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“Freely Ye Have Received, Freely Give”
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There are many in our world who are longing to hear the word
of life. But how can they hear without a preacher? And how can
those sent to teach them live without support? God would have the
lives of His workers carefully sustained. They are His property, and
He is dishonored when they are compelled to labor in a way that
injures their health. He is dishonored, also, when for lack of means
workers cannot be sent to destitute fields.
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In place of complaining of the officers of the General Confer-
ence because they cannot respond to the multiplied calls for men and
means, let our church members bear a living testimony to the power
of the truth by denying self and giving liberally for the advance-
ment of the work. Let our sisters save by refusing to put expensive
trimmings on their garments. Let every unnecessary expense be cut
down. Let every family bring their tithes and offerings to the Lord.
God’s Almoners
Those who are truly converted will regard themselves as God’s
almoners and will dispense, for the advancement of the work, the
means He has placed in their hands. If Christ’s words were obeyed,
there would be sufficient means in His treasury for the needs of His
cause. He has entrusted to men and women an abundance of means
for the carrying forward of His plan of mercy and benevolence.
He bids His stewards of means invest their money in the work of
feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and preaching the gospel to
the poor. Perfection of character cannot possibly be attained without
self-sacrifice.
Never was there a more important time in the history of our work
than the present. The message of the third chapter of Malachi comes
to us, holding up before us the need of honesty in our relations to the
Lord and His work. My brethren, the money that you use to buy and
sell and get gain will be a curse to you if you withhold from the Lord
that which is His. The means entrusted to you for the advancement
of the Lord’s work should be used in sending the gospel to all parts
of the world.
We are Christ’s witnesses, and we are not to allow worldly
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interests and plans to absorb our time and attention. There are
higher interests at stake. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and