The Gift God Accepts, July 10

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38.OHC 197.1

Let us not complain because we are often asked to give for the upbuilding of the cause. What is it that makes these frequent calls a necessity? Is it not the rapid increase of missionary enterprises? Shall we, by refusing to give, retard the growth of these enterprises? ...OHC 197.2

All who possess the Spirit of Christ will have a tender, sympathetic heart, and an open, generous hand.... To us has been entrusted the work of proclaiming the last message of mercy to be given to our world—the message that is to prepare a people to stand in the day of God. Do we realize our accountability? Are we acting our part in the proclamation of the message? The present time is burdened with eternal interests. We are to unfurl the standard of truth before a world perishing in error.^{18The Review and Herald, April 18, 1912.}OHC 197.3

The more we bring to God's treasure house, the more we shall have to bring; for He will open ways before us, increasing our substance. I have found this to be true in my own experience. As God multiplies His gifts to us, we must not grow selfish, and withhold from Him our tithes and offerings. We each have a part to act in the work of salvation.^{19The Review and Herald, March 26, 1889.}OHC 197.4

Gifts and offerings will not purchase salvation for any of us. The religion of the Bible is that development of our moral natures in which the soul holds converse with God, loves that which God loves, and hates that which God hates. God will not accept your offerings if you withhold yourself. He asks not only for that which is His own in the means entrusted to you, but for His own property in your body, soul, and spirit, purchased at the infinite price of the blood of the Son of God.^{20The Review and Herald, October 31, 1878.}OHC 197.5

It is the humble, grateful, reverential heart that makes the offering as a sweet-smelling savor, acceptable to God.^{21SDA Bible Commentary 6:1118.}OHC 197.6