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enjoyed. He has said: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him
shall be much required.”
Luke 12:48
A flood of light is shining from the word of God, and there must
be an awakening to neglected opportunities. When all are faithful
in giving back to God His own in tithes and offerings, the way will
be opened for the world to hear the message for this time. If the
hearts of God’s people were filled with love for Christ, if every church
member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, if
all manifested thorough earnestness, there would be no lack of funds
for home or foreign missions. Our resources would be multiplied;
a thousand doors of usefulness would be opened, and we should be
invited to enter. Had the purpose of God been carried out by His
people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere
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this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their
welcome into the city of God
God Asks for One-tenth of the Increase He Gives
The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men
were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the
definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of
Adam. In complying with God’s requirements, they were to manifest
in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them.
This was continued through successive generations, and was carried
out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the
most high God. The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob,
when at Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night,
solitary and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the
Lord: “Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto
Thee.” God does not compel men to give. All that they give must be
voluntary. He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling
offerings.
As to the amount required, God has specified one tenth of the
increase. This is left to the conscience and benevolence of men, whose
judgment in this tithing system should have free play. And while it is
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Testimonies for the Church 3:390-392
505
Testimonies for the Church 6:449, 450