Message of Christian Stewardship
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carnal amusements as an inducement to Christ’s professed followers
to give of the means which God has entrusted to them. If they do not
give willingly, for the love of Christ, the offering will in no case be
acceptable to God.—
Counsels on Stewardship, 201, 202
(1878).
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Bribed by Feasting and Merriment—It is a deplorable fact that
sacred and eternal considerations do not have that power to open the
hearts of the professed followers of Christ to make freewill offerings
to sustain the gospel, as the tempting bribes of feasting and general
merriment. It is a sad reality that these inducements will prevail when
sacred and eternal things will have no force to influence the heart to
engage in works of benevolence.
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.—
Counsels on Stewardship, 203
(1874).
And what impression is made upon the minds of unbelievers? The
holy standard of the Word of God is lowered into the dust. Contempt
is cast upon God and upon the Christian name. The most corrupt
principles are strengthened by this un-Scriptural way of raising means.
And this is as Satan would have it. Men are repeating the sin of Nadab
and Abihu. They are using common instead of sacred fire in the service
of God. The Lord accepts no such offerings.
All these methods for bringing money into His treasury are an
abomination to Him. It is a spurious devotion that prompts all such
devising. O what blindness, what infatuation, is upon many who claim
to be Christians! Church members are doing as did the inhabitants of
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the world in the days of Noah, when the imagination of their hearts
was only evil continually. All who fear God will abhor such practices
as a misrepresentation of the religion of Jesus Christ.—
Counsels on
Stewardship, 205
(1896).