Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CCh - Counsels for the Church (1991) Chapter 48—Counsels on Stewardship
The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites. {CCh 281.4}
Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down. {CCh 281.5}
It is unfortunate that too many a Christian only looks out for their own welfare and not that of the less fortunate, the needy, the hungry, the poor, the widows, the fatherless, and the homeless. So much so that they store up goods in excess for their own benefit, while others are without. This is not what Christ Jesus did and not what He expects you to do. All this will be of no use in the time of trouble. God asks us to place all our faith and trust in Him, and He will provide, as He did for Elijah and the Israelites. We serve a mighty God. He has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Will you trust in Jesus? I pray that you do.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We thank You for providing for all of our needs in abundance. It is our prayer that You will continue to do so, even in the time of trouble. Help us not to be selfish and hoarders of all the blessings You continue to shower upon us. Give us the opportunity and the strength to do as You did and go out in our mission field to do Your work. We pray that You continue to bless us with the ability to acquire means to continue the work of salvation You have appointed for us to do. We are sorry and repent of our sins and ask for the forgiveness of all our sins. We thank You and praise You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
