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Counsels for the Church
of the tenth He says: This is Mine. Just in proportion as God has given
His property to man, so man is to return to God a faithful tithe of all
his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ
Himself
The truth for this time must be carried into the dark corners of
the earth, and this work may begin at home. The followers of Christ
should not live selfish lives; but, imbued with the Spirit of Christ, they
should work in harmony with Him
The great work which Jesus announced that He came to do was
entrusted to His followers upon the earth. He has given His people a
plan for raising sums sufficient to make the enterprise self-sustaining.
God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and
equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine
in its origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility, and it does
not require depth of learning to understand and execute it. All may
feel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work of
salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for
the Lord and may be an agent to meet the demands upon the treasury.
Says the apostle: “Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God
hath prospered him.”
1 Corinthians 16:2
.
Great objects are accomplished by this system. If one and all
would accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer
for God, and there would be no want of means with which to carry
forward the great work of sounding the last message of warning to
the world. The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the
contributors will not be left the poorer. Through every investment
made they will become more wedded to the cause of present truth.
They will be “laying up in store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
1
Timothy 6:19
.
As the persevering, systematic workers see that the tendency of
their benevolent efforts is to nourish love to God and their fellow men,
and that their personal efforts are extending their sphere of usefulness,
they will realize that it is a great blessing to be co-workers with Christ.
The Christian church, as a general thing, are disowning the claims
501
Testimonies for the Church 6:384
502
Testimonies for the Church 3:381