Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 9- The Voice of Consecration
God lays His hand upon the tithe, as well as upon gifts and offerings, and says, “That is Mine. When I entrusted you with My goods, I specified that a portion should be your own, to supply your necessities, and a portion should be returned to Me.” {CS 46.3}
As you gathered in your harvest, storing barns and granary for your own comfort, did you return to God a faithful tithe? Have you presented to Him your gifts and offerings, that His cause may not suffer? Have you looked after the fatherless and the widow? This is a branch of home missionary work that should by no means be neglected. {CS 46.4}
Are there not around you poor and suffering ones who need warmer clothing, better food, and, above everything else, that which will be most highly prized, — sympathy and love? What have you done for the widows, the distressed, who call upon you to aid them in educating and training their children or grandchildren? How have you treated these cases? Have you tried to help the orphans? When anxious, soul-burdened parents or grandparents have asked you, and even begged you, to consider their case, have you turned them away with unfeeling, unsympathetic refusals? If so, may the Lord pity your future; for “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Can we be surprised that the Lord withholds His blessing, when His gifts are selfishly perverted and misapplied? {CS 46.5}
It is such a shame, and a sin against God, that some professed Christians will pass by a homeless person without even a second look. Their silent message is “I got mine, now you get yours.” With so many people in need around the world, but also right at the doorstep of those who have all their cherished comforts, yet neglected and left behind. Not only can we bring them the physical food, but also the spiritual food that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We can help quench their thirst with a bottle of water, but also share the Living Water that they may never thirst. We can give them clothes to wear, and help them put on Christ’s robe of righteousness. We can give them the Blessed Hope Christ Jesus loves them and will return for them as He has promised. Remember, for “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Our kind and gracious Father,
We thank You for giving us this privilege to be of service to You as co laborers in the plan of salvation. We thank You for providing for all of our needs and for allowing us to share with those who are lacking. We pray for Your help and blessings in our home missionary work. We cannot do this by our own strength, so we pray for Your strength and power to go out to meet those in need right where they are. Please continue to help us that we may impart our blessings
unto others. Anoint our heads with oil, and may our cup runneth over. We thank You for this opportunity and honor, and it is in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
