Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CCh - Counsels for the Church (1991)
Chapter 48—Counsels on Stewardship “Of Every Man That Giveth It Willingly”
The Lord has made the diffusion of light and truth in the earth dependent on the voluntary efforts and offerings of those who have been partakers of the heavenly gifts. Comparatively few are called to travel as ministers or missionaries, but multitudes are to co-operate in spreading the truth with their means {CCh 273.6}
Well, says one, the calls keep coming to give to the cause; I am weary of giving. Are you? Then let me ask: Are you weary of receiving from God’s beneficent hand? Not until He ceases to bless you will you cease to be under bonds to return to Him the portion He claims. He blesses you that it may be in your power to bless others. When you are weary of receiving, then you may say: I am weary of so many calls to give. God reserves to Himself a portion of all that we receive. When this is returned to Him, the remaining portion is blessed, but when it is withheld, the whole is sooner or later cursed. God’s claim is first; every other is secondary.499 {CCh 273.7}
God is talking to us. He gives us the rebuke, but while still giving us the encouragement and the blessing. We have the choice of returning God’s portion to Him and have all our means blessed, or, withhold His portion and have the whole cursed. We are living in the time of the end and it is no time to hold back from God. To whom much is given, much is required. These people that are wandering around in a lost condition are our responsibility. We are required by God to bring the Gospel truth to them, that these souls may be saved. It is by our voluntary efforts and offerings, and co-operation in using the means that God has blessed us with that makes spreading His Gospel truth possible. But again, this requires our co-operation. So, we must ask ourselves, are we weary of receiving God’s blessings? Then how can one say that they are weary of giving. Remember, not only will God bless the portion we return to Him, He will also bless the remaining portion as well.
Our Father, God Almighty
We thank You for allowing us to be co-operators with You in Your work of salvation in spreading Your Gospel truth with these means which You have blessed us with. As we are living near the close of time, help us not be merely satisfied with our giving. As we have been partakers of Your heavenly gifts, we pray that You will bless these tithes and offerings that others may be partakers of Your truth and saving grace. By Your grace, we pray that You will also bless the portion that remains that it may also be used to glorify Your name. Save us and forgive us of our sins. May You help us be more like Jesus every day so that we would sin no more. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
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