关于什一的特别指示
教会及其使命
基督教会的使命是拯救将亡的罪人，向人显明上帝的爱，藉着那种爱的功效引人归向基督。现代真理应当传遍地上黑暗的角落。这项工作可以从家里开始。{PH166 3.1}
基督徒不应过一种自私的生活，而应被基督的灵充满，与祂协心同工。{PH166 3.2}
上帝的计划十分完美
上帝已经为祂的百姓设立了一个计划，以获得足够的钱财来维持圣工。上帝十分之一制的计划，美在其简单而公平。所有的人都可以凭着信心和勇气来遵守它，因为这个制度来源于上帝，简单又便利，不需要有高深的学问才能理解和实行。{PH166 3.3}
大家都要参与
人人都可以觉得他们能在推进宝贵的救恩工作中分担一分。男女老少都可以作主的司库，传扬最后警告信息给世人的大工，就不会在经济上缺乏了。{PH166 3.4}
如果所有的人都采纳这个制度，库房就会充裕，捐献的人决不会更加贫穷。通过种种投资，他们将与现代真理的事业发生更密切的关系。他们必“为自己积成美好的根基，预备将来，叫他们持定那真正的生命”(提前6:19)。{PH166 4.1}
库存将永不缺乏
如果每一个人都接受定期捐款计划，并充分实行，库存将永不缺乏。捐款将源源而来，有如泉源涌流不息。慈善捐款乃是福音信仰的一部分。{PH166 4.2}
什一制依据原则
什一特别制度所根据的原则，与上帝的律法一样，是不变的。什一制曾是犹太人的一个福气，否则上帝就不会赐给他们了。照样，凡实行什一制直到末时的人，什一制也是他们的一个福气。我们的天父设立定期捐款制度，不是为了给自己积累财富，而是要赐给人大福气。祂看出这种捐款制度正是人类所需要的。{PH166 4.3}
对教会的效果
凡支持上帝的圣工，最有计划且最慷慨的教会，在属灵上也是最兴旺的。{PH166 4.4}
上帝的要求优先
人人都当记得上帝对我们所有的要求，乃为一切其它要求的基础。上帝丰丰富富地赐给我们，然而祂和人所定的合约，乃是自其所有财物中，取出十分之一来归还祂。主施恩将祂的财宝托付祂的管家，但对于十分之一，祂却说：这是我的。上帝既然将祂的产业赐与人，因此人也须按所赐的，忠心将自己所有财物的十分之一，归还上帝。这种独特的安排原是耶稣基督亲自作出的。{PH166 5.1}
永远的后果
这事包含严肃的永远的后果，而且它太神圣了，不可任由人的冲动去处理。对于这事，我们不该以为有自由照自己所选择的去处理。{PH166 5.2}
准备金
为了响应上帝的要求，我们理当按时将当纳的保存起来，分别为圣，以供祂工作之用。除了十分之一以外，上帝也要我们将所有进益的初熟果子献给祂。这些乃是祂所保留的，以便丰足地维持祂在地上的工作。主的仆人们不应因供应不济而受限制，祂的使者也不应在提供生命之道的工作上，感受不便。他们在传讲真理之时，自当供应无缺，以便推进这在适当的时期所必须完成的工作，使之发生最佳的最能救人的感化力。慈善之事必须去作，穷苦受难的人必须救济，也当拨付捐献，维持此举。特别是在新开工的地方，真理的旗帜尚未树立起来，这种工作必须去作。{PH166 5.3}
充足的库存
倘若一切号称属上帝的人，无论老幼都各尽本分，那么仓库就必不致缺乏了。倘若各人都忠心缴纳十分之一，又将自己进项中初熟的果子献给主，则圣工的费用，就必得到充分的供给。{PH166 6.1}
缺乏和原因
可惜上帝的律法没有受到尊重或服从，因此便招致了穷困的压迫。人所享受的一切美福，无不出自上帝的怜悯。祂是万有伟大而仁厚的赐与者。祂的爱在祂为人类所作充分的准备上，已向众人表露无遗了。祂赐给我们宽容的时期，以便塑造会使我们适合进入天庭的品格。祂之所以要我们将所有的为祂保留一部分，并不是因为祂有任何的需要。{PH166 6.2}
来自伊甸园的教训
主在伊甸园中创造了各样的树，可以悦人的眼目，其上的果子好作食物;祂吩咐亚当夏娃，叫他们随意享受祂所厚赐的一切。唯一的例外，便是那棵分别善恶树上的果子，他们不可吃。上帝保留这棵树，特为用来时常提醒人想到祂对万有的所有权。这样，上帝也给他们一个机会，表明他们对祂的信心倚赖和完全顺从祂的要求。上帝在我们身上的要求权也是如此。祂将祂的财物交在人的手中，但却要人忠心将十分之一拨出为祂工作而用，祂教导我们的功课是祂要求将这一部分全然送入祂的仓库。因为这原是属祂的，理应缴纳给祂;这也是分别为圣的，当为神圣的目的而用，就是供应那将救恩信息传至普天下各处的人。上帝保留这一份，为的是使财物能川流不息地归入祂的仓库，以便将真理的光散布给远近各方的人。藉着忠心顺从这种要求，我们就表示承认万有都是属上帝的。难道主无权向我们作这种要求吗?祂因为爱我们，想要救我们脱离死亡，不是曾将祂的独生子赐给我们吗?难道我们还不该将感恩的捐献全然送入祂的仓库，好在地上推进祂的国度吗?既然上帝是我们一切财物的所有者，难道我们还不存心感激，自动地奉献乐意捐和感恩捐，借以表达我们承认祂对我们的身，心，灵，以及财产的主权吗?{PH166 6.3}
为什么财物不丰富?
