158
Counsels on Stewardship
vancement of the work of God.—
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel
Workers, 202, 203
.
Example of Nehemiah
Nehemiah did not depend upon uncertainty. The means that he
lacked he solicited from those who were able to bestow. And the
Lord is still willing to move upon the hearts of those in possession
of His goods, in behalf of the cause of truth. Those who labor for
Him are to avail themselves of the help that He prompts men to give.
These gifts may open ways by which the light of truth shall go to
many benighted lands. The donors may have no faith in Christ, no
acquaintance with His word; but their gifts are not on this account to
be refused.—
Prophets and Kings, 634
.
God’s work is now to advance rapidly, and if His people will
respond to His call, He will make the possessors of property willing to
donate of their means, and thus make it possible for His work to be
accomplished in the earth. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
. Faith in the word of
God will place His people in the possession of property which will
enable them to work the large cities that are waiting for the message
of truth.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:272, 273
.
[185]
Receiving Gifts From Outside
You inquire with respect to the propriety of receiving gifts from
Gentiles or the heathen. The question is not strange; but I would ask
you, Who is it that owns our world? Who are the real owners of houses
and lands? Is it not God? He has an abundance in our world which He
has placed in the hands of men, by which the hungry might be supplied
with food, the naked with clothing, the homeless with homes. The
Lord would move upon worldly men, even idolaters, to give of their
abundance for the support of the work, if we would approach them
wisely, and give them an opportunity of doing those things which it is
their privilege to do. What they would give we should be privileged to
receive.
We should become acquainted with men in high places, and by
exercising the wisdom of the serpent, and the harmlessness of the