Gathering Weekly Mission Offerings
85
charged with a solemn responsibility to lift in every branch of the work.
If its members follow Christ, they will deny the inclination for display,
the love of dress, the love of elegant houses and costly furniture. There
must be far greater humility, a much greater distinction from the world,
among Seventh-day Adventists, else God will not accept us, whatever
our position or the character of the work in which we are engaged.
Economy and self-denial will furnish many in moderate circumstances
with means for benevolence. It is the duty of all to learn of Christ, to
walk humbly in the self-denying path in which the Majesty of heaven
trod. The whole Christian life should be one of self-denial, that, when
calls for help are made, we may be ready to respond.
As long as Satan works with unremitting energy to destroy souls,
as long as there is a call for laborers in any part of the wide harvest
field, so long will there be a call to give for the support of the work
of God in some one of its many lines. We relieve one need only to
make way to relieve another of like character. The self-denial required
to obtain means to invest in that which God values most highly will
develop habits and a character which will win for us the approbation,
“Well done,” and make us fit to dwell forever in the presence of Him
who for our sake became poor, that we through His poverty might
[133]
inherit eternal riches.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:296, 297
.
When We May Tire of Giving
Well, says one, the calls keep coming to give to the cause. I am
weary of giving. Are you? Then let me ask, Are you weary of receiving
from God’s beneficent hand? Not until He ceases to bless you will you
cease to be under bonds to return to Him the portion He claims. He
blesses you that it may be in your power to bless others. When you
are weary of receiving, then you may say, I am weary of so many calls
to give.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:150
.
Extension of the Work
God’s people have a mighty work before them, a work that must
continually rise to greater prominence. Our efforts in missionary lines
must become far more extensive. A more decided work than has been
done must be done prior to the second appearing of our Lord Jesus