倘若人人都遵从了上帝的计划，则目前财物就必流入祂的仓库;而所有供给传道人进入新的地区，以及帮助工人与传道人联合在世上各黑暗之处高举真理旗帜的费用，也必丰富有余了。{PH166 7.1}
无可推诿
上帝的物当归给上帝，这原是一种天定的计划;而且这一计划又是如此地简明易晓，因此无论男女，若误解或借故规避上帝托付给他的这种本分与责任，都是无法辞咎的。凡声称看不出自己具有这种责任的人，便是向天上的世界，向教会，同时也向世人显明他们是不愿意理会这简明的要求。他们以为遵从上帝的计划，就必令自己的财产受到亏损。他们因自私的贪婪之心，竟企图将全部资财，连本带利，据为己有，专为个人的利益而用。{PH166 8.1}
上帝将祂的手放在人所有的财产上，说：我是宇宙之主，这些财物也是我的。{PH166 8.2}
可怕的责任
你们所扣留不缴的十分之一，原是我准备供养我的仆人，作为向那仍处在黑暗地区而不明白我律法的人宣讲圣经之用。你们用我所保留的款项来满足你们个人的欲望，便是夺取了我所预先准备要给多人得到的亮光。你们本来有机会可以向我表示忠诚，但你们却没有这样行，你们既已夺取了我，偷盗了我所保留的款项。“咒诅就临到你们身上”(玛3:9)。{PH166 8.3}
另一个机会
主是恒久忍耐又有恩慈的，祂给那些已经犯此大恶的人另一个机会，说：“现在你们要转向我，我就转向你们。”但他们却说：“我们如何才是转向呢”(玛3:7)?他们将财物花在侍奉自我、满足自我的事上，好像他们的财物并非借来的，而是自己固有的一般。他们的良心已经败坏到顽梗不化的程度，以致看不出自己所行的大恶是如何地阻碍了真理事业的进展。{PH166 8.4}
抢夺上帝之物
世人――有限的世人，虽然为自己擅用了上帝所保留的钱财，就是那原应用以宣扬救恩，将救主之爱的佳音传给将亡之人的钱财，又因自私拦阻真理的道路，但他们反而问说：“我们在何事上夺取祢的供物呢?”上帝回答说：“就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物，咒诅就临到你们身上。”全世界都在参加夺取上帝供物的事。人们将上帝借给他们的钱财，都花费在放荡，嬉游，狂欢，宴乐，以及种种无耻纵欲的事上。{PH166 9.1}
审判
但是上帝说：“我必临近你们，施行审判”(玛3:8,9,5)。在那大日，整个的世界要作一次总清算，那时各人要按自己所行的领受判决。{PH166 9.2}
应许之福
上帝亲自保证赐福给凡遵守祂诫命的人说：“你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。万军之耶和华说，我必为你们斥责蝗虫，不容它毁坏你们的土产。你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先，也不掉果子”(玛3:10,11)。{PH166 9.3}
这是指你吗?
人们既有了这些真理和亮光的话语摆在面前，怎能大胆地忽略这一明明白白的本分呢?既然顺从上帝的条件，就必在属世和属灵的事物上蒙祂赐福;而不顺从意味着上帝的咒诅，他们怎么还敢违背上帝呢?撒但原是个破坏者。上帝既不能赐福给那些不肯作祂忠心管家的人;因此祂就只能允许撒但遂行其败坏的工作。我们目击各种各类的灾难以各种程度降在地上，其原因何在?原来是主没有运用祂约束的能力。世人已经漠视了上帝的道;他们活在世上，好像是没有上帝似的。正如挪亚时代地上的居民一般，他们拒绝想到上帝。罪恶盛行到了令人惊慌的程度，地上的庄稼已经成熟可以收割了。“耶和华说：‘你们用话顶撞我。你们还说：我们用什么话顶撞了祢呢?’你们说：事奉上帝是徒然的，遵守上帝所吩咐的，在万军之耶和华面前苦苦斋戒，有什么益处呢?如今我们称狂傲的人为有福，并且行恶的人得建立。他们虽然试探上帝，却得脱离灾难”(玛3:13-15)。W{PH166 10.1}
抱怨的人
这些怨言是那班扣留属上帝之物的人所发的。上帝请他们试试祂，要他们将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，看祂是否倾福与他们。但他们却存心违抗，反倒埋怨上帝;同时还夺取上帝的供物，盗用祂的货财。及至他们恶行昭著，无可掩饰，他们却说：“我竟遭灾蒙难，收成欠佳;而恶人却反倒兴旺;看起来遵守上帝所吩咐的，真不合算。”然而上帝并不想叫人在祂面前苦苦斋戒。那班如此埋怨上帝的人遭灾蒙难，原是自作自受。他们夺取了上帝之物，将原应缴入祂库中的钱作为自私之用，以致祂的圣工受了拦阻。{PH166 11.1}
表现出不忠心
他们未曾实行上帝所定规的计划，在这事上显出了对祂不忠。在上帝使他们兴旺之时，祂要他们将属祂的一份交出来，但他们却摇头否认那是他们当尽的本分。他们闭住自己悟性的眼睛，以便看不出来。他们扣留了主的款项，拦阻了祂所期望必须完成的工作。{PH166 11.2}
失败的原因
在运用祂所托管的财物上，上帝并未受到尊敬。因此，祂就让咒诅临到他们身上，容行毁坏的来毁坏他们的果子，又使各种灾难落在他们的头上。{PH166 11.3}
忠心缴纳十分之一
上帝不但索取属祂自己的十分之一，还告诉我们当如何为祂保留。祂说：“你要以财物和一切初熟的土产尊荣耶和华”(箴3:9)。这里没有叫我们先把钱财用在自己身上，再将剩余的献给上帝。虽然这可算忠心的十分之一，但应当先把属于上帝的部分分别出来。林前16:2，也适用于缴纳十分之一。{PH166 12.1}
严肃的呼吁
有一项工作要在各教会做成。必须发出一道不同的证言。我非常震惊。各教会都有自私和罪恶、不诚实、不信、批评和挑剔。现在是早该睡醒的时候了。你们长久丧失了祈祷精神的人务要祷告，祷告，祷告，要诚恳地祷告说：“慈悲的父啊，求祢怜悯祢那遭受困难的事业，怜恤教会和每一个信徒，除去我们一切的污秽。照着祢的旨意，可以从我们身上拿去一切，但不要使祢的圣灵离开我们。”{PH166 12.2}
教会的需要
众教会应该铭记这个事实，就是他们的本分乃是诚实对待上帝的圣工，不让自己犯最恶劣的抢夺之罪，在十分之一和供物上抢夺上帝。你的职责并不是降低圣工的花费，而是要使人们的心明白“工人得工价是应当的”(路10:7)。{PH166 12.3}
薪水很低吗?
