Lesson 8 · August 19, 1905
The Tithe Reserved for the Support of Christ's Ambassadors
Questions.
- 1.By what means has it pleased God to save those who believe? .
- 2.What high position do Christ's ministers occupy? .
- 3.Name some other titles given to these ambassadors. ; ; .
- 4.How extensive is their commission? By whom is it given? .
- 5.How much time and strength should these messengers of Christ give to their appointed work? .
- 6.What account will the minister be called to render to God for the results of his time and labor? .
- 7.To whom should these ambassadors of Christ look for support? ; . Note 1.
- 8.What is the result when the church fails to return to Christ the tithe? ; . Note 2.
- 9.In what way can we co-operate in answering our prayers for many more laborers to enter the great harvest-field? ; .
- 10.With what is the minister of God to feed the people? ; .
- 11.Will there come a time when it will be too late to use our means to give the bread of life to the people? ; . Note 3.
- 12.What use will men have for their hoarded gold and silver in that day? ; .
Notes
1. The tithing system was not given to man for the prime object of the support of the ministry, but above this there are moral obligations growing out of man's relations to Christ as Creator and Redeemer, which involve principles which our first parents disregarded in Eden, and on which the loyalty of all other worlds is being tested the same as the inhabitants of this world.
Who shall not say "Amen" to the words of the apostle, "Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel"?
2. "The work of God which should be going forward with tenfold its present strength and efficiency is kept back, like a spring season held by the chilling blast of winter, because some of God's professed people are appropriating to themselves the means that should be dedicated to His service."—Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, Oct. 13, 1896. It is not only laborers that are kept out of the ministry because of this sin, but the church itself is paralyzed by her selfish indifference to the claims of Christ.
3. "I saw that if any held on to their property, and did not inquire duty of the Lord, He would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: 'The cause was languishing, God's people were starving for the truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. O, that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven.' I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but it decreased, and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time, but if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to sell, and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to keep theirs until a time of need, then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell."—.
Bible texts in this lesson
1 Corinthians 1:21 · 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 · Malachi 2:7 · 2 Corinthians 8:22 · 2 Corinthians 8:23 · Ephesians 3:7 · Ephesians 3:8 · Matthew 28:18-20 · Acts 6:2-4 · Hebrews 13:17 · Numbers 18:21 · 1 Corinthians 9:13 · 1 Corinthians 9:14 · 2 Chronicles 31:4 · 2 Chronicles 31:5 · Nehemiah 13:10-12 · Luke 10:2 · Malachi 3:10 · Acts 20:28 · Matthew 24:45 · Jeremiah 8:20-22 · Amos 8:11 · Amos 8:12 · Zephaniah 1:18 · Isaiah 2:19-21
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