April 12, 1905

Evangelical. The Church and its Mission

No. 6

EGW

Situation Not Appreciated

The auditing committee has often been composed of men who were farmers. These could dress in coarse clothing appropriate for the work they were doing. They raised all they needed as a family to subsist upon, and they knew not what the outlay of a minister must necessarily be when he goes out into a new field to labor for perishing souls. The minister must labor and pray. He must visit the different families. Frequently he finds the people so poor that they have little to eat, and no room in which to sleep. Often means have to be given to the very needy to supply their hunger and cover their nakedness. Then what injustice to have a company of men as auditing committee who by a dash of the pen will disappoint a distressed minister who is in need of every cent that he has been led to expect. The minister who labors should be sustained. But notwithstanding this, those who are officiating in this work see that there is not money in the treasury to pay the minister. The tithe money must be kept sacred. There are ministers who receive nothing for their labors; for there was no money to pay them. This I saw would be; for the management is wrong.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 1

A Neglect

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. This principle needs to be often brought before the men who are lax in their duty to God, and who are negligent and careless in bringing in their tithes, gifts, and offerings to God. “Will a man rob me?” “Wherein have we robbed thee?”—is a 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,” Please read this whole chapter and see if words could be spoken that would be more plain and positive than these.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 2

No Excuse

They are so positive that no one who desires to understand his whole duty 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. 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 do not know the will of God, will be of no avail for them in the great day of judgment.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 3

A Call to Duty

Presidents of our conferences, do your 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.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 4

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.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 5

A Word to Ministers and Elders

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 the tithe from God.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 6

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.Banner April 12, 1905, par. 7

Mrs. E. G. White.

(Concluded.)