Parasites
Arthur Vess emphasizes the importance of tithing to the church as a means of supporting its mission and managing God's resources responsibly.
Arthur Vess emphasizes the importance of tithing and bringing the full tithe into the storehouse as instructed by God. He addresses the excuse of choosing where to tithe, highlighting that the tithe belongs to God and should be used for the evangelization and salvation of the world through the Church. Vess points out that the church could better support the poor if everyone tithed faithfully. He references Paul's command to the Corinthian church to bring the tithe into the storehouse on the Sabbath for proper distribution. Vess stresses the need for church financial organization and encourages congregants to bring their tithe into God's treasury.
Text
7. Excuse Seven: "I tithe, but I pay where I please, -- to kinsfolk, friends, sick people, etc."The tithe is not yours; then what right do you have to distribute it except for and through theChurch? "Bring ALL the tithe into the STOREHOUSE." It is your responsibility to take care of your own relatives, and your pleasure to contribute to others as you can, but not with God's holy tithe set apart for the evangelization and salvation of the world. The church could support the poor if all would tithe. Paul commanded the Corinthian church to bring the tithe into the storehouse onthe Sabbath, and then they could pay it out of the Church to the poor. Abraham turned it over to the"priest of the most high God," not to Aunt Mary and blind Sam.
God has a treasury for his funds.
If we need any part of our church organized and systematized, it is the financial part. Let us not scatter our tithe to the wind, but bring it into the storehouse -- God's money into God's treasury. But you say, I do not belong where I attend. That's easy -- move your membership and then you will not be tempted to dodge your tithe and deceive both churches.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Understanding the purpose of the tithe - The biblical mandate for tithing - The role of the church in managing tithes
- II points: - Common excuses for not tithing - The fallacy of personal distribution of tithes - The importance of community support through tithing
- III points: - Historical examples of tithing in the Bible - The consequences of mismanaging God's funds - Encouragement to bring tithes into the storehouse
- IV points: - The spiritual significance of tithing - How tithing supports church missions - The call to accountability in financial stewardship
Key Quotes
“The tithe is not yours; then what right do you have to distribute it except for and through the Church?” — Arthur Vess
“Let us not scatter our tithe to the wind, but bring it into the storehouse -- God's money into God's treasury.” — Arthur Vess
“Abraham turned it over to the priest of the most high God, not to Aunt Mary and blind Sam.” — Arthur Vess
Application Points
- Commit to bringing your full tithe into the church to support its mission.
- Reflect on the biblical teachings about financial stewardship and accountability.
- Consider how your contributions can help serve the community through the church.