74
Counsels on Stewardship
themselves with their Maker; they may refuse to give themselves to His
service, and trade upon His entrusted goods; they may fail to exercise
frugality and self-denial, and may forget that the Lord requires a return
of what He has given them. All such are unfaithful stewards.
A faithful steward will do all he possibly can in the service of
God; the one object before him will be the great need of the world.
He will realize that the message of truth is to be given, not only in
his own neighborhood, but in the regions beyond. When men cherish
this spirit, the love of the truth and the sanctification they will receive
through the truth, will banish avarice, overreaching, and every species
of dishonesty.—
The Review and Herald Supplement, December 1,
1896
.
A Daring Repudiation
“I understand that you are also proclaiming that we should not pay
tithe. My brother, take off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place
whereon you are standing is holy ground. The Lord has spoken in
regard to paying tithes. He has said, ‘Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house.’ ...
“Very recently I have had direct light from the Lord upon this
question, that many Seventh-day Adventists were robbing God in
[84]
tithes and offerings, and it was plainly revealed to me that Malachi has
stated the case as it really is. Then how dare any man even think in
his heart that a suggestion to withhold tithes and offerings is from the
Lord? Where, my brother, have you stepped out of the path? O get
your feet back in the straight path again.”—
Testimonies to Ministers
and Gospel Workers, 60
.
Robbing God
To have your name on the church book does not make you a Chris-
tian. You are to bring your gifts to the altar of sacrifice, cooperating
with God to the utmost of your ability, that through you He may reveal
the beauty of His truth. Withhold nothing from the Saviour. All is His.
You would have nothing to give did He not first give to you.
Selfishness has come in, and has appropriated to itself that which
belongs to God. This is covetousness, which is idolatry. Men mo-