more they give sacrificially, the more God blesses, and the more God blessed, the more their faith increases.
On the second April after John and Mary made their commitment, as they were doing their Income Tax, they realized that John’s salary is twice what it was when they started Tithing! They were faithful and the “Open Windows from Heaven” has happened!! Not only are they able to put money away for their children’s College, they've discovered that God blessed so much that they are able to pay the back bills from the old days—days before they learned about being responsible stewards.
"I Deserve Stuff" - "Fun Stuff"
What about those “I DESERVE” things and the “FUN STUFF” they’d formerly indulged in with other people's money? Two things happened!! John and Mary found it wasn't so bad budgeting their lives and living within their means. It gave them a sense of self respect they’d not felt before! But, now fun vacation opportunities seem to come out of nowhere!! Offers for weekend getaways with other families and friends, and Moms and Dads, were so numerous they couldn’t take advantage of them all. Heaven’s windows did open and they could not receive all the blessings. By being good stewards with God’s blessings, God took care of their needs, AND gave them the good life He'd been trying to give them all along!!
John and Mary’s Children
Words cannot describe how good John and Mary feel knowing they're finally setting right examples for their children! The Children can now grow up to be good stewards for God. John and Mary knew they'd been bad examples for their Kids. Now the children tell John and Mary how disappointed they'd been before. John and Mary wished they’d made this commitment before their children were born, but that's in the past and now they're joy is beyond their fondest hopes!
Thousands of Similar Cases
The above scenario is only an illustration, but it represents thousands upon thousands of documented cases within the Seventh day Adventist Church. God promises, “He that is faithful in that which is least, I will make him ruler over much.” God NEVER makes a promise He can’t keep!!!
In my 70 years I've seen many cases like John and Mary. Sadly, I've also seen many like Mom and Stepdad.
“Alan and Betty”
Alan and Betty's names are not really “Alan and Betty” but they are REAL people. Theirs is the saddest story I observed in my growing up years. They became tragic examples of Satan attacking and destroying new SDA believers. They joined the Adventist Church, but, because they lacked faith in God, they plunged headlong into Satan’s trap. Their real life story is the opposite from John and Mary. I'll not tell their whole story and I've changed their names, but I'll say that they took the same position as Mom and Stepdad. Soon after joining the Church, they drifted away. They refused to understand that diverting Tithe Money into Fun Money was driving a wedge between them and the Blessing God had for them. They took the position that, “GOD and the CHURCH LET US DOWN!” The Powers of Darkness destroy millions with this exact reasoning.
Alan and Betty told their Pastor, “If God’s not going to do what He said, we’ll just go back to the way we were.” They were unwittingly repeating Malachi’s prophecy concerning those who refuse to Tithe. Malachi wrote, “It is vain to serve God! What PROFIT is it that we have kept His Ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts” (Mal.3:14).“Robbing God” bothered Alan's and Betty's conscience at first, but as time passed, it got easier. They knew they were stealing God’s money, but obviously their fun money was more important to them than lost souls around the world hungering for truth. They'd ask the Pastor for advice and instruction but then get angry when he advised them to put their trust in God. Every time he left their home, he was more aware of their intense resentment and actual hatred towards him. The Powers of Darkness nurtured them along till finally they vowed to never set foot in an Adventist Church again, and they kept that vow! When Alan first started Church there was a sparkle in his eye and a zip in his step. These were gone. Betty hardly spoke. Life went from one unpleasant situation to another! Satan is a poor paymaster!
"Lydia" - Alan's and Betty's Daughter
One Sabbath afternoon soon after "Lydia’s" 16th birthday she took her younger brother in their family car and drove into the town of Mapleville to get ice cream at the Dairy Creme. While there she saw "Hank," a 19 year old boy from the Adventist Church that had long since abandoned everything he’d learned at Church and had become known throughout the community for his immoral debauchery. He hadn’t seen Lydia for some time and was impressed that she’d grown into a very pretty girl. With only immoral intentions, he asked her to go on a date that night. Even though she knew his intent, Lydia was delighted. With no recent exposure to Church or anything Spiritual, Lydia was outgrowing the sweet little girl she’d been when her parents joined the Church. Excited, she wanted the date to begin as soon as possible, so, telling Hank to follow her home, she sped away. Coming down Maple Mountain into the Valley, there is a gentle curve. Lydia wanted to show Hank how fast she could go around it, but the curve was too much!
