The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-08-12
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE GOSPEL SELF-sUPPoRTING.
THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES OF rIrH1NG.
No. 3.

No. 3.
Some say, "If the tithes were adopted
generally, the Protestant churches would be-
come as corrupt as the Roman Catholic
Church. This is begging the question
for it assumes that tithing is not an Ordi-
nance Of God. The ObjectOr would hardly
contend that requirement of God should
be omitted because it is liable to be per-
yerted by erring men. But to pass over the
disputed question of the obligation of the
tithes, the above objection assumes that a
tenth is more than God wants and can prof.
tably use. Now in all the teachings of
Christ and his apostles, on this duty, we are
commanded to I" abound in this grace, with
out any limit, as we are commanded to
abound in all other graces. And every
example in the New Testament held up for
our imitation, where the measure is men.
toned, goes beyond a tenth. Among the
many practices against which we are eau
toned, as corrupting to the Church, the
practice of giving too largely to God is
never mentioned as one of them. God tells
us NAL. 81 that it is not giving tithes, but
VithhOldiRy them, that cOrrupts the Church.
But eovetousness is mentioned with emphasis
in a long catalogue of the blackest sins ;
and giving to God, frequently and largely,
is the divinely prescribed antidOte for this
"sin of humanity and of the Church. F."
To maintain bis honor, to subdue their
cOvetOusness, to prove their love" and to
provide for the wants of his Church, God
saw fit to require of his ancient people a
tenth of all their increase aud many offer
ings besides Do the Scriptures or Chris
tian experience afford any proof that less
amount of offerings will answer these ends
on the part of Gods people of this day than
was required of his ancient people? Have
Gods claims or the wants of the Christian
heart and Church grown less The early
Christians did not think so. $50 liberal in
the beginning of Christianity was the devO-
ton Of believers, that their bounty to the
evangelical priesthood far exceeded what the
tenth could have been. This accounts for
the fact that the law of tithes is not more
frequently referred to in the New Testa-
ment. "Whilst such zeal aud hberahty
continued, what reason was there to urge
Christians to give tenth, who gave great
deal morei'
But the objeetOr fears that the Church
cannot be trusted with the distribution and
use of so large a revenue. 1t is true that
any religious power in the hands of ungodly
men is liable to abuse. The word of God
in the hands of an ungOdly ministry is La
bic to abuse. But the remedy is not in re-
straining the word of God, but to seek to Sc
cure a godly ministry. So in this case, the
remedy is not to restrain Gods appointed
means for the sanctifcation of his people
and the work of the Church, but TO seek
godly men, such as God has designated
to be appointed over this business. =
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among
you seven men of honest report, full of the
Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may ap
point over this business. ,.
The above objection is simply prepOster
Gus. For the Christians of this day, whose
dominant sin is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ship-God robbery-the sin that is eating
out the yitals of piety, to object to using
Gods antidote for this sin for fear of "cOr
rupdng the Church, is about like man IL
8 state of starvation, Objeoting to take rea
sOnable nourishment for fear he might die o
Oout or man emaciated with consumption
Obiecting to take healthy food and exercis
for fear he might get fat and die of apo
plexy. The exactions imposed on Roman
Catholics, by despOtic hierarchy, bear n
more resemblance to the Scripture servic
of giving to God, than the service of tn
devil bears to the service of Christ. Re
manists have perverted the precious servic
of prayer as much as they have that of Of
feriugs shall We give up prayer becaus
Papists pervert and abuse it? As there
undOubted need of more gospel praying s
there is imperative need of more gospel gi,
ing, for the double purpose of the sanctif
cation of worldly Christians, and the evar
gelizatiOn of a perishing world. Thes
holy euds-the cOnsummation of the pet
ZION, &" Thy Kingdom come, can never b
achieved till Gods people give from tru
gospel motives, and ten times as much g
they are now doing.