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Counsels for the Church
Rightly directed benevolence draws upon the mental and moral
energies of men, and excites them to most healthful action in blessing
the needy and in advancing the cause of God
Every opportunity to help a brother in need, or to aid the cause of
God in the spread of the truth, is a pearl that you can send beforehand
and deposit in the bank of heaven for safekeeping
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“Of Every Man That Giveth It Willingly”
The only means which God has ordained to advance His cause
is to bless men with property. He gives them the sunshine and the
rain; He causes vegetation to flourish; He gives health and ability to
acquire means. All our blessings come from His bountiful hand. In
turn He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning
Him a portion in tithes and offerings—in thank offerings, in freewill
offerings, in trespass offerings
The liberality of the Jews in the construction of the tabernacle and
the erection of the temple illustrates a spirit of benevolence which has
not been equaled by Christians of any later date. They had just been
freed from their long bondage in Egypt and were wanderers in the
wilderness; yet scarcely were they delivered from the armies of the
Egyptians who pursued them in their hasty journey, when the word of
the Lord came to Moses, saying: “Speak unto the children of Israel,
that they bring Me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly
with his heart ye shall take My offering.”
Exodus 25:2
.
His people had small possessions and no flattering prospect of
adding to them; but an object was before them—to build a tabernacle
for God. The Lord had spoken, and they must obey His voice. They
withheld nothing. All gave with a willing hand, not a certain amount
of their increase, but a large portion of their actual possessions. They
devoted it gladly and heartily to the Lord, and pleased Him by so
doing. Was it not all His? Had He not given them all they possessed?
If He called for it, was it not their duty to give back to the Lender His
own?
495
Testimonies for the Church 3:401
496
Testimonies for the Church 3:249
497
Testimonies for the Church 5:150