当与上帝圣工中的工人们结算时，不该因库中缺乏钱财而迫使他们接受很少的报酬。许多人已这样被诈取了他们应得的，而这在上帝看来乃是犯罪，就如在其他普通业务中，一个人扣留所雇用之人的工资一样。最差的领导能力表现在允许一个区会静止不动，或没能解决其应该清偿的债务。这种事太多了;只要有这种事，上帝就不喜悦。{PH166 13.1}
库里已经没有钱来供养传道人侍奉上帝了。{PH166 13.2}
为什么要允许传道人们得到一半的报酬，同时又如此不情愿地谈论他们所得到的东西呢?当这种工作在我们的各教会停止时，才会在圣灵的运作下，从人的口中发出活见证。{PH166 13.3}
传道人的工作
审计委员会并没有总是以最谦逊的祈祷来寻求指导，在每一种情况下都像对待基督本人那样，或像他们自己希望受到的对待那样对待基督的仆人。但基督说过：“这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了”(太25:40)。这是一件非常严重的事情，人们竟用他们自己口中的话，还有些人以一种冷酷无情的态度，决定了要给园地里的工人多少钱。我要给你们讲讲我的一段经历。我们发现有必要建一栋房子，并聘请了木匠、油漆工和其他人来做这几部分工作。那个主要的工匠每天挣两美元，只工作八小时。八小时一结束，工具就被放在一边，工作也就停止了。这些人不是根据工作的数量，而是根据工作的时间领工资的。如果一个人不是聪明、敏捷的工人，而是磨磨蹭蹭地作工，那就是雇他之人的损失了。另一个可能是麻利得多的工人，表现出他有智慧并能运用它;他的才能和正确的判断对他来说可能是一笔财富，对他的雇主来说也是一种满足，但他可能只得到相同的工资。在完成一周的工作并付款后，所做的工作量与所收到的金额无关。一个慢吞吞、无益的人从来不认为自己有责任弥补自己缺乏敏锐的思想，反而把报酬作为自己的权利。这些人没有处理人类思想的负担。他们所处理的只是毫无意识的木材和建筑材料。他们可以随心所欲地猛烈、大声、有力地锤击，而这不会伤害没有灵魂的物质。{PH166 13.4}
但上帝的牧人不能这样作工，他们既要为灵魂儆醒，又要为灵魂劳苦，好像将来交账的人。蒙拣选的宣教士在任何情况下都必须外出，把他的家人从一个地方搬到另一个地方，从一个国家搬到另一个国家。这种搬家是昂贵的。为了发挥良好的影响，宣教士的妻子必须穿着整洁的衣服以身作则。她的孩子们必须经过艰苦的教育和训练，因为必须使每件事都在宣教方面有影响。代表基督的工人必须穿得朴素得体，与基督的执事相称。我们各区会的传道人不能说他们有个家;因为他们有时在这个国家有时在那个国家。他们操劳的对象是贫穷的，但基督来传福音给贫穷的人。这就是主的牧人们应当去做的工作。钱被花在从一个地方到另一个地方的旅行上，花在每隔几个月就安家又搬家的事情上，花在购买家庭用品，然后再把它们卖出去，或者冒险运输上。全家的人都得努力，无法解脱，因为他们必须总是显得愉快和清新，以便将阳光带进那些需要帮助之人心里。{PH166 14.1}
有人问我：“你受雇于总会吗?”是的。“你工作多少小时?”小时?上帝的仆人没有小时的记录。我们不按小时计算我们的工作。我们无论得时不得时，都必须准备好对这个年轻男子和那个年轻女子讲话，写信给那些处在危险中的人，进行面谈，这需要最认真、最令人心焦的操劳，为犯错的人和受试探的人祷告并与他们一起祷告。{PH166 15.1}
那些既写作又谈论真理的人加倍操劳。八小时工作制在属上帝的传道人的计划中没有立足之地。他必须注意服务的机会;必须准备好招待来客。他必须保持品格的生命与活力;因为如果他无精打采，他就不能发挥令人愉快的、拯救他人的影响力了。他若身居负责的岗位，就必须准备好参加董事会和理事会的会议，在别人还在睡觉的时候，花上数小时从事令大脑和神经很疲惫的累人工作，与同工们一起出谋划策。在上帝的工人中，谁能像机械师那样计算他的工作时间呢?可是这种操劳却很费心神，并以普通劳动者无法赏识的方式利用身心的每一点能力。“你什么时候有机会摆脱忧虑和责任?”有人问我，我回答说：“在任何时候我都不能放下担子。”{PH166 15.2}
我希望弟兄们以此为真理的描述，而非虚言。那些对服务有适当赏识的人，是上帝召之即来的义勇兵。他不能说我是自己的人;我要用我的时间做我所喜欢的事。凡已把自己的生命献给上帝，作为祂的传道人去作工的人，都不会为自己活。{PH166 16.1}
我的弟兄们愿意考虑主以极其感人的方式带到我心眼面前的些事吗?那些还从未承担过这种工作，以为上帝所拣选的忠心传道人过着安逸日子的人，愿意记住上帝的哨兵一直在执勤吗?他们的操劳不是以小时来衡量的。{PH166 16.2}
需要尊重的权利
审核账目时，自私的人如果口头上或者大笔一挥限制工人的工资，就会使他灰心和消沉。每一个传道人必须有救助补偿金可以使用，以便在各项善举上带头，热情地推动工作。上帝告诉我们“牛在场上踹谷的时候，不可笼住它的嘴”(申25:4)，这是象征工人在上帝监察下工作以推进祂的圣工，把人的思想从属世的事物提高到属天的事物上。上帝爱这些工人，祂也要人尊重他们的权利。{PH166 16.3}
明确责任
我们各区会的会长和其他工人们若将抢夺上帝之罪的性质深印人心，若有献身并负担圣工的真精神，上帝就会使他们的工作成为人们的一个福气，他们的努力也必见到果效。{PH166 17.1}
可怕的失败
传道人在这样与各教会同工上，远远没有尽到本分。在讲道之外，还有重要的工作要做。要是照上帝所计划应该做的做了这工作，在园地中就会有比现在多得多的工人了。要是传道人们尽职教育每个信徒，无论贫富，都照自己的进项奉献，库中就会充实，可以支付应该清偿给工人们的债务;而这会大大推进他们境内的传道工作。上帝已指示我，许多人因自私自利和爱世俗而有永远灭亡的危险;守望者们也是有罪的，因为他们疏忽了自己的职责。这种局面是撒但欢喜看到的。{PH166 17.2}
主在这个问题上所赐给我的亮光乃是，库中用于支持不同园地传道人的资金不可用作它途。若诚实地缴纳十分之一，并且进入库中的金钱得到谨慎的看管，那么传道人就会领到合理的工资。{PH166 18.1}
局面不容称道
审计委员会通常由农民组成。这些人可以穿适合他们工作的粗布衣服。他们养家糊口，但他们并不知道一个传道人进入新园地为将亡的人操劳必然需要多少开销。传道人必须作工和祈祷，必须探访不同的家庭。他经常发现人们穷到没什么吃的，也没有睡觉的地方。他常常不得不给非常贫困的人钱财以满足他们的饥饿和遮盖他们的赤身。通常情况下，必须给予非常贫困的人以满足他们的饥饿和掩盖他们的赤身。那么，审计委员会的一群人笔尖一划就能让一位困苦的传道人失望，这是多么不公平的事啊，他需要他所期待的每一分钱。作工的传道人应当得到供养。可是尽管如此，主持这项工作的人却看到库里没有钱可以支付给传道人。十分之一必须保持神圣。有些传道人的工作得不到任何报酬，因为没有钱付给他们。我看到会这样;因为管理有误。{PH166 18.2}
疏忽
许多州区会的会长没有尽到自己的职责——监督各教会的长老执事在教会里的工作，确保十分之一忠心地缴入库中。需要经常将这条原则提醒那些疏忽对上帝的本分，疏忽将十分之一、礼物和供物献给上帝的人。“人岂可夺取上帝之物呢?”不忠心的管家问道：“我们在何事上夺取祢呢”(玛3:8)?清楚而明确的回答是：“就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物，咒诅就临到你们身上”(玛3:8、9)。请阅读这一整章，看看是不是还有什么话能比这些话说得更清楚更明确。{PH166 18.3}
没有理由
这些话非常明确，没有一个希望明白自己对上帝全部义务的人需要在这事上犯错误。如果人们提出不履行这个义务的借口，乃是因为他们的自私，心里没有对上帝的爱和敬畏。那些声称自己不明白这些清楚而明确之话语的人，在上帝面前是不诚实的。如果他们顺从这些对他们来说意义重大的话，就会领受许多的福气，连天上的窗户都会被打开，倾福于他们。他们说自己不明白上帝旨意的借口，在审判的大日是无济于事的。{PH166 19.1}
责任的呼吁
我们各区会的会长们要尽你们的本分;不要说自己的话，而要清楚地指明“耶和华如此说。”各教会的长老们，要尽你们的本分。挨家作工，使上帝的群羊在这个重大的问题上不玩忽职守，因为它涉及这样的祝福或这样的咒诅。{PH166 19.2}
每一个向我们的各教会传达真理信息的人，都必须藉着警告、教育、责备来尽自己的责任。任何玩忽职守抢夺上帝之物，都会给失职者带来咒诅。{PH166 20.1}
一个呼吁
现在要把疏忽了的十分之一交上来。愿你们在新的一年中诚实地与上帝交往。要让那些扣留了十分之一的人在1896年结束之前把它交上来，好恢复与上帝的正常关系，不再冒被上帝咒诅的风险。{PH166 20.2}
致传道人和长老
主必不以那些没有尽上帝所托职责的人为无罪。他们没有注意保持教会属灵上的健康，尽自己的责任使人不忘本分，以致给上帝的子民带来咒诅。上帝向所有扣留十分之一不缴纳给祂的人宣布了咒诅。{PH166 20.3}
这不是人的一个要求，而是上帝的律例，藉以维持和推进祂在世上的工作。愿上帝帮助我们悔改。{PH166 20.4}
可以有忠心的记录
不向主交纳十分之一和供物的人是无可推诿的。又一年连同它的记录快要进入永恒了。让我们回顾过去的一年，如果我们未曾乐意衷心地向主完全尽自己的责任，就让我们在新的一年中创建忠于上帝的记录吧。{PH166 20.5}
PH166 - Special on Tithing
【The Church, Its Mission】
The mission of the church of Christ is to save perishing sinners. It is to make known the love of God to men, and to win them to Christ by the efficacy of that love. The truth for this time must be carried into the dark corners of the earth, and this work may begin at home.?{PH166 3.1}[1]
The followers of Christ should not live selfish lives; but, imbued with the Spirit of Christ they should work in harmony with him.?{PH166 3.2}[2]
【God’s Plan All Sufficient】
He has given his people a plan for raising sums sufficient to make the enterprise self sustaining. God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is of divine origin. In it are combined simplicity and utility, and it does not require depth of learning to understand and execute it.?{PH166 3.3}[3]
【All to Act a Part】
All may feel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work of salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for God; and there would be no want of means with which to carry forward the great work of sounding the last message of warning to the world.?{PH166 3.4}[4]
