Chapter 36—Specific Funds for Welfare Work
Christians to Act as God’s Treasurers—The poor are God’s
heritage. Christ has given His life for them. He calls upon those whom
He has appointed to act as His stewards, to give liberally of the means
entrusted to them to relieve the poor and to support His work in the
earth. The Lord is rich in resources. He has appointed men to act as
His treasurers in this world. That which He has given them they are to
use in his service.—
Manuscript 146, 1903
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A Thank Offering for the Poor—In every church there should
be established a treasury for the poor. Then let each member present
a thank offering to God once a week or once a month, as is most
convenient. This offering will express our gratitude for the gifts of
health, of food, and of comfortable clothing. And according as God
has blessed us with these comforts will we lay by for the poor, the
suffering, and the distressed. I would call the attention of our brethren
specially to this point. Remember the poor. Forgo some of your
luxuries, yea, even comforts, and help those who can obtain only the
most meager food and clothing. In doing for them you are doing for
Jesus in the person of His saints. He identifies Himself with suffering
humanity. Do not wait until your imaginary wants are all satisfied. Do
not trust to your feelings and give when you feel like it and withhold
when you do not feel like it. Give regularly, either ten, twenty, or fifty
cents a week, as you would like to see upon the heavenly record in the
day of God.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:150, 151
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A Self-denial Box at Home—Let everyone have a self-denial box
in his home, and when he would spend pennies and shillings in self-
gratification let him remember the needy and starving in Africa and
India and those close by his own door. There are poor among us.
Practice economy, and in every line present your case to God. Ask
Him to give you the spirit of Christ, that you may be in every sense
of the word Christ’s disciples and receive His blessing. As you turn
from the worship of self and try to relieve suffering humanity, pray
that God will give you a true missionary work to do for souls. Then
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