Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 2—Our Bountiful Benefactor
Paul’s Argument Against Selfishness
Paul sought to uproot the plant of selfishness from the hearts of his brethren; for the character cannot be complete in Christ when self-love and covetousness are retained. The love of Christ in their hearts would lead them to help their brethren in their necessities. By pointing them to the sacrifice Christ had made in their behalf, he sought to arouse their love. {CS 19.1}
“I speak not by commandment,” he said, “but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” {CS 19.2}
Here is the apostle’s mighty argument. It is not the commandment of Paul, but of the Lord Jesus Christ.... {CS 19.3}
How great was the gift of God to man, and how like our God to make it! With a liberality that can never be exceeded He gave, that He might save the rebellious sons of men and bring them to see His purpose and discern His love. Will you, by your gifts and offerings, show that you think nothing too good for Him who “gave His only-begotten Son”?—The Review and Herald, May 15, 1900. {CS 19.4}
The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. The spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan.—The Review and Herald, October 17, 1882. {CS 19.5}
When we choose not to serve God, by default, we are choosing to serve Satan. When one withholds from the treasury of God, those means are being deposited into the treasury of Satan. Satan is a wily foe, and he does everything he can to get you to forget about God, and focus your attention on self. This is the spirit of Satan. To be self-absorbed, self-serving, and selfish, without God in your life. When these are present in your life, the character of Christ Jesus cannot be completed. The spirit of liberality and benevolence can only exist once you give up self and surrender all to Jesus. The selflessness of Jesus, as He hung on the cross in Calvary, was the greatest gift to mankind. “Will you, by your gifts and offerings, show that you think nothing too good for Him who “gave His only-begotten Son”?”
Our most kind and gracious Father,
We thank You with all our hearts for giving to us the spirit of liberality, which is the spirit of heaven. We pray that You pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us that we may receive Your spirit of liberality from heaven. We are grateful for the sacrifice You made on our behalf, being rich, but
for our sake, became poor that we may be rich. We thank You for blessing us with Your spirit of liberality and benevolence that we may be able to give unto others who are in need and know not of Your love for them. We are sorry and humbly repent of all our sins, pray for forgiveness, and that You cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We pray that You keep us faithful in our giving. Increase our faith, and help our unbelief. May all the Glory be to You, dear Lord. We thank You and praise You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
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