The treasury will be full if all adopt this system, and the contributors will be left none the poorer. Through every investment made they will become more wedded to the cause of present truth. They will be “laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life”.?{PH166 4.1}[5]
【No Empty Treasury】
No Empty Treasury. If the plan of systematic benevolence was adopted by every individual and fully carried out, there would be a constant supply in the treasury. The income would flow in like a steady stream constantly supplied by overflowing springs of benevolence. Alms giving is a part of gospel religion.?{PH166 4.2}[6]
【Tithing Founded on Principle】
The special system of tithing was founded upon a principle which is as enduring as the law of God. This system of tithing was a blessing to the Jews, else God would not have given it to them. So also will it be a blessing to those who carry it out to the end of time. Our heavenly Father did not originate the plan of systematic benevolence to enrich himself but to be a great blessing to man. He saw that this system of beneficence was just what man needed.?{PH166 4.3}[7]
【Its Effect on the Church】
Those churches who are the most systematic and liberal in sustaining the cause of God are the most prosperous spiritually.?{PH166 4.4}[8]
【Priority of God’s Claims】
All should remember that God’s claims upon us underlie every other claim. He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which he has made with man is that he is to return to him the tenth of his possessions. God graciously entrusts his stewards with his treasures, but he lays his hand upon the tenth, saying, “This is mine”. Just in proportion as God has given his property to man, so man is to pay a faithful tithe of all his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by?Jesus Christ himself.?{PH166 5.1}[9]
【Eternal Results】
This work involves solemn and eternal results, and it is too sacred to be left to human impulse. We should not feel free to deal with this matter as we may choose.?{PH166 5.2}[10]
【Reserve Fund】
In answer to the claims of God, regular reserves should be set apart as sacred to his work. Besides the tithe God demands the first-fruits of our increase as his. These he has reserved, in order that his work may be amply sustained, and that his servants may not be limited to a meager supply. The Lord’s messenger’s should not be handicapped in their work of holding forth the word of life. As they teach the truth they should have means which they can invest for the advancement of the work which must be done at the right time, in order to have the best and most saving influence. Deeds of mercy must be done; the poor and suffering must be aided. Gifts and offerings should be appropriated for this?purpose. Especially in new fields, where the standard of truth has never yet been uplifted, this work must be done.{PH166 5.3}[11]
【Full Treasury】
If all, both old and young, would do their duty, there would be no dearth in the treasury. If all would pay a faithful tithe, and devote to the Lord the first-fruits of their mercies there would be a full supply of funds for his work.?{PH166 6.1}[12]
【A Want and Why】
But the law of God is not respected or obeyed, and this has brought a pressure of want. All the good that man enjoys comes because of the mercy of God. He is the great and bountiful giver of all. His love is manifest to all in the abundant provision which he has made for man. He has given us probationary time in which to form characters that will fit us for the courts above. And it is not because he needs anything that he asks us to reserve part of our possessions for him.?{PH166 6.2}[13]
【A Lesson From Eden】
The Lord created every tree in Eden pleasant to the eyes and good for food, and he bade Adam and Eve freely enjoy his bounties. But he made one exception. Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they were not to eat. This tree God reserved as a constant reminder of his ownership of all. Thus he gave them an opportunity to demonstrate their faith and trust in him and their perfect obedience to his requirements. So it is with God’s claims?upon us. He places his treasures in the hand of humanity, but requires that one tenth shall be faithfully laid aside for his work. He teaches us the lesson that he requires this portion to be placed in his treasury. It is to be rendered to him as his own; it is sacred, and is to be used for sacred purposes, for the support of those who carry the message of salvation to all parts of the world. He reserves this portion, that means many be flowing into his treasure-house, and that the light of truth may be carried to those who are nigh and those who are afar off. By faithfully obeying this requirement, we prove that we realize that all belongs to God. And has not the Lord a right to demand this much of us? Did he not give us his only begotten Son because he loved us and desired to save us from death? And shall not our gratitude offerings flow into the Lord’s treasury, to be drawn therefrom to advance his kingdom in the earth? God is the owner of all our goods, and shall not gratitude to him prompt us to make free-will offerings and thank offerings thus acknowledging His ownership of soul, body, spirit and property??{PH166 6.3}[14]
