Counsels on Stewardship
355
of God upon them to give alms of the things which they possess to
[275]
support the warfare against the moral darkness which is flooding the
world. Never can the work of God advance as it should until the
followers of Christ become active, zealous workers
The Privilege of Being a Co-laborer With God
God is not dependent upon man for the support of His cause. He
could have sent means direct from heaven to supply His treasury, if His
providence had seen that this was best for man. He might have devised
means whereby angels would have been sent to publish the truth to
the world without the agency of men. He might have written the truth
upon the heavens, and let that declare to the world His requirements
in living characters. God is not dependent upon any man’s gold or
silver. He says: “Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle
upon a thousand hills.” “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the
world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.”
Psalm 50:10, 12
. Whatever
necessity there is for our agency in the advancement of the cause of
God, He has purposely arranged for our good. He has honored us by
making us co-workers with Him. He has ordained that there should be
a necessity for the co-operation of men, that they may keep in exercise
their benevolence.
The moral law enjoined the observance of the Sabbath, which was
not a burden except when that law was transgressed and they were
bound by the penalties involved in breaking it. The tithing system
was no burden to those who did not depart from the plan. The system
enjoined upon the Hebrews has not been repealed or relaxed by the
One who originated it. Instead of being of no force now, it was to be
more fully carried out and more extended, as salvation through Christ
alone should be more fully brought to light in the Christian age.
The gospel, extending and widening, required greater provisions
to sustain the warfare after the death of Christ, and this made the
law of almsgiving a more urgent necessity than under the Hebrew
government. Now God requires, not less, but greater gifts than at any
other period of the world. The principle laid down by Christ is that the
gifts and offerings should be in proportion to the light and blessings
503
Testimonies for the Church 3:388, 389