On that Sabbath afternoon, Lydia was killed instantly and her brother was badly hurt and spent several months in a body cast. Lydia was a good girl and if her father and mother had remained faithful, the family would’ve been on a nature hike that Sabbath afternoon instead of Lydia being in town setting up a date with Hank.
Alan and Betty sank deep into depression, once again blaming God for their loss. Their surviving son and their younger children continued to suffer because Alan and Betty refused to follow the clear instructions from God's Word.
My quick opinion is that I believe Lydia may be resurrected when Jesus comes. It's possible that she was about to sink into a life of debauchery starting with Hank. God may have allowed that horrid accident in order to Save her Soul!! I hope this is true!
Enough Said?
We could stop right here! These examples cover pretty much everything the Bible teaches about Christian Money Management and Stewardship. The Bible says "The LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!” The Johns and Marys of this world show how God can use our stewardship of money to give us a good life now and prepare us for a Great Eternal Life with Him. For Mom, Stepdad, and Brother, money became a miserable path of failure that cost them the respect of their children and caused them to spend their lives in poverty. I hope and pray that before their death, each of these people made the decision to truly give their lives to God. In a moment I’ll tell the final end for my family members. One thing is certain! My family and Alan and Betty COULD HAVE been the John and Mary in this Website, if they'd chosen to be!!! Then there’d be NO miserable life or tragic end for any of them.
Tithes and Offerings
If the Reader has never studied what Scripture says about Tithes and Offerings, let’s look briefly.
Your Money is God’s Money—All of It!!
You’ll NEVER be successful in any Christian endeavor till you acknowledge that All Things Belong to God! As you study Scripture, this becomes clear, but as a new Believer, you may be confused. Let’s look at 2 Facts:
"Bring ye all the tithes into the Storehouse, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord, that I will not open the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (Mal.3:10).
We all know that passage. It sounds as if there is an option, and there is. Want a big blessing? Tithe! Want to tie God’s hands so He CANNOT bless you? Keep His money! Spend it on yourself!! Use it for “FUN MONEY!!” Better yet! Spend God's money on things that destroy your health! The Scripture just before it needs the most attention.
Fact 2 - Cursed With a Curse!?!?
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me! But ye say, ‘Wherein have we robbed Thee.’ In tithes and offerings! (Underscore OFFERINGS. We’ll get back to it in a moment) Ye are CURSED with a CURSE; for ye have robbed Me…” (Mal.3:8-9).
Note the words, “Cursed with a Curse.” In the original it means, “You have a DOUBLE CURSE.” A single curse from God is more than we can bear, but a double curse? Not only does this men you'll receive a "Double Curse,” it means that Curse will overflow onto others in your family! More on this in a moment!
Some popular Churches teach that Tithe, the Sabbath, unclean meats, and even God's 10 Commandments are done away with and no longer applicable. But if you become a Seventh day Adventist, you are aware that Tithing is part of being a believer and that to refuse to return to God His portion is ROBBING God! Upon joining the SDA Church, you make a vow before God that you'll obey this Command concerning Tithe. Here is where many new believers are spiritually body-slammed by the Powers of Darkness. The Reader may ask, "Are you saying God brought about all that bad stuff on Alan and Betty? I don’t think God works that way! He’s a loving God. He doesn’t do stuff like that!!!”
Answer: This may be the hardest hurdle for me to answer. I'll do what Fox News says it does. “We Report! You Decide.” The Holy Spirit inspired Malachi, so the Holy Spirit says that to withhold God’s Tithe is “Robbing God” (Mal.3:8). The Holy Spirit said if we “Rob God,” we'll be “Cursed with a curse.” The definition of “Cursed” is to be condemned to perish in Hell. As I said, “We are Reporting! You are Deciding!”
