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Welfare Ministry
those who come to worship in the house of God will see a people
clothed in modest apparel in harmony with the faith and Word of God.
It is these things that steal away the love and trust and confidence of
God’s people in Him, that mar the religious experience and develop a
selfishness that God cannot look upon.—
Manuscript 52, 1898
.
The Second Tithe—To promote the assembling of the people for
religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of
all the increase was required. Concerning the first tithe, the Lord had
declared, “I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel,” But
in regard to the second He commanded, “Thou shalt eat before the Lord
thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there,
the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings
of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord
thy God always.” This tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for
two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established.
After presenting a thank offering to God and a specified portion to the
priest, the offerers were to use the remainder for a religious feast, in
which the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow should
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participate....
Every third year, however, this second tithe was to be used at home,
in entertaining the Levite and the poor, as Moses said, “That they may
eat within thy gates, and be filled.” This tithe would provide a fund for
the uses of charity and hospitality.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 530
.
The consecration to God of a tithe of all increase, whether of the
orchard and harvest field, the flocks and herds, or the labor of brain or
hand; the devotion of a second tithe for the relief of the poor and for
other benevolent uses, tended to keep fresh before the people the truth
of God’s ownership of all and of their opportunity to be channels of His
blessings. It was a training adapted to kill out all narrowing selfishness
and to cultivate breadth and nobility of character.—
Education, 44
.
Gifts and Offerings for Welfare Work—Deeds of mercy must
be done; the poor and the suffering must be aided. Gifts and offerings
should be appropriated for this purpose. Especially in new fields,
where the standard of truth has never yet been uplifted, this work must
be done.—
Special Testimonies, Series A 9:68
.
Medical missionaries can find a field in which to relieve the distress
of those who are failing under bodily ailments. They should have
means so that they may clothe the naked and feed the hungry. Christian