Christian Endeavour

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7168, 15 March 1930, Page 3

Christian Endeavour

DEBATE ON TITHING AS METHOD OF GIVING.

Quite a number attended the meeting uf the Baptist Christian Endeavour Society on Thursday evening to hear a debate, the subject of which was “Is tithing the best method of giving?” The speakers for the affirmative were Miss Elliott and Mr. C. Carr; and for the negative, Mr. Gwyune, whose partner was absent through illness. At the commencement, the chairman (Rev. C. S. Matthews) stated that in this debate tithing did not mean giving one-tenth so much as giving a regular part. Mr. Gwynne in opening the debate declared that the law of tithes was found only in the Old Testament and did not apply to Christians. It was too rigid a system, he said, and became a formality. In spontaneous giving, the Christian gave as he felt inspired and derived just as much blessing as anyone who set aside a regular portion. Miss Elliott stated that the secret of blessing lay in falling in with God’s plan, and gave Scripture references to support her statement that tithing was God’s plan. The person who gave a

regular portion would find that his giving ability would increase so much that lie gave with pleasure. Mr. Carr said that tithing was instituted as a sign of gratitude and it was our duty to uphold it. Although the law applied to Old Testament times, yet it still applied to us, for Christ Himself said “I am not come to troy the law, but to fulfil tho law. - On a show of hands, the negative side won by a big majority. During the evening, the chairman took occasion to welcome home Miss Grey who lias returned from Timaru, while Miss Elspeth Grover rendered a much appreciated solo.