【Why Are Means Not Abundant?】
Had God’s plan been followed means would now be flowing into his treasury; and funds to enable ministers to enter new fields, and workers to unite with ministers to lift up the standard of truth in the dark places of the earth would be abundant.?{PH166 7.1}[15] 【No Excuse—Why?】
It is a heaven appointed plan that men should return to the Lord his own; and this is so plainly stated that men and women have no excuse for misunderstanding or evading the duties and responsibility God has laid upon them. Those who claim that they cannot see this to be their duty, reveal to the heavenly universe, to the church, and to the world that they do not want to see this plainly stated requirement. They think that if they followed the Lord’s plan, they would detract from their own possessions. In the covetousness of their selfish souls, they desire to have the whole capital, both principal and interest, that they may use it for their own benefit.?{PH166 8.1}[16]
God lays his hand upon all man’s possessions, saying “I am the owner of the universe, and these goods are mine.?{PH166 8.2}[17]
【Terrible Responsibility】
The tithe you have withheld I reserved for the support of my servants in their work of opening the Scriptures to those who are in the regions of darkness, who do not understand my law. In using my reserve fund to gratify your own desires, you have robbed souls of the light which I made provision they should receive. You have had opportunity to show loyalty to me, but you have not done so, you have robbed me; for you have stolen my reserve fund.” “Ye are cursed with a curse.”?{PH166 8.3}[18]
【One More Chance】
The Lord is long-suffering and gracious, and he gives those who have done this wickedness?another chance. “Return unto me”, he says, “and I will return unto you”. But they say, “Wherein shall we return?” Their means have been made to flow in channels of self-service and self-glorification, as if their goods were their own, and not lent treasures. Their perverted consciences have become so hard and unimpressible that they do not realize what great wickedness they have done in so hedging up the way that the cause of truth could not advance. Man, finite man, through using for himself the talents which God has reserved to publish salvation, to send the glad news of a Saviour’s love to perishing souls, and hedging up the way by his selfishness, inquires,?{PH166 8.4}[19]
【Robbing God】
“Wherein have we robbed Thee?” God answers, “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” The whole world is engaged in robbing God. With the money he has lent them they indulge in dissipation, in amusements, reveling, feasting, and disgraceful indulgences.?{PH166 9.1}[20]
【To Judgment】
But God says, “I will come near you to judgment.” The whole world will have an account to settle in that great day when every one shall receive sentence according to his deeds.?{PH166 9.2}[21]
【A Blessing Pledged】
God pledges himself to bless those who will obey his commandments, “Bring ye all the?tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts.”?{PH166 9.3}[22]
【Does This Mean You?】
With these words of light and truth before them, how dare men neglect so plain a duty? How dare they disobey God when obedience to his requirements mean prosperity in temporal and spiritual things, and disobedience means the curse of God? Satan is the destroyer. God cannot bless those who refuse to be faithful stewards. All he can do is to permit Satan to do his destroying work. We see calamities of every shape and in every degree coming upon the earth, and why?—The Lord’s restraining power is not exercised. The world has disregarded the word of God. They live as though there were no God. Like the inhabitants of the Noachic world, they refuse to have any thought of God. Wickedness prevails to an alarming extent, and the earth is ripe for the harvest. “Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, what have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? And now we call the proud happy;?yea they that work wickedly are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.”?{PH166 10.1}[23]
【Who Complain】
Those who withhold from God his own make these complaints: The Lord asks them to prove him by bringing their tithe into his storehouse, and to see whether he will not pour them out a blessing. But they cherish rebellion in their hearts, and complain of God, and at the same time they rob him, and embezzle his goods. When their sin is presented to them, they say, “I have had adversity: my crops have been poor; but the wicked are prospered. It does not pay to keep the ordinance of the Lord.” But God does not want any to walk mournfully before him. Those who thus complain of God have brought their adversity on themselves. They have robbed God, and his cause has been hindered because the money which should have flowed into his treasury was used for selfish purposes.?{PH166 11.1}[24]
