Many presidents of State conferences do not attend to that which is their work.—to see that the elders and deacons of the churches do their work in the churches, by seeing that a faithful tithe is brought into the treasury. Malachi has specified that the condition of prosperity depends upon bringing to God’s treasury that which is his own. This principle needs to be often brought before the men who are lax in their duty to God, and who are neglectful and careless in bringing in their tithes, gifts, and offerings to God. “Will a man rob God?”“Wherein have we robbed thee?” is the question asked by the unfaithful stewards. The answer comes plain and positive. “In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Please read this whole chapter, and see if words could be spoken that would be more plain and positive than these. They are so positive that no one who desires to understand his whole 21duty to God, needs to make any mistake in the matter. If men offer any excuse as to why they do not perform this duty, it is because they are selfish, and have not the love and fear of God in their hearts.
(SpTA07 20.1)
No Excuse for Neglect in Payment of Tithes
The Lord has always required this response to his arrangements in carrying forward his work in our world. He has never changed his own devised plan. He lays claim to all as his own, and of that entrusted to man, he claims his portion. “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts.”
(SpTA07 21.1)
Those who plead that they cannot understand this plain and decisive statement,—which if they are obedient, means so much to them, in blessings which will be received, when even the windows of heaven will be opened, and blessings poured out to overflowing,—are not honest before God. Their excuse that they did not know the will of God, will be of no avail for them in the great day of judgment.
(SpTA07 21.2)
All to do Their Duty
Let the neglected tithes be now brought in. Let the new year open upon you as men honest in their deal with God. Let those that have withheld their tithes send them in before the year 1896 shall close, that they may be right with God, and never, never again run any risk of being cursed of God. Presidents of our conferences, do your 22
(SpTA07 21.3)
duty; speak not your words, but a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Elders of churches, do your duty. Labor from home to home, that the flock of God shall not be remiss in this great matter, which involves such a blessing or such a curse.
(SpTA07 22.3)
Let all who fear God come up to the help of the Lord, and show themselves faithful stewards. The truth must go to all parts of the world. I have been shown that many in our churches are robbing God in tithes and offerings. God will execute upon them just that which he has declared. To the obedient, he will give rich blessings; to the transgressors, a curse. Every man who bears the message of truth to our churches, must do his duty by warning, educating, rebuking. Any neglect of duty which is a robbery toward God, means a curse upon the delinquent.
(SpTA07 22.1)
The Lord will not hold guiltless those who are deficient in doing the work that he requires at their hands,—in seeing that the church is kept wholesome and healthy spiritually, and doing all their duty; in allowing no neglect which will bring the threatened curse upon his people. A curse is pronounced upon all who withhold their tithe from God. He says, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.”
(SpTA07 22.2)
This is not a request of man; it is one of God’s ordinances, whereby his work may be sustained and carried on in the world. God help us to repent. “Return unto me,” he says, “and I will return unto you.” Men who have a desire to do 23their duty, have it laid down in clear lines in this chapter. No one can excuse himself from paying his tithes and offerings to the Lord.
(SpTA07 22.3)
The Lord bestows his gifts abundantly upon us. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Every blessing we have comes through Jesus Christ. Then shall we not arouse, and do our duty toward God, upon whom we are dependent for life and health, for his blessing upon our crops and fields, our cattle, our herds, and our vineyards? We are assured if we give to the Lord’s treasury, we shall receive of him again; but if we withhold of our means, he will withhold his blessing from us, and send a curse upon the unfaithful.
(SpTA07 23.1)
God has said, “Prove me now herewith, ... if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” What a wonderful presentation in promised blessings is he giving us! Who can venture to rob God in tithes and offerings with such a promise as this! “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.”
(SpTA07 23.2)
Another year has nearly passed into eternity, with its burden of record. Let us look over the past year, and if we have not done our full duty willingly, heartily unto the Lord, let us come up to the new year in making a faithful record to our God.
(SpTA07 23.3)