Question Box
Good News Magazine
August 1958
Volume: Vol VII, No. 7
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Question Box
Good News Staff  

Should You Spend Your Second Tithe at Home?

   If for some unforeseen circumstance you are unable to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, what should you do with your second tithe? Many that we have met on the baptizing tours, and others by letters, have asked about this problem.
   First, let us understand the purpose of the second tithe. God, in His Word, commands us to assemble at His set feasts. In order to make our attendance possible, God ordained that we set aside a second tithe to cover expense to and from the festival (Deut. 14:23-26; 16:13-15).
   In ancient times, when travel expenses were of little consequence, the tithe was used to cover food expenses primarily. But today, since the purpose of the second tithe is to enable us to attend the festivals, much more of it has to be spent for transportation than for food.
   Now let us notice where the second tithe was to be spent:
   "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which be shall choose to place his name there... that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: then shalt thou turn it into money... and shalt GO unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose... and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice" (Deut. 14:22-27).
   The second tithe — the tenth that God wants ns to use, which is another and separate tenth from the first tithe that He reserves for Himself for the carrying out of the gospel — the second tithe we are to use to attend the festivals. But let us read further:
   "Thou mayest NOT eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine... but thou MUST eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter" (Deut. 12:17-18).
   Here is a positive command not to use the second tithe at home if you are unable to attend. You must use it to enable you to attend the festivals at the place which God chooses. If the money is spent for any other purpose, then you are breaking a command of God — you are not learning to fear His authority — and you are cheating yourself of the wonderful blessing of fellowship with others of like faith.
   If for unforeseen circumstances you are unable to attend the festivals, and if you are prosperous, it would be the right and brotherly duty to enable others to use your tithe. It can be sent to Pasadena, with an explanation that it is to enable others to attend the festival.
   But if you are like most of the brethren, not having many worldly goods, and a small income or none at all, and if you are unable to come to the festival, you should save it until the next year or for two years, if necessary, when you will then have enough to assemble where God has chosen to place His name. Meantime, you will be observing the festivals at home just as you would at the feast.
   In many cases we try to aid the poorer brethren through the extra second tithe of those few who have more than enough. But only those who have faithfully saved their insufficient second tithe deserve the extra help. If you have not tried to save your little, God can not deem you worthy of His extra assistance.
   The Feast begins this year at sunset Sept. 28, 1958 and ends sunset Oct. 6, 1958. The annual sabbaths are Sept. 29, 1958 and Oct. 6, 1958, beginning previous evening.

Should a Christian Woman Obey Her Unconverted Husband?

   This question has troubled many women who have been called to a knowledge of the truth before their husbands have been called. They are faced with a tremendous problem which may cause much needless worry and anxiety until the plain teaching of the Bible concerning this subject is understood.
   In Ephesians 5:22-23, we read: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:..."
   Does this apply to you if your husband is unconverted?
   Here is the Biblical answer. "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, IF ANY OBEY NOT THE WORD, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives" (I Pet. 3:1).
   If your husband doesn't understand the truth, you shouldn't try to convert him by constantly repeating your belief and by insisting that he listen to the broadcast or read the literature. That will only drive him further away from the truth.
   Rather, you should wait until he questions you concerning a certain truth. Then you should be prepared to give a convincing Biblical explanation.
   Peter further instructs Christian women:
   "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands" (I Pet. 3:3-5).
   Certainly, controversies will come up in families if they disagree on religion. In such a case, the wife should obey God rather than her husband. For example, if the husband wishes his wife to break the Sabbath day by doing the family shopping on Saturday, or by attending a football game or movie with him, she should refuse to do so.
   However, she should explain in a very kind way that the Sabbath is the day God commanded her to keep holy. She should, in such a case, obey God rather than man. Yet, she should always obey her husband when his authority does not conflict with the higher authority or law of God.
   The wife should be in subjection to her husband even though he may not be converted. Though he may never be converted in this life (I Cor. 7:12-16), yet if she is in subjection to him and respects him as the Bible commands, he will love and respect her. As a result, he may very possibly be won by her good example. He may be inspired to want to obey the truth when he sees what a godly and righteous life she is living (I Pet. 3:1).
   In any event, her constant love and respect, and her cheerful recognition of her husband's rightful place as head of the house will result in them both living a happier and fuller life together at this present time.
   All of you wives need to respect and submit to your husbands as the Bible commands. This is God's way — the Christian way. Most women have not understood this subject, and much unhappiness has resulted. Ask God to help you honor your husband as you should.

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Good News MagazineAugust 1958Vol VII, No. 7