How About Non-Believers?
The Reader may be asking, "Why is Tithing so serious for a Bible Believers, and yet there are many non-Believers paying no Tithe and some of them are billionaires?"
Answer: Two possibilities:
First, there are people that are not necessarily bad—basically honest—some even giving much of their goods to help others, but sometimes these people simply do not see the need for God in their lives. Some even do not believe there is a God and do not want to believe. Such persons may be receiving all the Heaven they'll ever see. When speaking of some of the Jewish leaders that enjoyed the finer things of life, Jesus said, “They have their reward.” He meant that such persons would not have part in His Kingdom.
Second, these may be people that, as yet, have not been given the knowledge of truth concerning Tithe, or the Sabbath, or any spiritual matters. If such persons are honest in heart, when the time comes that God sends His Spirit to show them truth, they will respond. It will be your job to live in such a way as to witness to these people.
What If I Tried it, and It Didn't Work?
Some have said something like the following: "I gave my Tithe, but when it came time to pay my utility bill, there was no money, and the Tithe I turned in at Church was more than I needed to pay the bill. The Power Company turned my electricity off with a notice of a $50 reconnect fee! I did my part, but God didn’t do His. What about that?"
Answer: Good question, but in many cases, there is more to the story. I've known of cases where it APPEARED this way, so we will look at is if it really did. If such an incident did take place, it could be that God was testing the person’s faith. In such a case, the person or couple would need to take Job’s approach. “Though He slay me [or have my power turned off], yet will I trust Him.” Persons taking such a stand will eventually be blessed abundantly beyond all they can imagine.
My Personal Experience:
In 1966, I was a distributor for a large cake bakery. Each Thursday I ordered the cakes for the following week. I had just begun the distributorship and was barely making enough money for living expenses. On one particular week I had some unexpected expenses. The check that was sent to the home bakery always came back to my bank on Wednesday. The cash must be in the bank by 2:00 PM. On Sabbath, I turned in the Tithe for the week, knowing that it was going to be very difficult to meet the deadline. Wednesday afternoon at 1:00PM, I counted my money and was $24 short. The next store on my route usually purchased an average of $5 per week. Feeling discouraged and wondering what I was going to do, I went into the store. The manager stopped me and asked if I had a rack he could put in the store to display the cakes in his isle. I did and the rack held $24.96 worth of cakes. I made it to the Bank with 10 minutes to spare. My faith was tested right down to the minute, and I’m so glad I did what I knew to be right. I have had many experiences in my life similar to this. I shutter to think of what would have happened if I'd chosen to steal God's money!
Incidents such as mine have been repeated hundreds of thousands of times with Believers all over the world. In my 70 years, I‘ve never know of case in which God did not eventually honor the faith of the true Believer. I've also not known of a case in which the Believers faith has not been tested. However, if the family paid tithe, yet is dishonest about paying other debts, or is involved in some other activity that prevents God from blessing them, that changes everything. The Bible speaks of this "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Ps.66:18). "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer shall be an abomination" (Prov.28:9)! One thing is for sure. God NEVER makes a promise, then breaks it.
"I Just Don’t Like Being SDA"
I've heard this a lot, not just concerning Tithe. I've heard, "It just didn’t turn out the way I hoped? Members just didn’t make me feel welcome! Some were downright rude to me. I just want to go back to the way I was before? I like smoking, and don’t see anything wrong with a beer once in a while. Those Adventist are just a bunch of self righteous, judgmental hypocrites and legalists!! Most all of them are doing things worse me!! Those Church People offended me!!"
