Dissatisfied With God?

Written by: John Sernaque

Stewardship

CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940)

Chapter 19—Withheld Tithes Because of Lack of Confidence

The tithe is sacred, reserved by God for Himself. It is to be brought into His treasury to be used to sustain the gospel laborers in their work. For a long time the Lord has been robbed because there are those who do not realize that the tithe is God’s reserved portion. {CS 93.2}

Some have been dissatisfied, and have said, “I will no longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.” But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right.—Testimonies for the Church 9:249. {CS 93.3}

The work of the everlasting gospel must go on. There will be those in position of power or authority within the church who are misappropriating the funds in God’s treasury. They cannot hide from God, as God knows all. It is up to those who realize the mismanagement of funds to speak up that others are not doing right for things to be adjusted and set in order. This is to be done openly and in the right spirit. God will take care of the robbers. God’s money is sacred and reserved for Him. Do not let a few malefactors keep you from returning God’s reserved portion.

Our kind and gracious Father,

We thank You for the privilege of being co laborers with You in the plan of salvation. We pray for those who are mismanaging or misappropriating the funds designated for Your treasury. We pray that they confess and repent of their sins and right their wrongdoing. We thank You for instituting the system of benevolence for our benefit. We pray for our brothers and sisters to remain faithful and steadfast in their giving and not withdraw because of some malefactor that robs from Your treasury. We pray for Your blessing on these means that they may further the work of the gospel. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.