Chapter 14—A Plan Beautiful in Simplicity
God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and
equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine
in its origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility, and it does not
require depth of learning to understand and execute it. All may feel that
they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work of salvation.
Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for the Lord,
and may be an agent to meet the demands upon the treasury....
Great objects are accomplished by this system. If one and all would
accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God;
and there would be no want of means with which to carry forward
the great work of sounding the last message of warning to the world.
The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the contributors
will not be left the poorer. Through every investment made, they will
become more wedded to the cause of present truth. They will be
“laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”—
Testimonies for the
Church 3:388, 389
.
For Rich and Poor
In the Bible system of tithes and offerings the amounts paid by dif-
ferent persons will of course vary greatly, since they are proportioned
to the income. With the poor man, the tithe will be a comparatively
small sum, and his gifts will be according to his ability. But it is not
the greatness of the gift that makes the offering acceptable to God;
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it is the purpose of the heart, the spirit of gratitude and love that it
expresses. Let not the poor feel that their gifts are so small as to be
unworthy of notice. Let them give according to their ability, feeling
that they are servants of God, and that He will accept their offering.
The one to whom God has entrusted a large capital will not, if
he loves and fears God, find it a burden to meet the demands of an
enlightened conscience according to the claims of God. The rich will
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