Stewards of God
281
Make God’s Requirements First—God’s requirements come
first. We are not doing His will if we consecrate to Him what is
left of our income after all our imaginary wants have been supplied.
Before any part of our earnings is consumed, we should take out and
present to Him that portion which He claims. In the old dispensation
an offering of gratitude was kept continually burning upon the altar,
thus showing man’s endless obligation to God. If we have prosperity
in our secular business, it is because God blesses us. A part of this
income is to be devoted to the poor, and a large portion to be applied
to the cause of God. When that which God claims is rendered to Him,
the remainder will be sanctified and blessed to our own use. But when
a man robs God by withholding that which He requires, His curse rests
upon the whole
[370]
Remember the Needy Poor—If we represent the character of
Christ, every particle of selfishness must be expelled from the soul. In
carrying forward the work He gave to our hands, it will be necessary for
us to give every jot and tittle of our means that we can spare. Poverty
and distress in families will come to our knowledge, and afflicted
and suffering ones will have to be relieved. We know very little of
the human suffering that exists everywhere about us; but as we have
opportunity, we should be ready to render immediate assistance to
those who are under a severe pressure
The squandering of money in luxuries deprives the poor of the
means necessary to supply them with food and clothing. That which
is spent for the gratification of pride in dress, in buildings, in furni-
ture, and in decorations would relieve the distress of many wretched,
suffering families. God’s stewards are to minister to the needy
God’s Remedy for Selfishness and Covetousness—The giving
that is the fruit of self-denial is a wonderful help to the giver. It imparts
an education that enables us more fully to comprehend the work of Him
who went about doing good, relieving the suffering, and supplying the
needs of the destitute
Constant, self-denying benevolence is God’s remedy for the canker-
ing sins of selfishness and covetousness. God has arranged systematic
8
Ibid., 4:477
.
9
Manuscript 25, 1894
.
10
The Review and Herald, December 8, 1896
.
11
The Youth’s Instructor, September 10, 1907
.