Chapter 34—Systematic Benevolence
Should all whom God has prospered with earth’s riches carry out
His plan by faithfully giving a tenth of all their increase, and should
they not withhold their trespass offerings and their thank offerings, the
treasury would be constantly replenished. The simplicity of the plan
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of systematic benevolence does not detract from its merits, but extols
the wisdom of God in its arrangement. Everything bearing the divine
stamp unites simplicity with utility. If systematic benevolence were
universally adopted according to God’s plan, and the tithing system
carried out as faithfully by the wealthy as it is by the poorer classes,
there would be no need of repeated and urgent calls for means at our
large religious gatherings. There has been a neglect in the churches
of keeping up the plan of systematic benevolence, and the result has
been an impoverished treasury and a backslidden church.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein
have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a
curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the
tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and
prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you
the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for
your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither
shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the
Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a
delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”
God has been robbed in tithes and offerings. It is a fearful thing to
be guilty of withholding from the treasury or of robbing God. Ministers
who preach the word at our large gatherings feel the sinfulness of
neglecting to render to God the things that are His. They know that
God will not bless His people while they are disregarding His plan of
benevolence. They seek to arouse the people to their duty by pointed,
practical discourses, showing the danger and sinfulness of selfishness
and covetousness. Conviction fastens upon minds, and the icy chill of
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