Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 20— Payment by Note
Friday morning I spoke on the subject of tithing. This subject has not been presented to the churches as it should have been, and the neglect, together with financial depression, has caused a marked falling off in the tithes the past year. At this conference the subject has been carefully canvassed in meeting after meeting.... {CS 96.4}
One brother, a noble-looking man, a delegate from Tasmania, came to me and said, “I am glad I heard you speak today upon tithing. I did not know it was so important a matter. I dare not neglect it longer.” He is now figuring up the amount of his tithe for the last twenty years, and says he shall pay it all as fast as he is able, for he cannot have robbery of God registered in the books of heaven meet him in the judgment. {CS 96.5}
One sister belonging to the Melbourne church, has brought in eleven pounds [$54] back tithe which she had not understood that it devolved on her to pay. As they have received the light, many have made confession in regard to their indebtedness to God, and expressed their determination to meet this debt.... I proposed that they place in the treasury their note promising to pay the full amount of an honest tithe as soon as they could obtain the money to do so. Many heads bowed assent, and I am confident that next year we shall not, as now, have an empty treasury.—Manuscript 4, 1893. {CS 97.1}
If everyone made up their debt to God’s treasury, there would be an abundance of funds to get the work done. Understandably, not everyone can do so all at once, but with diligence, it is possible over time. We are all in this together and much work is still required. Watch, pray, and work. With effort and discipline, the gospel can be broadcast throughout the world to hasten the second coming of Christ Jesus. However, before such time, we all want to make an honest effort in not having robbery registered against us in the books of heaven. Dare not neglect your giving any longer.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We come to the foot of Your throne of grace in praise and thanksgiving. We thank You for providing for all our needs in abundance. We are sorry if we have not returned the whole portion due You. We pray for Your mercy and Your help to make up any difference. We pray for an abundance in Your treasury to spread the everlasting gospel to the world and to hasten Your second coming. Help us all to realize the importance of this matter so that Your treasury is full and not empty. Help all to be a faithful and cheerful giver. We thank and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
