Tithe Policy
Amazing Discoveries believes that tithe-paying is the responsibility of each individual and recognizes their right to do as God impresses them, but Amazing Discoveries does not solicit tithe and encourages people to support their local church and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Should donors insist to pay their tithe to Amazing Discoveries, we ask that the tithe money be clearly marked “tithe” so that we may use it according to Biblical requirements.
If a cheque or donation comes in marked “tithe”, we will place the funds in a special Tithe Fund for Pastoral Support.
To support the evangelistic work of Amazing Discoveries, donors should mark their donation “Evangelism Wherever Needed”. We would prefer donors to give to this fund to allow us to disburse the funds where most needed, as we do not have a large expense in tithe-appropriate projects.
As a Ministry dedicated to the work of the Lord, we are obligated to use tithe funds in very specific ways, according to the guidelines of the Spirit of Prophecy.
Tithe-appropriate funds are used for salaries for pastors, speakers, Bible workers, Bible teachers, missionaries, and medical missionaries.
“The tithe should go to those who labor in word and doctrine, be they men or women.”—Evangelism, 492
“His treasury is deprived of the means that should be used for the support of the gospel ministry in fields nigh and far off. Those who proclaim the message of truth before great congregations, and who do house to house work, are doing double missionary work, and in no case are their salaries to be cut down. The use of the tithe must be looked upon as a sacred matter by our people. We must guard strictly against all that is contrary to the message now given.” {Echoes, June 21, 1905 par. 3}
“Those who minister in our schools, teaching the Word of God, explaining the Scriptures, educating the students in the things of God, should be supported by the tithe money.”—6 Testimonies, 215.
“No line is to be drawn between the genuine medical missionary and the gospel ministry. These two must blend. They are not to stand apart as separate lines of work. These are to be joined in an inseparable union.”— Medical Ministry, 250. “Some, who do not see the advantage of educating the youth to be physicians, both of the mind and of the body, say that the tithe should not be used to support medical missionaries who devote their time to treating the sick. In response to such statements as these, I am instructed to say that the mind must not become so narrowed down that it cannot take in the truth of the situation.”— Medical Ministry, 245.
In principle, we believe Tithe should be used for those who are called to personally proclaim God’s messages for this time as their life’s work - the living Preacher.
In light of the above understanding of Tithe, Amazing Discoveries allocates the use of Tithe donations for the following internal expenses:
- Payment of preachers’ and pastors’ salaries or stipends
- Payment of Bible workers’ or Bible teachers’ salaries or stipends
Tithe received at Amazing Discoveries will NOT be used for the following purposes:
X Payment of salaries for fundraising activities, sales activities, or accounting
X Payment of goods for sale
X Payment for incidental operating costs such as office supplies and property tax
X Payment for building projects, repairs or renovations
X Payment for salaries of gardeners and landscapers
X Payment of satellite uplink costs or video editor salaries
X Payment for camera equipment, servers, editing computers
X Build and maintenance of website and associated costs
X Payment of writers’ and editors’ salaries
X Salaries for script-writing and video editing of documentaries
Not for running expenses: “It is wrong to use the tithe for defraying the incidental expenses of the church. In this there has been a departure from correct methods.”—Counsels on Stewardship, 103.
Not for building projects: “His people today are to remember that the house of worship is the Lord’s property and that it is to be scrupulously cared for. But the funds for this work are not to come from the tithe.”—9 Testimonies, 248.
Not for sales people salaries: One reason that the tithe may be applied to school purposes. Still others reason that canvassers and colporteurs should be supported from the tithe. But a great mistake is made when the tithe is drawn from the object for which it is to be used—the support of the ministers...—Counsels on Stewardship, 102.
Not for benevolent giving: “The tithe is set apart for a special use. It is not to be regarded as a poor fund.”— Counsels on Stewardship, 103.
As mentioned above, our expenses in tithe-worthy projects are extremely low. The bulk of our work consists of maintenance expenses, broadcast expenses, salaries of our video editors, client-care representatives, accounting staff, and all other support staff, and these do not qualify to receive from tithe funds. Therefore, we ask that wherever possible, that donors give to Evangelism-Wherever Needed in order to help us stay operational.
For funds given to specific evangelistic projects (aside from Tithe/Pastoral Support), we reserve the right to determine the final use and disposition of financial gifts received if the funds in one project greatly exceed our expenses for that project. In this case, the Board of Directors meets on an annual basis to make decisions to transfer funds to appropriate projects that are depleted in funds. This decision is done prayerfully and carefully, and the Board always seeks to move money to projects that are as closely aligned to the original intent as possible. If the project is substantially different from the original intended project, each donor will be contacted to confirm their permission to use the funds differently.
It is by the grace of God that we are here, and with the support of generous donors such as yourselves we are enabled to proclaim the “Three Angels Message” through satellite, internet, DVD and more.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call our office, and we would be happy to speak to you. May the Lord richly bless you for your kind generosity, and may He direct your path as you trust in Him.