Warning Against Hypocrisy
49
When divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness
and power, habitual selfishness relaxes its grasp and there is a disposi-
tion to give to the cause of God. But none need think that they will be
allowed to fulfill the promises then made, without a protest on the part
of Satan. He is not pleased to see the Redeemer’s kingdom on earth
built up. He suggests that the pledge made was too much, that it may
[75]
cripple them in their efforts to acquire property or gratify the desires
of their families.
It is God who blesses men with property, and He does this that they
may be able to give toward the advancement of His cause. He sends
the sunshine and the rain. He causes vegetation to flourish. He gives
health and the ability to acquire means. All our blessings come from
His bountiful hand. In turn, He would have men and women show
their gratitude by returning Him a portion in tithes and offerings—in
thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings. Should
means flow into the treasury in accordance with this divinely appointed
plan,—a tenth of all the increase, and liberal offerings,—there would
be an abundance for the advancement of the Lord’s work.
But the hearts of men become hardened through selfishness, and,
like Ananias and Sapphira, they are tempted to withhold part of the
price, while pretending to fulfill God’s requirements. Many spend
money lavishly in self-gratification. Men and women consult their
pleasure and gratify their taste, while they bring to God, almost unwill-
ingly, a stinted offering. They forget that God will one day demand a
strict account of how His goods have been used, and that He will no
more accept the pittance they hand into the treasury than He accepted
the offering of Ananias and Sapphira.
From the stern punishment meted out to those perjurers, God
would have us learn also how deep is His hatred and contempt for
all hypocrisy and deception. In pretending that they had given all,
[76]
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, and, as a result, they
lost this life and the life that is to come. The same God who punished
them, today condemns all falsehood. Lying lips are an abomination to
Him. He declares that into the Holy City “there shall in no wise enter
... anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or
maketh a lie.”
Revelation 21:27
. Let truth telling be held with no loose
hand or uncertain grasp. Let it become a part of the life. Playing fast
and loose with truth, and dissembling to suit one’s own selfish plans,