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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
There is a great and important work to be accomplished in a very short
time. God never designed that the law of the tithing system should be
of no account among His people; but, instead of this, He designed that
the spirit of sacrifice should widen and deepen for the closing work.
Systematic benevolence should not be made systematic compul-
sion. It is freewill offerings that are acceptable to God. True Christian
benevolence springs from the principle of grateful love. Love to Christ
cannot exist without corresponding love to those whom He came into
the world to redeem. Love to Christ must be the ruling principle
of the being, controlling all the emotions and directing all the en-
ergies. Redeeming love should awaken all the tender affection and
self-sacrificing devotion that can possibly exist in the heart of man.
When this is the case, no heart-stirring appeals will be needed to break
through their selfishness and awaken their dormant sympathies, to call
forth benevolent offerings for the precious cause of truth.
Jesus has purchased us at an infinite sacrifice. All our capabilities
and our influence are indeed our Saviour’s, and should be dedicated
to His service. By doing this we show our gratitude that we have
been ransomed from the slavery of sin by the precious blood of Christ.
Our Saviour is ever working for us. He has ascended on high and
pleads in behalf of the purchase of His blood. He pleads before His
Father the agonies of the crucifixion. He raises His wounded hands
and intercedes for His church, that they may be kept from falling under
temptation.
If our perceptions could be quickened to take in this wonderful
work of our Saviour for our salvation, love, deep and ardent, would
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burn in our hearts. Our apathy and cold indifference would then alarm
us. Entire devotion and benevolence, prompted by grateful love, will
impart to the smallest offering, the willing sacrifice, a divine fragrance,
making the gift of priceless value. But, after willingly yielding to our
Redeemer all that we can bestow, be it ever so valuable to us, if we
view our debt of gratitude to God as it really is, all that we may have
offered will seem to us very insufficient and meager. But angels take
these offerings, which to us seem poor, and present them as a fragrant
offering before the throne, and they are accepted.
We do not, as followers of Christ, realize our true position. We
do not have correct views of our responsibilities as hired servants of
Christ. He has advanced us the wages in His suffering life and spilled