Answer: Because this is a Website dealing with Tithe, let's stay with it. Often Tithing is the root problem with people making the above statement. They're real problem is that they haven't truly understood the Tithing system, or they don't want to see it. All of this usually comes down to the person feeling that the tithe money is really money that cuts into their "Fun Money." The Powers of Darkness whisper in their ears, "That money you'll pay out for Tithe could be making payments on a new Boat, or Camper, or even a Motor Home!! Think of all the Movies that would pay for!! Think of how often you could eat out with friends and family!" Millions of people LITERALLY tie God’s hands from blessing them, and then Foolishly try blaming God!
"It Just Aint Right!!"
Often we hear, "I just don’t think it is right for a Church to tell me what I HAVE to do with my money.
Answer: We'll give a short answer. Hundreds of thousands of families are being miraculously blessed
because understand that Tithe is NOT "My Money!" It belongs to God, and they determine NOT to STEAL from GOD!!
"Trying to Work Their Way to Heaven!"
Answer: I won’t spend a lot of time here either. People with this attitude and logic seldom change their thinking. They know better! Malachi wrote what he wrote because the Holy Spirit told him to.
We Must Choose Our Destiny
Do we like John and Mary? Do we want God's Blessing? Dear Reader, please don't get caught up in the chatter that is flooding through Adventism. The Powers of Darkness have invented a lot of little catch phrases that are actually true, but are spreading some very dangerous messages.
"God Loves You Just the Way You Are!"
Indeed He does, but often these quotes are made in sermons attacking the Spirit of Prophecy and the standards and goals of Adventism. Such sermons are designed to set us back in our comfort zones to relax and set aside the very things that are the reasons God raised us up as His Last Day Church. I've hundreds of people moaning and groaning about how they grew under the harsh shadow of discouragement brought on by the Adventist Church. they tell how great it feels to know that, no matter what they do or don't do, God loves them just the same!
"There's Nothing You Can Do or Say that Will Make God Love You any More or any Less!"
True again, but these catch phrases are coming from Preachers and Teachers among us that bent on tearing down the very foundations of the Adventist Church. If we apply this to Tithing, it sends out a message that you can pay Tithe or you can spend your Tithe on beer and cigarettes! It makes no difference. As to the "Nothing You can do or say" thing, these anti-Adventist SDA Ministers haven't read their Bibles enough! "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Rom.9:13)! Strong language, but the point is clear. "God loveth a cheerful giver" How does God feel about the "Grumpy Non-giver?" that spends Tithe money on seeking the pleasures of this world?
Choose To Win!
There's a popular Gospel Song with a phrase that asks, "Why Choose to Lose, When You Could Choose to Win?" You can choose to let God bless you and supply ALL of your needs, plus the “Finer Things” and “Fun Stuff.” Or, you can choose to allow the Powers of Darkness to rob you of these blessings. You can choose a sense of self worth and have your children look up to you as examples of good stewardship and honesty. You can be parents they want to emulate! The choice is yours!!
God wants to Bless you beyond your dreams!! Let Him!!
What Finally Happened to Mom, Stepdad, and Brother?
Scripture says, “Be not deceived! God is not mocked! For whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal.6:7)! The SDA Church has hundreds of thousands of documented cases very similar to John and Mary. Following is what eventually happened to my family:
Stepdad – His smoking did what it does. In his late 50s, he began a long struggle with Emphysema. He died a horrible death before turning 60. Stepdad had some other serious sins throughout his life. My Brother was an unruly child and needed discipline, but nothing like what came from Mom and Stepdad. Many times they literally beat him until he would nearly pass out for lack of breath. I once walked in the house and my brother was laying on his bed. Both Mom and Stepdad were standing beside his bed completely exhausted from beating him! I also endured beatings from them and many it became hard for me to breath!
When Emphysema kills, it fills the lungs with fluid until the person literally suffocates because they can no longer breathe.“Whatsoever we sow, we reap!” Much more could be said about Stepdad, all of which would apply to reaping what we sow, but the point is clear.
When Emphysema kills, it fills the lungs with fluid until the person literally suffocates because they can no longer breathe.“Whatsoever we sow, we reap!” Much more could be said about Stepdad, all of which would apply to reaping what we sow, but the point is clear.
