Popular Methods of Appeal
175
Moses Did Not Institute Lotteries
The plan of Moses in the wilderness to raise means was highly
successful. There was no compulsion necessary. Moses made no
grand feast. He did not invite the people to scenes of gaiety, dancing,
and general amusement. Neither did he institute lotteries or anything
of this profane order to obtain means to erect the tabernacle of God
in the wilderness. God commanded Moses to invite the children of
Israel to bring the offerings. Moses was to accept gifts of every man
that gave willingly from his heart. These freewill offerings came in
so great abundance that Moses proclaimed it was enough. They must
cease their presents; for they had given abundantly, more than they
could use.
[204]
Satan’s temptations succeed with the professed followers of Christ
on the point of indulgence of pleasure and appetite. Clothed as an
angel of light, he will quote Scripture to justify the temptations he
places before men to indulge the appetite, and in worldly pleasures
which suit the carnal heart. The professed followers of Christ are weak
in moral power, and are fascinated with the bribe which Satan has
presented before them, and he gains the victory.
How does God look upon churches that are sustained by such
means? Christ cannot accept these offerings, because they were not
given through their love and devotion to Him, but through their idolatry
of self. But what many would not do for the love of Christ, they will
do for the love of delicate luxuries to gratify the appetite, and for love
of worldly amusements to please the carnal heart.—
The Review and
Herald, October 13, 1874
.
Repeating the Sin of Nadab and Abihu
Professed Christians reject the Lord’s plan of raising means for
His work; and to what do they resort to supply the lack? God sees the
wickedness of the methods they adopt. Places of worship are defiled
by all manner of idolatrous dissipation, that a little money may be won
from selfish pleasure lovers to pay church debts or to sustain the work
of the church. Many of these persons would not of their own accord
pay one shilling for religious purposes. Where, in God’s directions for
the support of His work, do we find any mention of bazaars, concerts,
fancy fairs, and similar entertainments? Must the Lord’s cause be