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Faithful Stewardship
[Manuscript read before the delegates at the San Jose (California)
State Conference, January, 1907.]
Christ has purchased us by the price of His own blood. He has
paid the purchase money for our redemption, and if we will lay hold
upon the treasure, it is ours by the free gift of God.
“How much owest thou unto my Lord?”
Luke 16:5
. It is impossi-
ble to tell. All that we have is from God. He lays His hand upon our
possessions, saying: “I am the rightful owner of the whole universe;
these are My goods. Consecrate to Me the tithes and offerings.
As you bring these specified goods as a token of your loyalty and
your submission to My sovereignty, My blessing shall increase your
substance, and you will have abundance.”
God is testing every soul that claims to believe in Him. All are
entrusted with talents. The Lord has given men His goods upon
which to trade. He has made them His stewards, and has placed
in their possession money, houses, and lands. All these are to be
regarded as the Lord’s goods and used to advance His work, to build
up His kingdom in the world. In trading with the Lord’s goods,
we are to seek Him for wisdom, that we may not use His sacred
trust to glorify ourselves or to indulge selfish impulses. The amount
entrusted varies, but those who have the smallest gifts must not feel
that because their talent of means is small, they can do nothing with
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it.
Every Christian is a steward of God, entrusted with His goods.
Remember the words: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a
man be found faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:2
. Let us be sure that we are
not robbing God in any jots or tittles, for much is involved in this
question.
All things belong to God. Men may ignore His claims. While
He bountifully bestows His blessings upon them, they may use His
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