Clearer Light on Stewardship

The helpful fruitage of the Spirit of God in giving clearer light is also seen in the subject of tithing. Of a vision given Mrs. White in 1858 concerning the work in Ohio, she wrote, “This tithing system, I saw would develop character, and manifest the true state of the heart.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:237.FSG 197.4

Light gradually began to come in the sixties on the subject of tithing. From the very first, it was emphasized that each one must decide what his tithe amounted to and whether he was to pay it or not. It was never made a test of fellowship. In earlier years the tithe was used not only as salary for the ministers, but for a multitude of church expenses, both in the mission and in the homeland. However, in the early nineties, light came very clearly from the Lord that the tithe belonged to the support of the ministry. (See Testimonies for the Church 9:247-249.)FSG 198.1

In August, 1896, Mrs. White wrote a testimony from Australia to the Battle Creek church on this subject. In this testimony she stated: “The tithing question is a matter that is so plainly stated in God’s Word that not one living soul need to misunderstand it.” She went on to explain how the tithe was to support those who preached the gospel. In response to this testimony at the meeting of the Battle Creek church board held Thursday evening, January 14, 1897, the following resolutions were adopted:FSG 198.2

“Whereas, the tithe is by divine appointment intended Solely for the use of the ministry; and—FSG 198.3

“Whereas, the Battle Creek church occupies a position of influence among all our churches, and it is, therefore, especially incumbent upon us as a church to set a proper example in all things; and particularly in view of the light that has come to us on this point; therefore,FSG 198.4

“Resolved, That we, the board of the Battle Creek church, recommend that the church discontinue the practice of paying the current expenses of the church and Tabernacle out of the tithe.”—Special Testimony to Battle Creek Church, 10 “Will a Man Rob God?”.FSG 198.5

The question of stewardship, however, involved not only tithing but free-will offerings, and of these very much light was given by the Spirit of prophecy. it involved further something rather new in mission history. It was that the tithe belonged not to the local church or to the local conference, but to the entire church of Christ, which means that the tithe paid by the people in America belongs as much to the preaching of the gospel in China as it did to the preaching of the gospel in America. This aroused much discussion, and here, again, the Spirit of prophecy gave most helpful instruction.FSG 198.6

We cannot deal with all the various doctrines concerning which the Spirit of prophecy brought clearer light, but we do want to emphasize how the Lord, through the Spirit of prophecy, gave us precious light concerning Christ, His character, His nature, office, and work. Among the so-called first day Adventists of 1844, there were some who denied the preexistence of Christ and others who questioned His deity. Religious thought in America at that time contained a great deal of controversy concerning the doctrine of Christ and the Trinity. Seventh-day Adventists have always taught the preexistence and divinity of Christ.FSG 199.1

We have never as a church been Arians, nor have we taught that Christ was not God and co-equal with the Father from eternity. But although we as a people have always stood for the Bible doctrine of the Godhead, there were those among our ministers in the early days who had not come to the full light on the Godhead. This is seen in their writings. We never made any man’s pet theory concerning the truth of the Trinity a test of faith or fellowship, though from the very first the servant of the Lord taught that Christ was “the Majesty of Heaven equal with God” (The Spirit of Prophecy 2:12) and self-existent from eternity. I speak from personal experience and acquaintance with the early pioneers. In the first years, as light on many Bible truths came gradually, we allowed our men time to develop their understanding of the great fundamentals.FSG 199.2

In harmony with this, Mrs. White did not reprove these men who taught a limited conception of the Savior, but in her writings again and again she gave light concerning the exalted nature and position of Christ.FSG 200.1

It sounds strange today, but there were those who taught that the Father alone and not Christ was Creator and Lawgiver. I remember very well when our people began first to teach that Christ was the Creator (that is, that God created through Christ), that Christ was the Lawgiver (that it was He and not the Father who on Mount Sinai spoke the Ten Commandments), that all through the history of Israel, Christ was the leader of the people, and that the visions which the prophets had of God were really revelations given to Christ. This seemed new and strange to not a few of our members. Naturally when people had been in the dark concerning the pre-existence of Christ, they had not been clear on these and other points. The Spirit of prophecy gradually led us into a fuller understanding of these beautiful topics. Patriarchs and Prophets made clear that Christ was the leader of His people right from the very beginning. When that marvelous book The Desire of Ages was published, our people turned eagerly to it for light concerning the nature and eternity of Christ. In it the divinity of Christ as one with the Father, the self-existent God, is clearly set forth.FSG 200.2

“With solemn dignity Jesus answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto YOU, Before Abraham was, I AM.’FSG 200.3

“Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God, given to Moses to express the idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to be the self-existent One, He who had been promised to Israel, ‘whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.’”—The Desire of Ages, 469, 470.FSG 200.4

Again and again Christ is spoken of as the “fountain of life,” as one with God from eternity, and as the mighty God, equal with the Father. These same truths are clearly set forth in volume 8 of the Testimonies, where the personality and individuality of the Father and Son are taught in very specific words.FSG 201.1

“The Scriptures clearly indicate the relation between God and Christ, and they bring to view as clearly the personality and individuality of each....FSG 201.2

“God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God. To Christ has been given an exalted position. He has been made equal with the Father. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son....FSG 201.3

“The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one.”—Testimonies for the Church 8:268, 269.FSG 201.4

“No human mind can comprehend God. Let not finite man attempt to interpret Him. Let none indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above discussion.”—Testimonies for the Church 8:279.FSG 201.5

All these statements concerning the Godhead, however, do not attempt to explain that which God has not revealed concerning Himself and which human minds cannot grasp. Indeed, we are definitely told that we are “not to enter into controversy over the presence and personality of God.” We are warned against speculation as to the personality of God and where His presence is. “No one on this earth has a right to speculate on this question. The more, fanciful theories are discussed, the less men will know of God and of the truth that sanctifies the soul.” (See Testimonies for the Church Containing Letters to Physicians and Ministers Instruction to Seventh-day Adventists, 51-54.)FSG 201.6

