No doubt you’ve heard the rumblings within our church. Rumblings that have caused many faithful Adventists to question their understanding of foundational issues.
These rumblings have been going on for decades. But most recently there has been a focus on tithing, specifically, should we pay tithes to churches, conferences, unions, divisions and even the General Conference in light of the issues exposed by Dr. Conrad Vine. Or should we be able to pay tithe to organizations or other entities that we believe to be upholding the standards and principles of the church that are founded upon truths of God’s word.
Much bantering back and forth has occurred as a result of differing opinions on this issue.
Some believe we should only give our tithes through our local church and conference, and they provide scriptural and Ellen White quotes to prove their point.
Others say we should be able, without question or reprisal, to give our tithes to whomever we feel the Lord is impressing us to send them. This group also provides scriptural and Ellen White quotes to support their beliefs.
This debate shows no sign of diminishing, rather it appears to be intensifying. If a productive, biblical solution is not found, the result could be devastating to the church.
The debate began with Dr. Vine exposing issues of religious liberty and questioning whether tithes should be sent to “woke” conferences or redirected to “biblically faithful” conferences. In reaction to his sermons, his local conference chose to ban him from speaking. Several other Adventist entities followed suit. Some felt this ban was justified while others felt it was too severe and an assault on liberty of conscience.
Let’s Think Honestly
It is not my purpose here to debate the issue of redirection of tithe. Many others have commented and given their thoughts through letters, videos, and sermons. Instead I want to approach the issue from a perspective of causation. This debate has been raging since January of 2022 and the “Appeal to the Adventist Nobility” sermon by Dr. Vine. But why has it come to this? What are the contributing factors that have led us down this road? The following examples do not refer to either side of this issue, but rather serve to establish the fact that problems have existed in the church from its beginning.
First, let’s consider some history. Scripture tells us in 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Even in Peter’s day there were issues within the church. Paul also comments saying, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:30. And in the Old Testament we find Joshua telling Israel to “choose ye this day whom ye will serve,” and Elijah asking the people of Israel, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kings 18:21. This last passage introduces the issue I want to address today.
Choose Ye This Day
Scripture says when the people were confronted with a choice between good and evil, they didn’t say a word. That remained true until God revealed Himself by sending fire from heaven in the sight of all. That revelation would not have happened except for the bold actions of one man. And we need to ask the question here, how did Israel end up where they were? It wasn’t an overnight happening, but rather a gradual process that culminated in this grand act of God that resulted in the eventual demise of the wicked King Ahab and his pagan wife Jezebel. Israel’s condition was not the fault of leadership alone, nor was it the fault of the people alone. Both were complicit. Yet it took one man to begin that reformation.
The likeness of Israel in Elijah’s time to the church in our day is uncanny. I am not saying the church is in apostasy, but that apostasy exists in the church. The apostasy of ancient Israel and the church of God today occurred almost imperceptibly over time. The church in Ellen White’s day would have trembled with horror if they had seen what is happening in God’s church today. (Some of these troubling issues I have traced out in a previous article on Fulcrum 7, “When Did It Become Acceptable.”) But how does all of this fit with our present discussion?
On one side we have administrators and some members who are very troubled at the possibility of redirection of tithes. And their concern is, in some respects, justified. How can the church organization continue to function without a predictable tithe? How will the local churches and their pastors fare without the planning and programs that tithe money can provide? What will happen to the positions of conference leaders and pastors?
On the other side, we have church members and some pastors who are questioning whether they should pay tithes to an organization that is not adhering to the basic biblical teaching regarding liberty of conscience (as well as other issues). Based on Scripture and quotations from Ellen White, they question whether they should give tithes to those organizations that use them for purposes contrary to Scripture. These are all valid questions, but I believe they are not the core of the issue.
The question at the core of this issue is not should we redirect our tithes, but why has this issue arisen in the first place? Like ancient Israel, modern Israel has allowed unbiblical practices and apostasy to enter their ranks. Practices and ideas that wouldn’t have been permitted in years past are now perfectly acceptable in some “Adventist” churches and organizations. And how has this happened? Through a lack of willingness on the part of the people and leaders to speak against, or at least engage in open discussion and take action on certain issues, we find ourselves where we are today.
