Where's the Storehouse?

[Chief]

Watch the video below and add your voice to the discussion

Context​

The video opens with a critical perspective on how church funds, specifically tithes and offerings, are used within the Seventh-day Adventist Church system. The speaker introduces Dr. Lauren Gravenar, pastor of Alpha Church in Austin, Texas, who preached a sermon on November 1st addressing these issues. The focus is on a segment of the sermon starting at 1 hour 45 minutes, where Dr. Gravenar discusses the tithe system and denominational structure critically. The speaker promises a follow-up Bible study based on this message, emphasizing the theological and practical implications of tithing.

Dr. Gravenar’s Critique of the Denominational Tithe System​

Dr. Gravenar explains that many church members misunderstand the biblical meaning of the “storehouse” mentioned in Malachi (where tithes are to be brought). Contrary to popular belief, the storehouse is not a distant denominational office but the local church where spiritual nourishment, fellowship, and service happen. He asserts:

• The denominational structure is “top-heavy” and bureaucratic, with multiple administrative layers (conferences, unions, divisions) that receive funds but do not provide direct pastoral care or spiritual feeding.
• 100% of the tithe given by members goes to denominational offices, which then redistribute percentages upward (9%, 9%, 5%) to higher offices, alongside 10% dedicated to pastors’ retirement worldwide.
• This creates an illusion that money supports global ministry, but in reality, it often funds buildings and travel budgets at the expense of local churches’ needs.
• Local churches frequently struggle with inadequate resources for staff, infrastructure, or ministry essentials (e.g., vans, signage, roof repairs).
• Dr. Gravenar calls for systemic change to prioritize local churches and stop perpetuating what he terms “denominational capitalism.”
• He emphasizes the scarcity mindset cultivated by the denomination, which forces competition and diminishes generosity among members.

The Call for Change and Challenges Facing the Church​

Dr. Gravenar expresses frustration on behalf of faithful givers who support ministry with time, offerings, and tithes but see little tangible benefit at the local level. He warns that without reform:

• Churches will continue to decline as institutions close and fewer theology graduates enter ministry (citing fewer graduates from 40 to 8 at Oakwood University).
• The church risks losing blessings due to mismanagement of resources.
• The current system is unsustainable and alienates younger generations who question the value of giving to a conference while their own churches are deteriorating.
• Despite these warnings, he clarifies he is not advocating for anarchy or destruction but for pragmatic reform.

The Meaning of “Storehouse”​

The video transitions to a Bible study analyzing the term “storehouse” in Malachi 3:10 and related scriptures:
The storehouse is the place where God’s people are fed, formed, and served - essentially the local congregation, not a remote administrative office.

Understanding this term biblically is crucial to avoid spiritual or religious manipulation concerning tithes.

Purpose and Location of the Tithe System in Israel​

The study answers key questions about the original tithe system in ancient Israel:

Question	Biblical Answer	Scriptural Support
What was God’s purpose for the tithe?	To support the Levites who had no land inheritance and served full-time ministry.	Numbers 18:21-24; Leviticus 27:30
Where did Israelites bring their tithe?	To local Levitical storehouses in 48 designated Levitical cities.	Numbers 35:1-8; Numbers 10:37
What was stored in the storehouses?	First fruits including grain, wine, oil, produce, animals, and other materials.	Proverbs 3:9; Nehemiah 10:35
What did Levites do with part of the tithe?	They gave a tithe of the tithe (a tenth) to the priests at the temple.	Numbers 18:26
What was the central temple storehouse?	A series of chambers in the Jerusalem temple where tithes and offerings were kept.	Nehemiah 13:12; 2 Chronicles 31:11-12

The Meaning of Malachi’s Command and the Poor Tithe​

The study emphasizes:

• The phrase “bring all the tithes into the storehouse” means bringing tithes primarily to the temple storehouse, but also includes local Levite storehouses.
• There was a special tithe every third year designated to support the poor (Levites, strangers, widows, orphans), stored in local towns to meet social welfare needs.
• This poor tithe functioned as a biblical welfare system, akin to a food bank or social safety net.
• Being expelled from the synagogue carried severe religious, social, and economic consequences, underscoring how important support via the tithe system was for marginalized individuals.

Distinctions Between Regular and Poor Tithe, and Church Responsibility​

• The poor tithe was distinct from the Levitical tithe, specifically set aside for vulnerable groups and administered locally (Deuteronomy 26:12).
• The biblical tithe system envisions the church as responsible for caring for its poor members, preventing reliance on secular welfare.
• The current practice in many churches, where care for the poor is minimal or reliant on government aid, diverges from this biblical model.

Parable of the Faithful and Wise Servant (Matthew 24:45-47) and Spiritual Application​

The speaker explains the parable’s connection to the tithe system:

• The “meat in due season” symbolizes timely spiritual nourishment (truth) provided by faithful leaders, analogous to how physical food was stored in the Old Testament storehouses.
• The Levites then represent leaders who feed God’s people both physically and spiritually today.
• Faithfulness in managing God’s resources (tithe, offering) and truth entrusted to leaders is crucial for spiritual stewardship.
• Blessings come to those who faithfully distribute resources and care for the flock.
• In the end times, God expects leaders to be accountable caretakers of His household, managing resources and truth responsibly.

Final Reflections and Invitation for Discussion​

The video closes by:

• Reiterating the courage of Dr. Gravenar’s message.
• Clarifying that the critique is not an outright condemnation of the General Conference or denominational system but highlights real problems and inconsistencies.
• Acknowledging that some administrative bodies do good work while others neglect local church needs.
• Urging viewers to study the Bible’s teachings on tithing and storehouse carefully and consider the need for reform in how church finances are handled.

Key Insights and Conclusions​

• The biblical “storehouse” refers primarily to the local congregation where spiritual feeding and care happen, not distant denominational offices.
• The tithe system in Scripture was designed to support local ministers (Levites) and care for the poor within the community, with multiple storehouses across Israel, not centralized bureaucracy.
• Denominational structures today often divert 100% of tithes to administrative offices, which then redistribute funds upward, leaving local churches under-resourced.
• There is a systemic “top-heavy” problem in many modern church organizations that prioritizes institutional growth over local church health and pastoral care.
• The biblical tithe system also included a welfare component (poor tithe) intended to support vulnerable members, which many modern churches neglect.
• Spiritual leaders are called to be faithful stewards of both God’s truth and resources, feeding the flock “meat in due season.”
• Reform is urgently needed to align church financial practices with biblical principles and to ensure local churches are adequately supported.
• The message requires courage to speak but aims to promote transparency, faithfulness, and accountability within the church.