In her many articles, especially her weekly messages in our papers, Mrs. White set forth in beautiful words the exalted nature and marvelous love and beauty of Christ.FSG 201.7

“Christ did not make believe to take human nature; He did verily take it. He did in reality possess human nature. ‘As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same.’ He was the Son of Mary; He was of the seed of David according to human descent. He is declared to be a man, even the Man Christ Jesus. ‘This Man,’ writes Paul, ‘was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who bath built the house hath more honor than the house.’FSG 201.8

“But while God’s Word speaks of the humanity of Christ when upon this earth, it also speaks decidedly regarding His preexistence. The Word existed as a divine being, even as the eternal Son of God, in union and oneness with His Father. From everlasting He was the Mediator of the covenant, the one in whom all nations of the earth, both Jews and Gentiles, if they accepted Him, were to be blessed. ‘The Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ Before men or angels were created, the Word was with God, and was God.FSG 202.1

“The world was made by Him, ‘and without Him was not anything made that was made.’ If Christ made all things, He existed before all things. The words spoken in regard to this are so decisive that no one need be left in doubt. Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore.FSG 202.2

“The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. This was no robbery of God.”—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906, page 8.FSG 202.3

“But Christ is equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. He could pay the ransom for man’s freedom. He is the eternal, self-existing Son, on whom no yoke had come; and when God asked, ‘Whom shall I send?’ He could reply, ‘Here am I; send Me.’ He could pledge Himself to become man’s surety; for He could say that which the highest angel could not say—I have power over My own life, ‘power to lay it down, and power to take it again.’”—The Youth’s Instructor, June 21, 1900, Page 195.FSG 202.4

Just as the Spirit of prophecy gave Adventists clearer views of the glories of Christ, so the messenger of the Lord exalted the power and personality of the Holy Spirit. In earlier years of the advent church some had been inclined to think of the Spirit as an impersonal power, a few even taught that the Spirit was an angel; usually they said He was the angel Gabriel. Concerning the surpassing excellence of the Holy Spirit, Mrs. White wrote:FSG 202.5

“The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Savior would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high.”—The Desire of Ages, 669.FSG 203.1

In the same book we find these words concerning the Spirit of God:FSG 203.2

“In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to the Satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power.”—The Desire of Ages, 671.FSG 203.3

Space forbids us even to mention other Bible truths which have been both glorified and simplified by the messenger of the Lord. In it all the Bible is exalted as the Word of God, the foundation of our faith and the guide of our lives. It is important to know that in the development of the third angel’s message as a system of harmonious Bible doctrines the Spirit of prophecy was a safe counselor, for in the preservation of that message.FSG 203.4

In considering the matter of Bible study and clearer light, the Spirit of prophecy has given the advent church two important directives. The first is that in our public preaching we are to march together and keep step. What I mean is that we all teach the same thing. Adventists have agreed not to write or preach any doctrine or prophetic exposition until it has been carefully considered by their responsible leaders, and accepted. In her first book, entitled A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, printed in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1851, this plan is stated in these words:FSG 204.1

“I saw that the shepherds should consult those in whom they have reason to have confidence, those who have been in all the messages, and are firm in all the present truth, before they advocate the new points of importance, which they may think the Bible sustains. Then the shepherds will be perfectly united, and the union of the shepherds will be felt by the church. Such a course I saw would prevent unhappy divisions, and then there would be no danger of the precious flock being divided, and the sheep scattered without a shepherd.”—page 49.FSG 204.2

This same instruction is found in Early Writings, 61, 62. The result of this method is that we Adventists have a beautiful unity of faith and the same message in our books, periodicals, sermons, and schools. This plan, brought to us by the messenger of the Lord, gives us complete freedom of research and complete unity of doctrine.FSG 204.3

“God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing, and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body.”—Testimonies for the Church 3:446.FSG 204.4

The second directive in following advancing light is that every man search the Bible for himself and never expect God to give new light through revelation without any effort on his part. There have been those who thought that the present advent message has come to us only through the visions and revelations of Mrs. White. She herself strongly repudiated that mistaken idea. The early ministers in our church had come into the advent hope from different denominations. James White had been a member of the Christian Church, Mrs. White a Methodist. J. N. Loughborough began his preaching as a boy of sixteen among the Adventists, but was of Baptist stock. J. H. Waggoner—one of the sturdiest of the old Bible students—was a close communion Baptist; J. G. Matteson, a state-church Lutheran; G. I. Butler, an infidel.FSG 204.5

Shortly after the great disappointment in 1844, a group of godly men, with Elder and Mrs. White met for months in systematic Bible study and earnest prayer. Mrs. White, though often present, took little part in their discussion and study as r they searched for increased light. Some of these men clung tenaciously to their former understanding on various points as they had been taught in the churches from which they had come. When they failed to understand the truth and see alike, God sent them light through the Spirit of prophecy. Of this early experience, Mrs. White wrote:FSG 205.1

“Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, ‘We can do nothing more,’ the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.”—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 2, pages 56, 57.FSG 205.2

It is this “line of truth,” which extends right through to the Holy City, that we are to follow. This light will shine clearly and more clearly, but not a peg or pin of the foundation of the advent fundamentals is to be removed. The message is to be revived, not revised.FSG 206.1

The apostolic church with its perfect gospel light departed from the faith, and every reformation or spiritual awakening and movement since has done the same, but we believe the remnant church, guided by the Spirit of prophecy and purified in the fires of persecution, will stand true to “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”FSG 206.2