And should we have expected a different outcome? When people find themselves between the proverbial rock and the hard place, they will eventually find some way to extricate themselves. In this instance, issues were raised that should have been openly and honestly discussed to find resolution. Instead, the reaction of leadership was to silence those raising these critical issues. This left those who believe these issues vital to our ability to function as God’s remnant church, with little recourse. They could choose to either be quiet about issues on which they are passionate, or they can search for ways to resolve the issue. In the present case, redirection of tithe was the suggested method of resolution. Now, I need to ask, what else should leadership have expected when they refuse to engage in open discussion to find solutions to these issues?
Without passing judgment on the proposed method of resolution, I would strongly recommend that leadership stop avoiding the issue and agree to engage in transparent, productive discussion, not just on the tithe issue, but solutions to the foundational issues. Could that discussion lead to other problems? There is no doubt, but open, honest and prayerful discussion is perhaps the only way to begin restoring the trust that has been lost and to return our church to its biblical foundation.
Having said that, we need not blame one side more than the other; we are both a fault. There are and were leaders and members that should have acted but didn’t. They didn’t want to make such a big deal over something that others, perhaps the majority, saw as a minor issue. Or perhaps they felt that if they spoke up against these issues they would lose their income or influence. Maybe it was simply an ignorance or lack of effort to investigate the issues. Regardless of the reason, there can be no excuse. Are we so distrustful of God that we believe He can’t work all things together for good if we stand for His truth? I have personally experienced the hand of God and His protection over me during times of trial resulting from standing for truth. Regardless of how gloomy the future might appear to our human eyes if we stand for God’s truth, it is never as dark as the result of not standing for His truth.
The condition of God’s church today, the theological and moral issues we are facing today, are a result of not standing for truth when a departure from that truth, however small, is observed. Shame on us as leaders! Shame on us as members! We are under the curse of Meroz for not coming to the help of the Lord. The town of Meroz sat on the sidelines and refused to fight alongside the rest of Israel. If we had studied to show ourselves approved, if we had put aside our own preconceived ideas and perceptions, if we had maintained our vigilance against the introduction of unbiblical practices and beliefs, we might have been in the kingdom ere this.
“Through a lack of willingness on the part of the people and leaders to speak against, or at least engage in open discussion and take action on certain issues, we find ourselves where we are today.”
But here we are. We can’t change what has happened, but we can change the direction we are heading. And how can we do this? “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1. We are counseled not to spare anyone or anything that is contrary to God’s word. Not members, not leaders; for God is not a respecter of anyone’s position in life. Notice it says we are to show God’s people their transgressions. Are we God’s Remnant Church? If so, we have the command of God Himself to expose the sins that exist in the Church. The things that have caused our present condition have not been done in secret. While they might not have been shouted from the housetops, they took place in ways that were not totally hidden from sight, and the majority did nothing. There have always been a few voices of dissent, but not enough to change course. Shame on us!
So how do we cry aloud and spare not? I do not intend the suggestions below be a comprehensive solution, but any solution should be a biblical one, one that addresses the cause, not merely the symptoms, one that doesn’t simply ignore the issues hoping they will just go away.
If you are a leader, put yourself in the hands of God and speak out, take action, against the unbiblical ideas and practices in the church. Commit to open and honest discussion on the issues. Refuse to follow anything or anyone that varies from God’s word. Stand firm in voice, pen, and actions. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. Don’t worry about your position, your salary, your physical needs, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:6-7. And you may “depart from evil” by exposing it (Ephesians 5:11).
If you are a member, speak to your pastor, your church board, your Sabbath School class, and let them know you are taking a stand against the evils and apostasies that have made intrusion into God’s church and ask them to stand with you. Share with them your convictions from the word of God and SOP that we must stand against sin or be held accountable for the sin we allow. “For evils that we might have checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves.” {DA 441.3}. Whether you are a leader or member, stand up, stand strong for truth, be bold for God.
Imagine what could happen if everyone would investigate the issues for themselves and let the Holy Spirit guide them. We would be of one accord and the naysayers would not be able to refute the truth. We are told Jesus desires “. . . a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:27. God will have a pure church. Those who will not follow God’s ways will be shaken out. And yes, that means there will be persecution, ridicule, and hard times. But when all is said and done, “heaven will be cheap enough.”
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Pastor Victor Vaughn is a minister of the gospel in the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists