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and to close his heart to generous deeds. The Lord requires gifts to
be made at stated times, being so arranged that giving will become
habit and benevolence be felt to be a Christian duty. The heart, opened
by one gift, is not to have time to become selfishly cold and to close
before the next is bestowed. The stream is to be continually flowing,
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thus keeping open the channel by acts of benevolence.
As to the amount required, God has specified one tenth of the
increase. This is left to the conscience and benevolence of men, whose
judgment in this tithing system should have free play. And while it is
left free to the conscience, a plan has been laid out definite enough for
all. No compulsion is required.
God called for men in the Mosaic dispensation to give the tenth of
all their increase. He committed to their trust the things of this life,
talents to be improved and returned to Him. He has required a tenth,
and this He claims as the very least that man should return to Him. He
says: I give you nine tenths, while I require one tenth; that is Mine.
When men withhold the one tenth, they rob God. Sin offerings, peace
offerings, and thank offerings were also required in addition to the
tenth of the increase.
All that is withheld of that which God claims, the tenth of the
increase, is recorded in the books of heaven against the withholders,
as robbery. Such defraud their Creator; and when this sin of neglect is
brought before them, it is not enough for them to change their course
and begin to work from that time upon the right principle. This will
not correct the figures made in the heavenly record for embezzling
the property committed to them in trust to be returned to the Lender.
Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God, and for base ingratitude,
is required.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein
have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a
curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the
tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and
prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you
the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it.” A promise is here given that, if all
the tithes are brought into the storehouse, a blessing from God will be
poured upon the obedient.
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