【Disloyalty Shown】
They showed their disloyalty to God by failing to carry out his prescribed plan. When God prospered them, and they were asked to give him his portion, they shook their heads, and could not see that it was their duty. They closed the eyes of their understanding, that they might not see it. They withheld the Lord’s money, and hindered the work which he designed should be done.?{PH166 11.2}[25]
【Cause of Failure】
God was not honored by the use of his entrusted goods. Therefore he let the curse fall?upon them, permitting the spoiler to destroy their fruits and to bring calamities upon them.?{PH166 11.3}[26]
【Honest Tithing】
Not only does the Lord claim the tithe as his own, but he tells us?how?it should be reserved for him. He says, “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the?first fruits?of thine increase.” This does not teach that we are to spend our means on ourselves, and bring to the Lord the remnant,?even though it should be otherwise an honest tithe. Let God’s portion be first set apart.?1 Corinthians 16:2, applies also to tithing.?{PH166 12.1}[27]
【Solemn Appeal】
There is a work to be done in the churches. A different testimony must go forth. I am terribly alarmed. Throughout the churches there are selfishness and sin, dishonesty, unbelief, criticism and fault-finding. It is high time to awake out of sleep. You who have long lost the spirit of prayer, pray, pray earnestly. Pity thy suffering cause; pity the church, pity the individual believers, thou Father of mercies. Take from us everything that defiles, deny us what thou wilt; but take not from us thy Holy Spirit.?{PH166 12.2}[28]
【The Church’s Need】
The Church’s Need. The churches need to be impressed with the fact that it is their duty to deal honestly with the cause of God, not allowing the guilt of the worst kind of robbery to rest upon them, that of robbing God in tithes and offerings. Instead of bringing the work down to a low figure it?is your duty to bring the minds of the people to understand that “the laborer is worthy of his hire”.?{PH166 12.3}[29]
【Shall it be Small Pay?】
When settlements are made with the laborers in his cause, they should not be forced to accept small remuneration because there is a lack of means in the treasury. Many have been defrauded of their just dues in this way, and it is just as criminal in the sight of God, as for one to keep back the wages of those who are employed in any other regular business. It is the worst kind of generalship to allow a conference to stand still or to fail to settle its honest debts. There is a great deal of this done: and whenever it is done, God is displeased.?{PH166 13.1}[30]
There has not been money in the treasury to supply ministers for the service of God.?{PH166 13.2}[31]
Why should ministers be half paid, and at the same time talk so begrudgingly of that which they do receive? When this work shall cease in our churches, a living testimony will go forth from human lips, under the operation of the Holy Ghost.?{PH166 13.3}[32]
【Ministers’ Work】
The Auditing Committee has not always tried with most humble prayer for guidance, to act in every case toward the servants of Jesus Christ as they would to the person of Christ, or as they themselves would wish to be treated. But, said Christ, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” It is a very serious matter that men, by the word of their own?mouth, and some in a hardened sang-froid manner, have decided what means shall go to the workers in the field. I will give you a chapter in my experience. We have found it necessary to build a home, and have hired carpenters, painters and others to do the several portions of the work. The master workman has two dollars per day, working eight hours only. As soon as the eight hours are over, the tools are laid aside, and work ceases. These men do not receive according to the amount of work done, but according to the hours worked. If a man is not an apt, quick, workman, but loiters over his work, that is the loss of the one who pays him. Another may be a much quicker workman, showing that he has intellect and can use it; his aptitude and correct judgment may be a treasure to him and a satisfaction to his employer, but he may receive only the same wages. After the week’s work is done, and payment is made, the amount of work done has nothing to do with the sum received. A slow un-profitable man never thinks it his duty to make up for his want of sharp thought, but receives his pay as his right. These men have not the burden of dealing with human minds. Senseless timber and building materials are all they are dealing with. They can hammer just as hard and loud and energetically as they please, and it hurts not the soulless material.?{PH166 13.4}[33]
