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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
and selfish enjoyment, shall I not say: No, I will spend nothing for my
own gratification while the house of God is burdened with debt?”
Our Redeemer claims far more than we give Him. Self interposes
its desire to be first; but the Lord claims the whole heart, the entire
affections. He will not come in as second. And should not Christ
have our first and highest consideration? Should He not demand this
token of our respect and loyalty? These things underlie our very heart
life, in the home circle and in the church. If the heart, the soul, the
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strength, the life, are surrendered wholly to God, if the affections are
given wholly to Him, we shall make Him supreme in all our service.
When we are in harmony with God, the thought of His honor and glory
comes before everything else. No person is preferred before Him in
our gifts and offerings. We have a sense of what it means to be partners
with Christ in the sacred firm.
The house where God meets with His people will be dear and
sacred to every one of His loyal children. It will not be left crippled
with debt. To allow such a thing would appear almost like a denial of
your faith. You will be ready to make a great personal sacrifice if only
you may have a house free from debt, where God can meet with and
bless His people.
Every debt upon every house of worship among us may be paid
if the members of the church will plan wisely and put forth earnest,
zealous effort to cancel the debt. And in every case where a debt
is lifted, let there be a service of thanksgiving, which shall be as a
rededication to God of His house.
* * * * *
God tries the faith of His people to test their character. Those
who in times of emergency are willing to make sacrifices for Him are
the ones whom He will honor with a partnership in His work. Those
who are unwilling to practice self-denial in order to carry out God’s
purposes will be tested, that their course may appear to human eyes as
it appears to the eyes of Him who reads the heart.
* * * * *
When the Lord sees His people restricting their imaginary wants,
practicing self-denial, not in a mournful, regretful spirit, as Lot’s