Tithes and Offerings
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enjoyed. He has said: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him
shall be much required.”
The blessings of the Christian Age were responded to by the first
disciples in works of charity and benevolence. The outpouring of the
Spirit of God, after Christ left His disciples and ascended to heaven,
led to self-denial and self-sacrifice for the salvation of others. When
the poor saints at Jerusalem were in distress, Paul wrote to the Gentile
Christians in regard to works of benevolence, and said: “Therefore,
as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,
and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this
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grace also.” Here benevolence is placed by the side of faith, love, and
Christian diligence. Those who think that they can be good Christians
and close their ears and hearts to the calls of God for their liberalities,
are in a fearful deception. There are those who abound in professions
of great love for the truth, and, so far as words are concerned, have an
interest to see the truth advance, but who do nothing for its advance-
ment. The faith of such is dead, not being made perfect by works. The
Lord never made such a mistake as to convert a soul and leave it under
the power of covetousness.
The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men
were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the
definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of
Adam. In complying with God’s requirements, they were to manifest
in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them.
This was continued through successive generations, and was carried
out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the
most high God. The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob,
when at Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night,
solitary and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the
Lord: “Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto
Thee.” God does not compel men to give. All that they give must be
voluntary. He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling
offerings.
The Lord designed to bring man into close relationship with Him-
self and into sympathy and love with his fellow men by placing upon
him responsibilities in deeds that would counteract selfishness and
strengthen his love for God and man. The plan of system in benevo-
lence God designed for the good of man, who is inclined to be selfish