Seventh-day Adventists are known for their willing and generous support of the world church and its mission. From the 1850s, our Adventist pioneers adopted the practice of making regular contributions to the church according to a predetermined plan. The plan conceived by a Bible class in Battle Creek, Michigan, led by J.N. Andrews, became known as "systematic benevolence." Members at a Battle Creek Church meeting in 18591 pledged to give specific amounts each week, according to the ability of their adult members. Men were to give from 5 to 20 cents, and women from 2 to 10 cents. Landowners would give from 1 to 5 cents for every $100 of their land's value.

Today, church members at all economic levels have united in generously supporting the church and its mission by giving offerings in proportion to their incomes. In addition to the ten percent tithe, many Adventists give a "second tithe" for offerings.

If you are a new member, I'm sure you have discovered the offering envelopes usually located in the racks on the back of church pews. These envelopes are provided by your local conference to make systematic benevolence easier for you. Though there are slight variations from conference to conference, the envelopes usually have at least four main sections where you can indicate to your church how you wish your donations to be used.

Tithe

Tithe money is considered sacred and is kept separate from other money. It is used exclusively for the financial support of the ministry.

Local Church Budget

These funds go to pay your local church operating expenses—heat, electricity, church ministries, Sabbath school supplies, maintenance, Pathfinders, church school operation, etc.

Conference Advance

The tithe envelope will usually list specific projects for your conference. These may include youth camps, campgrounds, assistance building new churches and schools, and special evangelistic or educational programs. Church policy does not allow tithe money to be used for land purchases, construction costs, or building repairs, so conferences must rely on offering money for these projects.

World Budget

Sabbath school offerings, which are devoted to world mission work, are listed here. Several additional offerings used to establish or maintain specific missions or ministries in North America and throughout the world are listed that receive special attention at some time during the year. In your Lake Union Herald announcement section under the Lake Union heading, there is a list of the church offering designations for the current month to help you plan for these offerings.

One advantage of placing donations in an offering envelope is that the church treasurer may identify donors and provide them with receipts for their tithe and offerings. The next time you pick up an offering envelope from the back of the pew and tuck your donation into it, consider the awesome privilege you have of joining your world family in spreading the good news that Jesus is coming soon.

Ann Fisher writes from Walla Walla, Washington.

1. Review and Herald, Feb. 3, 1859.