But God’s shepherds who are to watch as well as labor for souls, as they that must give an account, cannot work in this way. The chosen missionary must go forth under all circumstances, moving his family from place to place,?and from country to country. This moving is expensive. In order to exert a good influence, the wife of a missionary must set a proper example in neat and tidy dress. Her children must be educated and trained with much painstaking effort, for everything must be made to tell in missionary lines. The laborer who represents Christ must dress plainly and yet properly, as becoming a minister of Christ. The ministers of our Conferences can not say they have a home; for they are sometimes in this country and sometimes in that. The people for whom they labor are poor, but Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor. This is the work the Lord’s shepherds are to do. Money is consumed in traveling from place to place, in settling and unsettling every few months, in buying household goods and selling them again or venturing transportation. The entire family have no release from their efforts; for they must always appear cheerful and fresh, that they may bring sunshine into the minds of those who need help.?{PH166 14.1}[34]
The question has been asked me: “Are you employed by the General Conference?” I am. “How many hours do you give?” Hours? God’s servants keep no record of hours. We think not of counting our labor by hours. We must be ready in season and out of season to speak to this young man and that young woman, to write letters to those in peril, and to hold interviews requiring the most earnest, anxious labor, praying for, and with the erring and the tempted.?{PH166 15.1}[35]
Those who write, as well as talk the truth, have double labor. The eight hour system?finds no place in the program of the minister of God. He must watch his chance to minister; he must be ready to entertain visitors. He must keep up life and energy of character; for he cannot exert a pleasing, saving influence if he is languid. If he occupies responsible positions, he must be prepared to attend board and council meetings, spending hours of wearisome brain and nerve taxing labor, while others are asleep, in devising and planning with his co-laborers. Who among God’s workers counts his hours of labor as do mechanics? Yet this kind of labor taxes the mind, and draws upon every fiber of the being in such a way as the common laborer cannot appreciate. “When do you find opportunity to throw off care and responsibility?” I am asked; and I answer, “At no period of time can I lay down the burden.”?{PH166 15.2}[36]
I wish my brethren to take this as a representation of the truth, and no fiction. Those who have a due appreciation of service, are God’s minute men. He cannot say I am my own; I will do what I please with my time. No one who has given his life to God to work as his minister, lives unto himself.?{PH166 16.1}[37]
Will my brethren consider these things which the Lord has brought before my mind, in a most impressive manner? Will those who have never carried the burden of such work, and who suppose the chosen and faithful ministers of God have an easy time, bear in mind that the sentinels of God are on duty constantly? Their labor is not measured by hours.?{PH166 16.2}[38]
【Rights to be Respected】
When their accounts are audited, if selfish men shall, with voice or stroke of pen, limit?the worker in his wages, they discourage and depress him. Every minister must have a salvage to work upon, that he may have something with which to lead out in good enterprises, pushing the work with zeal. He tells us, “thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.” This is a figure of those who work under the eye of God to advance his cause in lifting the minds of men from the contemplation of earthly things to heaven. These God loves, and he would have men respect their rights.?{PH166 16.3}[39]
【Duty Clear】
If the presidents and other laborers in our Conferences impress upon the minds of the people the character of the crime of robbing God, and if they have a true spirit of devotion and a burden of the work, God will make their labors a blessing to the people, and fruit will be seen as the result of their efforts.?{PH166 17.1}[40]
【Terrible Failure】
Ministers have failed greatly in their duty to so labor with the churches. There is an important work to be done aside from preaching. Had this work been done as God designed it should be, there would have been many more laborers in the field than now are. And had the ministers done their duty in educating every member whether rich or poor, to give as God has prospered him, there would be a full treasury from which to pay the honest debts to the workers; and this would greatly advance missionary work in all their borders. God has shown us that many souls are in danger of eternal ruin, through selfishness and worldliness; and the watchmen are guilty, for they have neglected their duty. This is a state of things Satan exults to see.?{PH166 17.2}[41]
