Where Should Tithes Be Kept?
Question:
Should tithes be kept in a bank account, or should they be kept in another place?
Answer:
Regarding keeping tithes in the bank, it is first important to observe in the Bible how God actually encourages His people to use the banking system if it becomes necessary. For example, we read concerning the man who hid his talent by burying it in the ground, when inquired of and investigated by his master, he was reprimanded with these words, “Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?” Luke 19:23. Remember that the Master in this parable represents Christ, the laborers represent His servants, the work that God’s laborers are sent to do is to preach the gospel, and we already know that the money that is usually used to do this work is tithes and offerings. Therefore, in this parable we are not only shown that God wants His people to use or multiply all their talents, including the money that He gives us for His work, but we also see that He encourages us to put His tithes and offerings into a bank for safe keeping as well as to accrue interest when it is not in use.
Furthermore, it should be noted that E.G. White herself had a personal bank account which she often used to advance the work of God. Of such an occasion we read, “At one time I had drawn all that I had in the bank here. But Sara had some money in the bank, and she allowed me to draw on her account to meet running expenses.” — Manuscript Releases, Vol. 7, p 121.
On another occasion the servant of the Lord commented on the bank account that was opened to keep money for one of the publishing institutions of the church. From the following statement it can be seen that the organization was doing quite a bit of work through the banking system. “I have drafts on the Echo Office, but at present they have overdrawn at the bank, and I cannot press them.” — Manuscript Releases, Vol. 14, p. 332.
Also, in another Sprit of Prophecy reference, Ellen G. White told church leaders and members, “It is right to borrow money to carry forward a work that we know God desires to have accomplished . . . . We are to act sensibly. We must do the work that needs to be done, even if we have to borrow money and pay interest.” — Counsels on Stewardship, p. 278.
Finally, we find recorded in 4BIO (Ellen G. White Biography, Volume 4, The Australian Years 1891-1900, by Arthur L. White) a very interesting experience concerning what happened on one occasion when money was needed by the people of God to advance His work. We are told that although the bank in their vicinity was closed on a particular day, “the angel opened the bank door” (4 BIO 414) so that A.G. Daniells and another brother could go in and get the money that they needed.
Surely, if the Word of God encourages the saints to use the banking system whenever it is necessary to do so, and Ellen G. White, the servant of God, had a personal bank account which she used to help advance God’s work, and she encouraged us to pursue transactions with the bank if it is necessary for church building projects or otherwise, one cannot conclude that it would be wrong to keep tithes and offerings in the banking system. Furthermore, since in this day and age it will be more dangerous to keep large sums of money at our homes or in an unprotected private location where one cannot guarantee that it will always be safe, the banking system seems to be the most logical place to put it. At the very same time, this might also be the only way that we may be able to gain some profit or multiplication of this talent that has been entrusted unto us by God, who also expects us to increase it for Him before He comes back to this earth and requires of us an account of our stewardship. If God has shown this in the parable of the man with one talent, who am I or anyone else to doubt, deny, or disobey God’s holy Word.
“It is a heaven-appointed plan that men should return to the Lord His own [tithe]; and this is so plainly stated that men and women have no excuse for misunderstanding or evading the duties and responsibilities God has laid upon them. Those who claim that they cannot see this to be their duty, reveal to the heavenly universe, to the church, and to the world that they do not want to see this plainly stated requirement. They think that by following the Lord’s plan they would detract from their own possessions. In the covetousness of their selfish souls they desire to have the whole capital, both principal and interest, to use for their own benefit.” — 6T 387.
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