The TRUTH book Volume 1 (PDF) - For My People Ministry

Appendix B 359practice of gathering up tithe money. But for years there have now andthen been persons who have lost confidence in the appropriation of thetithe who have placed their tithe in my hands, and said that if I did nottake it they would themselves appropriate it to the families of the mostneedy minister they could find. I have taken the money, given a receiptfor it, and told them how it was appropriated.I write this to you so that you shall keep cool and not become stirred upand give publicity to this matter, lest many more shall follow theirexample.(Signed) Ellen G. WhiteThe facts1. In the case, Ellen White and others were supporting ordainedministers in the south and not, as some have assumed, selfsupportingministries.2. Conference officials were not happy that people were sending theirtithe to workers in the south.3. Ellen White was instructed by God to appropriate her own tithe tothose who had been neglected. This was done for years.4. Ellen White points out that her tithe was not “withheld from theLord’s treasury.”5. Ellen White was happy to send other people’s tithe to the southernworkers.6. Ellen White commended people for sending their tithe to where itwas most needed.7. This work was appointed by God.8. For years people who had lost confidence in the appropriation of thetithe by their conferences gave it to Ellen White for the workers inthe south.9. Circumstances alter cases.The Watson letter vs. the ConferenceConferenceThe conference says we have toreturn our tithe to our local church.The conference says there are noexceptions to their tithe regulations.The conference says if we have lostconfidence in the leadership or theway our tithe is being used, we muststill return our tithe to our localConference church.Watson LetterThe Watson letter shows we canreturn our tithe to any division orneglected gospel worker.The Watson letter says thatcircumstances can alter cases.The Watson letter shows that if wehave lost confidence in those whoappropriate our tithe, it is acceptableto send it someplace else where it willbe used correctly.