- Home
- Speakers
- Arthur Vess
- How To Count Ten
Arthur Vess
Arthur Vess, born circa 1895, died circa 1970, was an American preacher and author whose ministry within the Holiness movement emphasized sanctification, holy living, and bold scriptural preaching during the mid-20th century. Likely born in the rural South—possibly Tennessee or a neighboring state, given the Holiness movement’s strong foothold there—Vess emerged as a voice for uncompromising faith, though precise details of his early life, such as exact birth date and family background, remain elusive due to limited documentation. His work suggests a modest upbringing, steeped in evangelical Christianity, leading him to a calling as an itinerant preacher and writer focused on equipping believers and ministers alike. Vess’ ministry centered on delivering practical, no-nonsense sermons and writings, many preserved through platforms like RaptureReady.com and oChristian.com, including titles such as How To Preach And Teach Holiness and Youth’s Three Great Choices. He pastored and preached across Holiness churches, advocating for a life of prayer, discipline, and separation from worldly compromise—themes evident in his exhortations to preachers to “live what they preach” and maintain “secret contact with God” for effective ministry. His booklets, like The Bible on the Tongues Doctrine, tackled contentious issues within Pentecostalism, reflecting his engagement with theological debates of his era.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
Arthur Vess emphasizes the importance of tithing, addressing common excuses such as not understanding it. He simplifies the concept by explaining that tithing involves giving one dime out of every dollar to God's treasury, while still keeping the rest for necessities. Vess encourages consistent practice of tithing, highlighting the blessings that come from giving generously. He warns against the love of money over God, stressing that tithing is a reflection of our faithfulness and trust in God's provision.
How to Count Ten
13. Excuse Thirteen: "Tithing may be all right, but I just can't understand it." People of all ranges of intelligence understand it enough to practice it, and I think I can tell you how, as follows: when you get your pay check or envelope, or gather your crop, just count out one dime out of every dollar and put it in God's treasury and keep the rest for the necessities of life, -- except that you may be blessed by giving special gifts and offerings all along out of the nine tenths, for "It IS more blessed to give than to receive." Do you understand it now? It will become easy as you practice it, and it will not be long until you can count ten without difficulty. You count ten for the Lord just as you do for yourself, -- using the same figures. In case you do get confused, just tithe all that has not been tithed, and the rest will take care of itself. If you get too much confused, just remember that it will be untangled at the judgment, when the mist will clear away. Finally, my brethren, if you want to follow Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Malachi, Jesus Christ,and the Apostle Paul: "Bring ALL your tithe into the STOREHOUSE" and give God a chance to prove his Word and open the windows of heaven on your soul. If you prefer to follow the NewTestament, just "lay by in store each Sabbath as God prospers you," and you will be doing the same thing, and getting the same blessing and living under the same open heaven. You backslide over robbing God just as you do by robbing men. "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (earthly riches), who will commit to your trust the true riches" -- salvation. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon," -- earthlyriches. The real reason back of most excuses for not tithing is that people love money more than they love God and his cause and servants, Think it over in the light of a lost world and a bankrupt church. Ye cannot love God and money. No excuse will do. "And they all with one consent began to make excuse." and the Lord said, "None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." Will the above excuses save you or others? Bringing all the tithes into the Storehouse will help save you and others.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
Arthur Vess, born circa 1895, died circa 1970, was an American preacher and author whose ministry within the Holiness movement emphasized sanctification, holy living, and bold scriptural preaching during the mid-20th century. Likely born in the rural South—possibly Tennessee or a neighboring state, given the Holiness movement’s strong foothold there—Vess emerged as a voice for uncompromising faith, though precise details of his early life, such as exact birth date and family background, remain elusive due to limited documentation. His work suggests a modest upbringing, steeped in evangelical Christianity, leading him to a calling as an itinerant preacher and writer focused on equipping believers and ministers alike. Vess’ ministry centered on delivering practical, no-nonsense sermons and writings, many preserved through platforms like RaptureReady.com and oChristian.com, including titles such as How To Preach And Teach Holiness and Youth’s Three Great Choices. He pastored and preached across Holiness churches, advocating for a life of prayer, discipline, and separation from worldly compromise—themes evident in his exhortations to preachers to “live what they preach” and maintain “secret contact with God” for effective ministry. His booklets, like The Bible on the Tongues Doctrine, tackled contentious issues within Pentecostalism, reflecting his engagement with theological debates of his era.