Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
Chapter 17—Jacob’s Flight and Exile
Our time, our talents, our property, should be sacredly devoted to Him who has given us these blessings in trust. Whenever a special deliverance is wrought in our behalf, or new and unexpected favors are granted us, we should acknowledge God’s goodness, not only by expressing our gratitude in words, but, like Jacob, by gifts and offerings to His cause. As we are continually receiving the blessings of God, so we are to be continually giving. {PP 187.4}
“Of all that Thou shalt give me,” said Jacob, “I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.” Shall we who enjoy the full light and privileges of the gospel be content to give less to God than was given by those who lived in the former, less favored dispensation? Nay, as the blessings we enjoy are greater, are not our obligations correspondingly increased? But how small the estimate; how vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love, against a love so immeasurable and a gift of such inconceivable worth. Tithes for Christ! Oh, meager pittance, shameful recompense for that which cost so much! From the cross of Calvary, Christ calls for an unreserved consecration. All that we have, all that we are, should be devoted to God. {PP 188.1}
I think back to all the money I’ve wasted, all the time I’ve wasted, all the energy I’ve wasted, doing frivolous things. I confess, I did a poor job as a steward of God with that which He entrusted to me. I wish I could get it all back and do what was right, to have given back to God. But I move forward because even if I were to get it all back, it would still be a mere pittance and pale in comparison to what Jesus has given me. No, I cannot repay that debt because Jesus has already paid it for me. All the blessings that we receive were given to us in trust. All that we have, all that we are, should be devoted to God.
Our Father, God Almighty,
We thank You for giving us yet another opportunity to give back to You a portion of that which You have blessed us with. We not only express our gratitude in words, but, like Jacob, by gifts and offerings to further Your cause. Though it is a mere pittance for that which cost so much, we pray that You will bless these tithes and offerings to go towards furthering the work You have trusted us to do, and that we would soon see You coming in the clouds. We thank You for giving us strength to continue to labor for You and for letting us enter Your rest. Save us and forgive us of our sins we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
