CS 317
(Counsels on Stewardship 317)
“Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God; let all that be round about Him bring presents unto Him that ought to be feared.” Psalm 76:11. (CS 317.1) MC VC
“But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing; for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen.” Malachi 1:12-14. (CS 317.2) MC VC
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5.—Testimonies for the Church 4:470-472. (CS 317.3) MC VC
Conditions for Receiving God’s Promises VC
There have been special occasions at large gatherings, when appeals have been made to the professed followers of Christ, for the cause of God, and hearts have been stirred, and many have made pledges to sustain the work. But many of those who pledged have not dealt honorably with God. They have been negligent, and have failed to redeem their pledges to their Maker. But if man is so indifferent about his promises to God, can he expect that the Lord will fulfill a promise made on conditions that have never been kept? It is best to deal honestly with your fellow men and with God.—The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889. (CS 317.4) MC VC