Plea for Economy
253
A Partner in God’s Firm
The cause of God is ever demanding. Industry is therefore required
on the part of all, high and low, rich and poor, in order that due returns
may be made to God, that there may be “meat” in His house, and that
the servants whom He has called to do the work of communicating the
truth to a perishing world may be supported.
Not only does God require the tithe, but He requires that all we
have be used to His glory. There must be no spendthrift habits; it is
God’s property that we are handling. Not one dollar or one shilling
is our own. The squandering of money in luxuries deprives the poor
of the means necessary to supply them with food and clothing. That
which is spent for the gratification of pride in dress, in buildings,
in furniture, and in decorations, would relieve the distress of many
wretched, suffering families. God’s stewards are to minister to the
needy. This is the fruit of pure and undefiled religion. The Lord
condemns men for their selfish indulgence while their fellow beings
are suffering for the want of food and clothing....
The Lord calls upon every one of His children to let heaven’s light—
the light of His own unselfish love— shine out amid the darkness of
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this degenerate age. If He sees you acknowledge Him as the possessor
of yourself and all your possessions, if He sees you use your entrusted
means as a faithful steward, He will register your name in the books
of heaven as a laborer together with Him, a partner in His great firm,
to work in behalf of your fellow men. And joy will be yours in the
final day, as it is seen that the means wisely used in helping others has
caused through you thanksgiving to God.—
The Review and Herald,
December 8, 1896
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The Care of the Mites
I wish I could impress on every mind the grievous sinfulness of
wasting the Lord’s money on fancied wants. The expenditure of sums
that look small may start a train of circumstances that will reach into
eternity. When the judgment shall sit, and the books are opened, the
losing side will be presented to your view—the good that you might
have done with the accumulated mites and the larger sums that were
used for wholly selfish purposes....