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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
give his proportion according to the tithing system, but to present his
sin offerings and thank offerings to God. The Levitical dispensation
was distinguished in a remarkable manner by the sanctification of
property. When we speak of the tithe as the standard of the Jewish
contributions to religious purposes, we do not speak understandingly.
The Lord kept His claims paramount, and in almost every article they
were reminded of the Giver by being required to make returns to Him.
They were required to pay a ransom for their firstborn son, for the
first fruits of their flocks, and for the first gathering of the harvest.
They were required to leave the corners of their harvest fields for the
destitute. Whatever dropped from their hands in reaping was left for
the poor, and once in every seven years their lands were allowed to
produce spontaneously for the needy. Then there were the sacrificial
offerings, the trespass offerings, the sin offerings, and the remission of
all debts every seventh year. There were also numerous expenses for
hospitalities and gifts to the poor, and there were assessments upon
their property.
At stated periods, in order to preserve the integrity of the law, the
people were interviewed as to whether they had faithfully performed
their vows or not. A conscientious few made returns to God of about
one third of all their income for the benefit of religious interests and
for the poor. These exactions were not from a particular class of the
people, but from all, the requirement being proportioned according
to the amount possessed. Besides all these systematic and regular
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donations there were special objects calling for freewill offerings, such
as the tabernacle built in the wilderness and the temple erected at
Jerusalem. These drafts were made by God upon the people for their
own good, as well as to sustain His service.
There must be an awakening among us as a people upon this
matter. There are but few men who feel conscience-stricken if they
neglect their duty in beneficence. But few feel remorse of soul because
they are daily robbing God. If a Christian deliberately or accidentally
underpays his neighbor, or refuses to cancel an honest debt, his con-
science, unless seared, will trouble him; he cannot rest although no one
may know but himself. There are many neglected vows and unpaid
pledges, and yet how few trouble their minds over the matter; how few
feel the guilt of this violation of duty. We must have new and deeper
convictions on this subject. The conscience must be aroused, and the