One more point. Lest anyone get the sense that I harbor bad feeling toward Stepdad, there’s a closing fact about him. I hope to see him in Heaven. When I became an adult, I began making every effort to show him that I'd forgiven him. I took my children to see him every opportunity and told them to call him “Grandpa.” This broke his heart. As he lay dying, he began calling out for me. I believe he knew he was dying and wanted wanted to tell me he was sorry. He also knew I'd pray with him , and I would've ABSOLUTELE!! I was living almost a thousand miles away and couldn’t get to him in time. He died knowing I’d long since forgiven him, and I hope spend some good times with him in Heaven.
Mom – After Stepdad died, Mom remarried a good Christian SDA man, and he influenced her in a better direction. But, “What we sow, we reap.” At 69 Mom had a massive stroke and for the following 6 years she faded in and out of consciousness. My Brother and Sister found it difficult forgiving and forgetting the pain and sorrow she'd caused. In all of those 6 years, they only visited Mom a couple of times. I hoped she'd be alert enough for me to pray with her, so I visited about every other month. On a few occasions she appeared to be somewhat alert. I would sit and hold her hand and pray with her. I'd say, “If you can hear me, Mom, squeeze my hand," and she did. I hope she got her heart right with God before the end. I plan to spend millions of years with her, because I love her in spite of her faults.
Brother – He died at age 56 from a heart attack. It's hard to imagine how his life could've been more miserable. He died 4 days before the mortgage company was to foreclose on his home. To this day, his children deeply resent the way he treated them. He was home alone when he had his fatal heart attack. He was found in the hall where he collapsed. He had several previous heart attacks over a period of 10+ years. Like Step Dad, the cigarettes finally did what they always do. Hopefully, while he lay there in the hall of his home, he had opportunity to prepare for Eternity.
Joining the Church to Get Rich
This hurdle has derailed many Seventh day Adventists! And, not just new believers! But for now, let’s focus specifically on new Adventists facing financial difficulties. Such persons look at their income and they’re barely getting by—actually not even getting by. Many new members are depending on relatives and friends and the Church. Many new Believers choose the Church because they see Adventists that are well off—even prospering, and this looks like a pretty good deal. In 1977 I knew a couple who did exactly this. Within less than a year, they had left the Church in utter disdain. They couldn’t understand why God didn’t bless them the way He apparently was blessing the other Adventists. Dear Reader, if this is even slightly your thought, GET RID OF IT!!
For the sake of making this Website easy to understand and personal, let’s say that the Reader has joined or is considering joining the Adventist Church with the understanding that he or she is assured prosperity. If this is you, you’re correct, but ONLY if you’re willing to follow the principles spelled out in Scripture. If you’re not willing, the Church and this Website will be of NO value to you whatsoever.
We are going to make a bold statement!! If you are determined to take the position that, no matter what the Bible says, no matter what God says, “I will spend my money the way that I see fit,” throw this booklet away!! Or, give it to someone else!! It cannot do you any good whatsoever!!! It will only make you mad!! Don’t waste your time and be like Alan and Betty and the 1977 couple. You’ll be out of the Church in less than a year, mad at the Church, and mad at God!
Are You a Job?
This is addressing the person of Job in the Bible that had his patience tested by Satan. We are not referring to an occupation.
Answer: This is a rare question, and if it is happening just the way the questioner puts it, there are at least 2 possibilities.
1 - THE JOB SYNDROME. God sometimes allows persons to be tried beyond what seems reasonable. If this is the case, God may be allowing you to be an example of REAL Faith. It may be that you have a relative, friend, or neighbor that needs to see REAL FAITH in action. If you make a promise to God, a promise like Job made when he said, “Though He Slay Me, yet will I Trust Him,” and then you turn EVERYTHING over to God, as Job did when he said, "The Lord giveth and the lord taketh away," then that relative, friend, or neighbor will certainly see your FAITH in action. Many of those martyred during the dark ages were true witnesses to those who saw literally give their lives instead of giving in the the powers of evil! These martyrs were the main reasons God's True Church grew during this time.
