Systematic Benevolence
213
recorded in heaven, and they were cursed in their harvest and their
flocks just as they withheld. Some were visited with affliction in their
families. God would not accept a lame offering. It must be without
blemish, the best of their flocks, and the best fruits of their fields. And
it must be a freewill offering, if they would have the blessing of the
Lord rest upon their families and their possessions.
The case of Ananias and Sapphira was presented before me to
illustrate the course of those who put down their property below its
value. They pretended to make a freewill offering of their possessions
to the Lord. Said Peter: “Tell me whether ye sold the land for so
much?” The answer was: “Yea, for so much.” Some in this evil age
would not consider that a lie. But the Lord regarded it thus. They had
sold it for so much, and much more. They had professed to consecrate
all to God. To Him they had dissembled, and their retribution lingered
not.
I saw that in the arrangement of systematic benevolence, hearts
will be tested and proved. It is a constant, living test. It brings one
to understand his own heart, to see whether the truth or the love of
the world predominates. Here is a test for the naturally selfish and
covetous. They will put down their possessions at very low figures.
Here they dissemble. Said the angel: “Cursed be he that doeth the
[222]
work of the Lord deceitfully.” Angels are watching the development
of character, and the acts of such are carried to heaven by the heavenly
messengers. Some will be visited of God for these things, and their
increase will be brought down to their figures. “There is that scattereth,
and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet,
but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he
that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
Proverbs 11:24, 25
.
All are required to have an interest in this work. Those who use
tobacco, tea, and coffee should lay aside those idols, and put their cost
into the treasury of the Lord. Some have never made a sacrifice for the
cause of God, and are asleep as to what God requires of them. Some
of the very poorest will have the greatest struggle to deny themselves
of these stimulants. This individual sacrifice is not required because
the cause of God is suffering for means. But every heart will be tested,
every character developed. It is principle that God’s people must act
upon. The living principle must be carried out in the life.