Chapter 20—The Response of an Aroused Conscience
VC
A decided advancement in spirituality, piety, charity, and activity, has been made as the result of the special meetings in the—church. Discourses were preached on the sin of robbing God in tithes and offerings....
(CS 95.1)
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Many confessed that they had not paid tithes for years; and we know that God cannot bless those who are robbing Him, and that the church must suffer in consequence of the sins of its individual members. There are a large number of names on our church books; and if all would be prompt in paying an honest tithe to the Lord, which is His portion, the treasury would not lack for means....
(CS 95.2)
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As the sin of robbing God was presented, the people received clearer views of their duty and privilege in this matter. One brother said that for two years he had not paid his tithes, and he was in despair; but as he confessed his sin, he began to gather hope. “What shall I do?” he asked.
(CS 95.3)
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I said, “Give your note to the treasurer of the church; that will be businesslike.”
(CS 95.4)
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He thought that was a rather strange request; but he sat down, and began to write, “For value received, I promise to pay—” He looked up, as if to say, Is that the proper form in which to write out a note to the Lord?
(CS 95.5)
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“Yes,” he continued, “for value received. Have I not been receiving the blessings of God day after day? Have not the angels guarded me? Has not the Lord blessed me with all spiritual and temporal blessings? For value received, I promise to pay the sum of $571.50 to the church treasurer.” After doing all he could do on his part, he was a happy man. In a few days he took up his note, and paid his tithe into the treasury. He had also made a Christmas donation of $125.
(CS 95.6)
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Another brother gave a note for $1,000, expecting to meet it in a few weeks; and another gave a note for $300.—The Review and Herald, February 19, 1889.
(CS 96.1)
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Many have long neglected to deal honestly with their Maker. Failing to lay aside the tithe weekly, they have let it accumulate, until it amounts to a large sum, and now they are very reluctant to make the matter right. This back tithe they keep, using it as their own. But it is God’s property, which they have refused to put into His treasury.—The Review and Herald, December 23, 1890.
(CS 96.2)
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The Careless and Indifferent to Redeem Their Honor
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Let those who have become careless and indifferent, and are withholding their tithes and offerings, remember that they are blocking the way, so that the truth cannot go forth to the regions beyond. I am bidden to call upon the people of God to redeem their honor by rendering to God a faithful tithe.—Manuscript 44, 1905.
(CS 96.3)
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Friday morning I spoke on the subject of tithing. This subject has not been presented to the churches as it should have been, and the neglect, together with financial depression, has caused a marked falling off in the tithes the past year. At this conference the subject has been carefully canvassed in meeting after meeting....
(CS 96.4)
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One brother, a noble-looking man, a delegate from Tasmania, came to me and said, “I am glad I heard you speak today upon tithing. I did not know it was so important a matter. I dare not neglect it longer.” He is now figuring up the amount of his tithe for the last twenty years, and says he shall pay it all as fast as he is able, for he cannot have robbery of God registered in the books of heaven meet him in the judgment.
(CS 96.5)
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VC