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True Education
business world. Even in this age of passion for getting money,
when competition is sharp and methods often are unscrupulous, it is
still widely acknowledged that, for a young person starting in life,
integrity, diligence, temperance, purity, and thrift constitute better
capital than any amount of mere money.
Yet even of those who appreciate the value of these qualities
and acknowledge the Bible as their source, but few recognize the
principle on which they depend. That which lies at the foundation of
business integrity and true success is recognition of God’s ownership.
As the Creator of all things, He is the original proprietor. We are His
stewards. All that we have is a trust from Him, to be used according
to His direction.
This obligation rests on every human being. It has to do with the
whole sphere of human activity. Whether we recognize it or not, we
are stewards, supplied by God with talents and faculties, and placed
in the world to do a work appointed by Him.
To every person is given the work for which his or her capabilities
are best suited, the work that will result in greatest good to the human
race and bring greatest honor to God.
Thus our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and so
long as it is conducted in accordance with His will He is responsible
for the results. As “God’s servants, working together” (
1 Corinthians
3:9
, NRSV), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus
there is no place for anxious care. Every faculty is to be exercised to
its highest capacity, but the dependence will be, not on the successful
outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The word that fed
Israel in the desert and sustained Elijah through the time of famine,
has the same power today. “Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What
shall we eat?’ or, ‘What shall we drink?’ ... Seek first the kingdom
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of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you.”
Matthew 6:31-33
.
The Tithe Is the Lord’s
The God who gives human beings power to get wealth has with
the gift bound up an obligation. Of all that we acquire He claims
a specified portion. The tithe is the Lord’s. “All the tithe of the
land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree ... the