222
Evangelism
after you, and urge upon the people the duty of faithfully bringing all
the tithes and offerings into the Lord’s treasury? This is the work of the
minister, but it has been sadly neglected. The people have robbed God,
and the wrong has been suffered because the minister did not want to
displease his brethren. God calls these men unfaithful stewards.—
The
Review and Herald, July 8, 1884
.
Faithful Tithe, Adequate Means—Should means flow into the
treasury exactly according to God’s plan,—a tenth of all the increase,—
there would be abundance to carry forward His work.—
Testimonies
For The Church 5:150
(1882).
Ingathering for Missions—In the providence of God, those who
are bearing the burden of His work have been endeavoring to put new
life into old methods of labor, and also to invent new plans and new
methods of awakening the interest of church members in a united effort
to reach the world. One of the new plans for reaching unbelievers
[253]
is the Harvest Ingathering campaign for missions. In many places,
during the past few years, this has proved a success, bringing blessing
to many, and increasing the flow of means into the mission treasury. As
those not of our faith have been made acquainted with the progress of
the third angel’s message in heathen lands, their sympathies have been
aroused, and some have sought to learn more of the truth that has such
power to transform hearts and lives. Men and women of all classes
have been reached, and the name of God has been glorified.—
Counsels
on Stewardship, 190, 191
.
Avoid Worldly Methods—We see the churches of our day en-
couraging feasting, gluttony, and dissipation, by the suppers, fairs,
dances, and festivals gotten up for the purpose of gathering means into
the church treasury. Here is a method invented by carnal minds to
secure means without sacrificing....
Let us stand clear of all these church corruptions, dissipations, and
festivals, which have a demoralizing influence upon young and old.
We have no right to throw over them the cloak of sanctity because
the means is to be used for church purposes. Such offerings are lame
and diseased, and bear the curse of God. They are the price of souls.
The pulpit may defend festivals, dancing, lotteries, fairs, and luxurious
feasts, to obtain means for church purposes; but let us participate in
none of these things; for if we do, God’s displeasure will be upon us.
We do not propose to appeal to the lust of the appetite or resort to