Appendix D—Use of the Tithe
243
The fibrous roots of selfishness will root themselves wherever they
are given a chance. We want to cut out and exterminate every fiber of
the root of selfishness
.
If one is appointed to a field where he is deprived of many things,
and is sent into that field by the decision of the conference, that same
power is to bear its share of the burden of making this messenger of
God in that field as nearly as possible as comfortable and as pleasantly
situated as the members of this power are in their several localities.
The Lord will bless all such love expressed toward His workers in hard
places
.
But there is not that careful, tender regard, that thoughtful discrim-
ination, in such cases, as there ought to be. If all who have anything to
do with these matters would let the bright beams of the Sun of Righ-
teousness shine fully into their hearts, they would open the windows
on heaven’s side and then diffuse in every way possible the light to
others, in a variety of ways
.
All these things are to be done, as you propose, to help students
to obtain an education; but I ask you, Shall we not all act in this
matter unselfishly and create a fund, and keep it to draw upon on such
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occasions? When you see a young man or a young woman who is
a promising subject, advance or loan the sum needed, with the idea
that it is a loan, not a gift. It would be better to have it thus. Then
when it is returned, it can be used to educate others. But this money
is not to be taken from the tithe, but from a separate fund secured for
that purpose. This would exert a healthy uprightness and charity and
patriotism among our people. There must be thoughtful consideration
and a skillful adjustment of the work in the cause of God in all its
departments. But let there be no meager, stingy plans in using the
consecrated portion for the sustaining of the ministry; for then the
treasury would soon be empty
.
The management of the case of Brother Hickox is after human
methods, not after the methods which the Lord has ordained. I have
had this matter so presented to me that I see the danger of diverting
the tithe to any such purpose as you have suggested. The Lord is not
pleased with your management of this case. May the Lord help you
all to have the heavenly anointing, that no such thing may be repeated
.
Brother Farnsworth is ready to voice the decisions of human minds
without looking on all sides of the question to see if there might not