Mel Rees
Mel Rees, a retired stewardship educator, hasn't really retired yet. From his home base in Woodland, Washington, he continues writing and holding seminars
Articles by Mel Rees
Operation Dixie
February 1959
Probably there has never been a worker in the cause of God who has looked at the masses of souls unreached by the gospel of Jesus Christ and has not said to himself, "Oh, if only there was some simple, over-all…
Selfishness--Roadblocks to Evangelism
November 1968
I am seriously thinking of leaving the ministry. I am a failure."
I turned off my electric razor and looked in utter disbelief at the pastor who had come to my motel room this rainy Monday morning. He wasn't…
Church Finances and Bible Stewardship
December 1969
RELATIVELY few church and school programs operate without some degree of financial perplexity. This one problem, in many cases, occupies more of the pastor's time than soul winning. It is also a breeding ground for many unscriptural and unhallowed…
Selfishness--A Threat to Our Aggressive Work
September 1969
AS THE pastor of a large church, I feel I should be paid a larger salary than a minister of a smaller congregation."
We can only assume that the one who made this statement in a conversation with some fellow ministers, hadn't thought…
What is sacrifice?
August 1981
What is sacrifice?
It bothered me for years. I was a reasonably successful Adventist businessman when one day I was sitting in church and heard the preacher talk about sacrifice, and I suddenly realized that with two cars, a couple…
Motivation in giving
May 1985
Giving: essential to worship
November 1985
Many regard giving by church members as a means to an end: the support of churches, ministers, and missions a duty; an assessment; a tax; or, as one member referred to it, "a necessary evil. '' He wished he could find a church that…
The Biblical case for tithing
September 1985
For centuries Biblical scholars have searched for evidence that would either validate or discount the tithing system. They have examined the dusty archives of church history, delved into the writings of the Church Fathers, and studied the…
Church fund-raising
July 1985
My friend and I were driving to a college board meeting. I was glad when he asked to ride with me on the two-hundred-plus-mile trip. A brilliant person, he punctuated the miles with bits of philosophy, reminiscences, and observations. I was…
Unacceptable gifts
March 1985
"Benevolence" has become a catchword to cover all types of charitable giving. However, true benevolence goes far beyond the mere transfer of goods it goes to the motive that prompts it. For this reason, if a person doesn't really want to…
Is money the problem?
January 1985
The phone disturbed what might have been a beautiful dream. The caller was a friend of mine who evidently had forgotten he was in another time zone. I'll confess I appreciate telephone calls in inverse proportion to the lateness of the hour,…
Should we use professional fund-raisers?
March 1989
Life seems to run in cycles—or circles. Solomon expressed it best: "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been" (Eccl. 3:15). Unfortunately this seems to be true of church fund-raising. Just when it appeared that…