Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CCh - Counsels for the Church (1991) “Of Every Man That Giveth It Willingly”
The only means which God has ordained to advance His cause is to bless men with property. He gives them the sunshine and the rain; He causes vegetation to flourish; He gives health and ability to acquire means. All our blessings come from His bountiful hand. In turn He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion...in thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings.497 {CCh 273.1}
His people had small possessions and no flattering prospect of adding to them; but an object was before them—to build a tabernacle for God. The Lord had spoken, and they must obey His voice. They withheld nothing. All gave with a willing hand, not a certain amount of their increase, but a large portion of their actual possessions. They devoted it gladly and heartily to the Lord and pleased Him by so doing. Was it not all His? Had He not given them all they possessed? If He called for it, was it not their duty to give back to the Lender His own? {CCh 273.3}
No urging was needed. The people brought even more than was required, and were told to desist, for there was already more than could be appropriated. Again, in building the temple, the call for means met with a hearty response. The people did not give reluctantly. They rejoiced in the prospect of a building being erected for the worship of God and donated more than enough for the purpose. {CCh 273.4}
Wouldn’t it be great if we were able to bring more than was required to the point where we would have to desist because there was more than we could use? Can we Christians today equal the spirit of benevolence illustrated by the Jews back then? Though these Jews had small possessions, the Lord spoke to them and they obeyed His voice. They withheld nothing but gave a large portion of their possessions. Is not God calling us today? Are we to obey God’s voice? Yes, so let us likewise, as the Jews, give back to God with gladness and please Him in so doing.
Our Father, God Almighty,
We thank You once again for allowing us to return unto You that which You require of us. All our blessings come from Your bountiful hand and we show our gratitude by returning to You a portion in donations. May You bless these means and that there may be an abundance to continue the work of salvation You have appointed us to do. You have spoken, and we will obey Your voice. We pray that You continue to bless us so that we may be able to bring even more than is required, and continue to give us health and the ability to acquire means. We thank You and praise You, we love You, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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