Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 14— For Rich and Poor
In the Bible system of tithes and offerings the amounts paid by different persons will of course vary greatly, since they are proportioned to the income. With the poor man, the tithe will be a comparatively small sum, and his gifts will be according to his ability. But it is not the greatness of the gift that makes the offering acceptable to God; it is the purpose of the heart, the spirit of gratitude and love that it expresses. Let not the poor feel that their gifts are so small as to be unworthy of notice. Let them give according to their ability, feeling that they are servants of God, and that He will accept their offering. {CS 73.3}
The one to whom God has entrusted a large capital will not, if he loves and fears God, find it a burden to meet the demands of an enlightened conscience according to the claims of God. The rich will be tempted to indulge in selfishness and avarice, and to withhold from the Lord His own. But he who is true to God will, when tempted, answer to Satan, “It is written,” “Will a man rob God?” “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”—The Review and Herald, May 16, 1893. {CS 74.1}
God values the offerings of the poor as much as of the rich. If all give according to their income, God’s treasury will be replenished to continue the work of salvation. However, God looks at the heart. He will place more value on the offerings of those who make a sacrifice of their possessions as opposed to those who merely give out of their abundance. Like the poor widow who gave her last two mites. Those who are rich are able to give more than what God calls for. You cannot take it with you, as the saying goes. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
Our kind and gracious Father,
We thank You for all the blessings You continually bestow upon us. It is our privilege to be co laborers with You in carrying out the plan of salvation. We pray that You accept our offerings and bless them to continue the work at hand. We pray that those who are able make a sacrifice out of their abundance and give more than You expect out of gratitude and love. We pray that You increase the ability of all Your children to return more than You require. May Your treasury allow the everlasting gospel to reach the four corners of the world so that we may see You soon. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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