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Faithful Stewardship
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gifts for their own selfish gratification; but they will be called to give
an account for their stewardship.
A steward identifies himself with his master. He accepts the
responsibilities of a steward, and he must act in his master’s stead,
doing as his master would do were he presiding. His master’s
interests become his. The position of a steward is one of dignity
because his master trusts him. If in any wise he acts selfishly and
turns the advantages gained by trading with his lord’s goods to his
own advantage, he has perverted the trust reposed in him.
The Support of the Gospel
The Lord has made the proclamation of the gospel dependent
upon the labors and the voluntary gifts of all His people. The one
who proclaims the message of mercy to fallen men has another work
also—to set before the people the duty of sustaining the work of God
with their means. He must teach them that a portion of their income
belongs to God and is to be sacredly bestowed to His work. This
lesson he should present by both precept and example; he should
beware that he does not by his own course lessen the force of his
teaching.
That which has been set apart according to the Scriptures as
belonging to the Lord constitutes the revenue of the gospel and is
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no longer ours. It is no better than sacrilege for a man to take from
God’s treasury in order to serve himself or to serve others in their
secular business. Some have been at fault in diverting from the altar
of God that which has been especially dedicated to Him. All should
regard this matter in the right light. Let no one, when brought into a
strait place, take money consecrated to religious purposes and use
it for his advantage, soothing his conscience by saying that he will
repay it at some future time. Far better cut down the expenses to
correspond with the income, to restrict the wants, and live within
the means than to use the Lord’s money for secular purposes.
The Use of the Tithe
God has given special direction as to the use of the tithe. He does
not design that His work shall be crippled for want of means. That