Where Is the Storehouse?
Read Malachi 3:10. What can we learn from this verse about where
our tithe should go?
Though specific directions are not given in the text, it is nevertheless
evident that God’s people knew what He meant by the word “storehouse.”
God does include in His directions, “ ‘that there may be food in My
house’ ” (NKJV). His people understood that God’s house initially was the
sanctuary—the elaborate tent that was built by specific direction given to
Moses at Mount Sinai. Later when Israel lived in the Promised Land, the
central location was first in Shiloh and then more permanently at the temple
in Jerusalem.
Read Deuteronomy 12:5–14. These verses do not indicate that God’s chil-
dren could use their own discretion as to where their tithe was deposited.
What principles can we take from these verses for ourselves today?
As members of God’s family, we want to understand and practice His
will regarding what to do with our tithe. In the biblical narrative, we learn
that three times each year—Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles
(Exod. 23:14–17)—God’s people were to travel to Jerusalem to bring their
tithes and offerings personally and to praise and to worship God. Then the
Levites distributed the tithe to their brethren all over the land of Israel (see
2 Chron. 31:11–21, Neh. 12:44–47, Neh. 13:8–14). In harmony with this
biblical central storehouse principle, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has
designated the local conferences, missions, and unions of churches as store-
houses on behalf of the world church and from which the ministry is paid.
For the convenience of church members, tithes and offerings are brought
to the local church as part of the worship experience, though some use
online giving. The local treasurers then forward the tithe to the conference
storehouse. This system of tithe management, outlined and ordained by
God, has enabled the Seventh-day Adventist Church to have a worldwide
and growing impact in the world.
Imagine if everyone decided to give their tithe to whomever they
wanted to, at the expense of the Adventist Church itself. What
would happen to our church? Why is that practice, then, such a
bad idea and contrary to Scripture?