2 -HIDDEN SIN. This, I hate to bring up, but if it's a possibility, we must consider it, and we MUST HONESTLY DISCUSS IT!! . First of all, you and God are the only ones knowing if you truly are paying Tithe. Usually, as was the case with my Mother, the persons making such a claim are not REALLY paying an honest Tithe. Often it's a piddly dollar or two now and then so the fellow Church members sitting around you THINK you are doing your part!! Tithe is 10% of a person's increase. An "Offering" is a freewill gift over and above the Tithe. As with my Mother, there are millions of people, even in the Adventist Church, that seem to come up with enough money to buy the "FUN STUFF!" We've all seen the persons that seem to come up with the money to make payments on that Boat, Motor Home, or fancy Car, but then complain they just CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY TITHE!?! In these cases, if God says, "Ye are CURSED with a CURSE," what should we expect? It is as if we are saying:
"I'm GONNA have My Boat, Motor Home, and Fancy Car, and if I have to, I'll STEAL God's Money to get em!!!"
According to the Bible, "Ye are Cursed with a Curse," when you do such!! What is God supposed to do? We know the answer, but some are too "Mamby Pamby" to say the obvious. So, we'll just pass on to you what happened in Mom's case. As far back as I can remember, Mom had aches and pains too numerous to mention. She always struggled financially - ALWAYS lived from HAND to Mouth!!!! And, by the way, Mom and Stepdad NEVER had a Boat, Motor Home, or Fancy Car! BUT, Stepdad ALWAYS managed to come up with money for...!! Let's take a last look at the Cigarettes he thought he couldn't live without:
YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE Of GOD
“What! Know ye not that your body is the Temple of God, and the Holy Spirit dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy! For the Temple of God is Holy, which Temple ye are” (1Cor.3:16) ! "Cursed with a Curse" actually means a "Double Curse!" In Stepdad's case, he and Mom were spending EXACTLY the amount of money that SHOULD have been turned in for Tithe, and spending it on CIGARETTES! Imagine that for a moment!! Taking GOD'S Money, Money that literally belongs to God, and buying something that is one of the WORST CURSES Satan has devised for the human race!! Stealing God's Money and using that stolen money to "Destroy God's Temple!" Stepdad also suffered physically his whole life. He died in his mid 50s of Emphysema, one of the most horrible ways a person could die!!
Many people literally get angry when hearing Bible Texts saying, "God Destroys" or "God Punishes." They feel the 1000s of Bible verses saying directly that He does are just for "Illustrations." So, for their sake, we'll say that, at the very least, God "withholds His Blessings!" We're not sure how these people will deal with the following texts, so we'll just quote, and let the Readers decide:
"Iniquity in My Heart - Lord Will Not Hear Me"
Dear Reader, I've been a little tough, and brutally honest, but it is my prayer that at least one person will avoid the struggles my Mom, Step Dad, Brother and "Alan and Betty" went through. Why does anyone choose to endure suffering because they "Rob God" while God is trying to Bless them? There is a reason!!! The Powers of Darkness have so clouded their minds that they cannot think clearly.
Dear Reader, if you've been among some of these described in this Website, ask God for the strength and Faith to be an overcomer. You have EVERYTHING to gain, as opposed to living a life of sorrow and grief and taking a chance on giving up Heaven and Eternal Life!!
Thank you Dear Reader, for your time. May God Bless you as you prepare for His Soon Coming!
Yours in Christ
Carlton Martin
Other Websites from this Author
Other Websites from this Author
"Walter R. Martin's Contrabution to Adventists" This tells how Walter R. Martin spent 30+ years attacking the SDA Church and what eventually happen to him as a result.
"Why Has Jesus Not Come Yet" Answers the question and addresses Ellen White's statement saying "Jesus would have come err this...."
"Why Has Jesus Not Come Yet" Answers the question and addresses Ellen White's statement saying "Jesus would have come err this...."
