Chapter 101—“Honor the Lord With Thy Substance”
“How much owest thou unto my Lord?” Shall we receive every
blessing from the hand of God, and yet make no returns to Him,—
not even in giving Him our tithe, the portion which He has reserved
unto Himself? It has become customary to turn everything out of the
true line of self-sacrifice into the path of self-pleasing. But shall we
continually receive His favors with indifference, and make no response
to His love?
Will you not, dear youth, become missionaries for God? Will you,
as you have never done before, learn the precious lesson of making
gifts to the Lord by putting into the treasury of that which He has
freely given you to enjoy? Whatever you have received, let a portion
be returned to the Giver as a gratitude offering. A part should also be
put into the treasury for the missionary work to be done both at home
and abroad.
Treasures in Heaven
The cause of God should lie very near our hearts. The light of
truth which has been a blessing to one family will, if communicated by
parents and children, prove as great a blessing to other families also.
But when God’s bounties, so richly and abundantly given, are withheld
from Him, and selfishly bestowed upon ourselves, God’s curse, in the
place of His blessing, will surely be experienced; for this the Lord has
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declared. God’s claim is to take the precedence of any other claim,
and must be discharged first. Then the poor and the needy are to be
cared for. These must not be neglected, at whatever cost or sacrifice to
ourselves.
“That there may be meat in Mine house.” It is our duty to be temper-
ate in all things, in eating, in drinking, and in dressing. Our buildings
and the furnishing of our homes should be carefully considered with
the heart’s desire to render to God His own, not only in tithes, but as far
as possible in gifts and offerings also. Very many might be laying up
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