Teaching the People to Be Liberal
Never should the laborer who raises up little companies here and
there, give the impression to those newly come to the faith, that God
does not require them to work systematically in helping to sustain the
cause by their personal labors and by their means. Frequently those
who receive the truth are among the poor of this world; but they should
not make this an excuse for neglecting those duties which devolve
upon them in view of the precious light they have received. They
should not allow poverty to prevent them from laying up a treasure in
heaven. The blessings within reach of the rich are also within their
reach. If they are faithful in using what little they do possess, their
treasure in heaven will increase according to their fidelity. It is the
motive with which they work, not the amount they do, that makes their
offering valuable in the sight of Heaven.
All should be taught to do what they can for the Master; to render to
Him according as He has prospered them. He claims as His just due a
tenth of their income, be it large or small; and those who withhold this,
commit robbery toward Him, and cannot expect His prospering hand to
be with them. Even if the church is composed mostly of poor brethren,
the subject of systematic benevolence should be thoroughly explained,
and the plan heartily adopted. God is able to fulfil His promises. His
resources are infinite, and He employs them all in accomplishing His
will. And when He sees a faithful performance of duty in the payment
of the tithe, He often, in His wise providence, opens ways whereby it
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shall increase. He who follows God’s arrangement in the little that has
been given him, will receive the same returns as he who bestows of
his abundance.
The same is true also of those who cheerfully employ their talents
of ability in the cause of God, while those who fail to improve that
which has been given them will incur the same loss as if that little had
been much. It was the man who had only one talent, but who hid that
talent in the earth, that received the condemnation of the Lord.
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