The light which the Lord has given me on this subject, is that the means in the treasury for the support of the ministers in the different fields is not to be used for any other purpose. If an honest tithe were paid, and the money coming into the treasury was carefully guarded, the ministers would receive a just wage.?{PH166 18.1}[42]
【Situation Not Appreciated】
The auditing committee has often been composed of men who were farmers. These could dress in coarse clothing appropriate for the work they were doing. They raised all they needed as a family to subsist upon, and they knew not what the outlay of a minister must necessarily be when he goes out into a new field to labor for perishing souls. The minister must labor and pray. He must visit the different families. Frequently he finds the people so poor that they have little to eat, and no room in which to sleep. Often means have to be given to the very needy to supply their hunger and cover their nakedness. Then what injustice to have a company of men as auditing committee who by a dash of the pen will disappoint a distressed minister who is in need of every cent that he has been led to expect. The minister who labors should be sustained. But notwithstanding this, those who are officiating in this work see that there is not money in the treasury to pay the minister. The tithe money must be kept sacred. There are ministers who receive nothing for their labors; for there was no money to pay them. This I saw would be; for the management is wrong.?{PH166 18.2}[43]
【A Neglect】
Many presidents of State conferences do not attend to that which is their work,—to see that the elders and deacons of the churches do their work in the churches by seeing that a faithful tithe is brought into the treasury. This principle?needs to be often brought before the men who are lax in their duty to God, and who are negligent and careless in bringing in their tithes, gifts, and offerings to God. “Will a man rob me?” “Wherein have we robbed thee?”, is the question asked by the unfaithful stewards. The answer comes plain and positive, “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Please read this whole chapter and see if words could be spoken that would be more plain and positive than these.?{PH166 18.3}[44]
【No Excuse】
They are so positive that no one who desires to understand his whole duty to God needs to make any mistake in the matter. If men offer any excuse as to why they do not perform this duty, it is because they are selfish, and have not the love and fear of God in their hearts. Those who plead that they cannot understand this plain and decisive statement—which if they are obedient, means so much to them, in blessings which will be received, when even the windows of heaven will be opened, and blessings poured out to overflowing—are not honest before God. Their excuse that they do not know the will of God, will be of no avail for them in the great day of judgment.?{PH166 19.1}[45]
【A Call to Duty】
Presidents of our conferences, do your duty; Speak not your words, but a plain thus saith the Lord.?Elders of churches do your duty.?Labor from home to home?that the flock of God shall not be remiss in this great matter, which involves such a blessing or such a curse.?{PH166 19.2}[46] Every man who bears the message of truth to our churches?must do his duty by warning, educating, rebuking. Any neglect of duty which is a robbery toward God, means a curse upon the delinquent.?{PH166 20.1}[47]
【An Appeal】
Let the neglected tithes be now brought in. Let the new year (shall we not say quarter?) open upon you as men honest in their deal with God. Let those who have withheld their tithes send them in before the year 1896 shall close, that they may be right with God, and never, never again run any risk of being cursed by God.?{PH166 20.2}[48]
【A Word to Ministers and Elders】
The Lord will not hold guiltless those who are deficient in doing the work that he requires at their hands,—in seeing that the church is kept wholesome and healthy spiritually, and doing all their duty; in allowing no neglect which will bring the threatened curse upon his people. A curse is pronounced upon all who withhold the tithe from God.?{PH166 20.3}[49]
This is not a request of man; it is one of God’s ordinances, whereby his work may be sustained and carried on in the world. God help us to repent.?{PH166 20.4}[50]
【Faithful Record Possible】
No one can excuse himself from paying his tithes and offerings to the Lord. Another year has nearly passed into eternity, with its burden of record. Let us look over the past year, and if we have not done our full duty willingly, heartily unto the Lord, let us come up to the new year in making a faithful record to our God.?{PH166 20.5}[51]
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