Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 13—Founded Upon Eternal Principles
The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam. In complying with God’s requirements, they were to manifest in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them. This was continued through successive generations, and was carried out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. {CS 69.1}
The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night, solitary and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the Lord, “Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.” God does not compel men to give. All that they give must be voluntary. He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling offerings.—Testimonies for the Church 3:393. {CS 69.2}
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have existed from the beginning of time. Beginning with Adam, the Godhead instituted the system of beneficence for the benefit of humanity. Though it is a requirement from God, He does not force anyone to give. However, for those who do, there are blessings- that there shall not be room enough to receive them. From the patriarchs to today, we are to return our voluntary offerings to God’s treasury to continue the work of salvation, that none should perish but have everlasting life. It is an eternal principle until the end of time.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We are so thankful and grateful to You for providing for all our needs in abundance. We thank You for the system of beneficence You instituted for humanities benefit. We pray for Your blessings upon our offerings to You, and may they go to furthering the work of salvation. We pray for an abundance in Your treasury, that none should perish but have everlasting life. We thank You for this and all of Your gifts to us. May we also help those who are in need. May we all remain faithful in our voluntary giving until the end of time. We thank You for all Your blessings, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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