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Pastoral Ministry
Tithes and offerings must not be withheld by givers even if
they are not in harmony with what the Conference does—You
who have been withholding your means from the cause of God, read
the book of Malachi, and see what is spoken there in regard to tithes and
offerings. Cannot you see that it is not best under any circumstances
to withhold your tithes and offerings because you are not in harmony
with everything your brethren do? The tithes and offerings are not
the property of any man, but are to be used in doing a certain work
for God. Unworthy ministers may receive some of the means thus
raised, but dare any one, because of this, withhold from the treasury,
and brave the curse of God? I dare not. I pay my tithes gladly and
freely, saying, as did David, “Of thine own have we given thee.” A
selfish withholding from God will tend to poverty in our own souls.
Act your part, my brethren and sisters. God loves you, and He stands at
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the helm. If the Conference business is not managed according to the
order of the Lord, that is the sin of the erring ones. The Lord will not
hold you responsible for it, if you do what you can to correct the evil.
But do not commit sin yourselves by withholding from God his own
property. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently,”
or deceitfully.—
Sermons and Talks, 2:74, 75
.
World Church
Support offerings for imperiled institutions—When the Lord
places before us an appeal to be responded to, just at the time when
offerings are to be made by our people, let the ministers and church
officers take up the matter earnestly and vigorously. Let them as
stewards of God decide what is to be done, and then do it. This is
absolutely necessary when our institutions are in so great peril.—
The
Review and Herald, March 19, 1901
.
Holiday gifts should be given to foreign missions—Every dollar
and every dime that we can spare is needed now, to aid in carrying the
message of truth to other lands. At the holiday season much is spent
by our own people upon gifts and various gratifications which are not
only useless but often hurtful. Appetite is indulged, pride and self-love
are fostered, and Christ is forgotten. If the money usually devoted to
these objects were all brought into the mission treasury, our foreign
missions would be lifted above embarrassment. Shall we not this year