Sacredness of Vows
423
thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men,
but unto God.”
A special example was necessary to guard the young church from
becoming demoralized; for their numbers were rapidly increasing.
A warning was thus given to all who professed Christ at that time,
and to all who should afterward profess His name, that God requires
faithfulness in the performance of vows. But notwithstanding this
signal punishment of deception and lying, the same sins have often
been repeated in the Christian church and are widespread in our day. I
have been shown that God gave this example as a warning to all who
[464]
should be tempted to act in a similar manner. Selfishness and fraud
are practiced daily in the church, in withholding from God that which
He claims, thus robbing Him and conflicting with His arrangements
to diffuse the light and knowledge of truth throughout the length and
breadth of the land.
God in His wise plans has made the advancement of His cause
dependent upon the personal efforts of His people and upon their
freewill offerings. By accepting the co-operation of man in the great
plan of redemption, He has placed a signal honor upon him. The
minister cannot preach except he be sent. The work of dispensing light
does not rest upon ministers alone. Every person, upon becoming a
member of the church, pledges himself to be a representative of Christ
by living out the truth he professes. The followers of Christ should
carry forward the work which He left for them to do when He ascended
into heaven.
Institutions that are God’s instruments to carry forward His work
on the earth must be sustained. Churches must be erected, schools
established, and publishing houses furnished with facilities for doing
a great work in the publication of the truth to be sent to all parts
of the world. These institutions are ordained of God and should be
sustained by tithes and liberal offerings. As the work enlarges, means
will be needed to carry it forward in all its branches. Those who have
been converted to the truth and been made partakers of His grace may
become co-workers with Christ by making voluntary sacrifices and
freewill offerings to Him. And when the members of the church wish in
their hearts that there would be no more calls for means, they virtually
say that they are content that the cause of God shall not progress.