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Means and Methods
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from God. He says: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me.
But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole
nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be
meat in Mine house.”
This is not a request of man; it is one of God’s ordinances,
whereby His work may be sustained and carried on in the world.
God help us to repent. “Return unto Me,” He says, “and I will return
unto you.” Men who have a desire to do their duty have it laid down
in clear lines in this chapter. No one can excuse himself from paying
his tithes and offerings to the Lord.
The Lord bestows His gifts abundantly upon us. He “so loved the
world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Every blessing
we have comes through Jesus Christ. Then shall we not arouse, and
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do our duty toward God, upon whom we are dependent for life and
health, for His blessing upon our crops and fields, our cattle, our
herds, and our vineyards? We are assured if we give to the Lord’s
treasury, we shall receive of Him again; but if we withhold of our
means, He will withhold His blessing from us, and send a curse
upon the unfaithful.
God has said, “Prove Me now herewith, ... if I will not open you
the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall
not be room enough to receive it.” What a wonderful presentation in
promised blessings is He giving us! Who can venture to rob God in
tithes and offerings with such a promise as this! “And I will rebuke
the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of
your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time
in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you
blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Another year has nearly passed into eternity, with its burden of
record. Let us look over the past year, and if we have not done our
full duty willingly, heartily unto the Lord, let us come up to the new
year making a faithful record to our God.
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Practical Instruction in Labor
[Special Testimonies, Series A 7:42-52 (1897).]