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Testimonies for the Church Volume 9
work. They are to be sustained, but not from the tithe. God has not
changed; the tithe is still to be used for the support of the ministry.
The opening of new fields requires more ministerial efficiency than
we now have, and there must be means in the treasury.
Those who go forth as ministers have a solemn responsibility
devolving upon them which is strangely neglected. Some enjoy
preaching, but they do not give personal labor to the churches. There
is great need of instruction concerning the obligations and duties to
God, especially in regard to paying an honest tithe. Our ministers
would feel sadly aggrieved if they were not promptly paid for their
labor; but will they consider that there must be meat in the treasure
house of God wherewith to sustain the laborers? If they fail to do
their whole duty in educating the people to be faithful in paying to
God His own, there will be a shortage of means in the treasury to
carry forward the Lord’s work.
The overseer of the flock of God should faithfully discharge his
duty. If he takes the position that because this is not pleasant to him,
he will leave it for someone else to do, he is not a faithful worker.
Let him read in Malachi the words of the Lord charging the people
with robbery toward God in withholding the tithes. The mighty
God declares: “Ye are cursed with a curse.”
Malachi 3:9
. When the
one who ministers in word and doctrine sees the people pursuing a
course that will bring this curse upon them, how can he neglect his
duty to give them instruction and warning? Every church member
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should be taught to be faithful in paying an honest tithe.
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be
meat in Mine house, and prove Me now here with, saith the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you
out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Verse 10
.
* * * * *
I pray that my brethren may realize that the third angel’s message
means much to us and that the observance of the true Sabbath is to
be the sign that distinguishes those who serve God from those who
serve Him not. Let those who have become sleepy and indifferent,
awake. We are called to be holy, and we should carefully avoid