Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 17—A Daring Repudiation
“I understand that you are also proclaiming that we should not pay tithe. My brother, take off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon you are standing is holy ground. The Lord has spoken in regard to paying tithes. He has said, ‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house.’ ... {CS 83.3}
“Very recently I have had direct light from the Lord upon this question, that many Seventh-day Adventists were robbing God in tithes and offerings, and it was plainly revealed to me that Malachi has stated the case as it really is. Then how dare any man even think in his heart that a suggestion to withhold tithes and offerings is from the Lord? Where, my brother, have you stepped out of the path? O get your feet back in the straight path again.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 60. {CS 83.4}
God’s purpose for the tithe and offering is for the church’s use in going forward with the proclamation of the everlasting gospel. Great care is required when receiving and distributing God’s money. God’s money is reserved for a Holy purpose. Through Malachi the prophet, God has reminded us that we are to return His portion into the storehouse. The church is not to rely on the government to take care of God’s children. Christ Jesus is the head of the church, and we as the members, are coworkers in carrying forward the plan of salvation. Keep your feet on the strait path that leads to God’s heavenly kingdom and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We thank You for the privilege and honor of being coworkers with You in the plan of salvation. You are the head and we as the members return onto the church the portion You require of us. We pray that You bless these means to be used for a Holy purpose. May it help the brothers and sisters who are in need and the gospel to go out locally as well as to the far reaches of the world. We thank You for providing for all our needs. We pray that You keep us faithful in our giving and that we will see You soon. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
