Revenue of the Gospel by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 25, 1910

_Revenue of the Gospel_

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE

There are vital principles involved in the plans ordained by the Creator for financing and forwarding the work of the gospel. Many professed Christians fail to understand all that is intended for their own good in the arrangement by which Heaven appeals to humanity to furnish funds for forwarding the gospel. Many times our ministers have been criticized by church-members because in their sermons they frequently speak about tithes and offerings and the needs of the cause. I have known persons to leave the congregation when the minister was speaking plainly about such obligations. Doubtless there are many who have not thus openly demonstrated their feelings, but who come far short of comprehending God’s purposes in this arrangement, and the necessity of our having such responsibilities imposed upon us.

“Voluntary offerings and the tithes constitute the revenue of the gospel.” These terms indicate that the Lord does not intend to depend upon any other plan than that of calling for gifts and sacrifices from his children. A moment’s thought will lead to the conclusion that the Maker of all things is not necessarily dependent upon humanity for anything. The wealth of the world belongs to him. The human effort is not necessary for the accomplishment of God’s work in the earth; yet the plan is thoroughly fixed, and the work is being conducted on the basis that God depends upon the revenue provided through the willingness of his children to contribute of the material things that come into their possession.

Many are failing to live up to their privileges in this arrangement. The following words from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, page 398, are significant: “There are but few who invest in God’s cause in proportion to their means. Many have fastened their money in property which they must sell before they can invest in the cause of God, and thus put it to a practical use. They make this an excuse for doing but little in their Redeemer’s cause. They have as effectually buried their money in the earth as had the man in the parable. They rob God of the tenth, which he claims as his own, and in robbing him they rob themselves of the heavenly treasure.”

Every man, woman, and child is called upon to enter into God’s plan, and conform to these requirements, in order that the transformation that each one requires in order that he may be fitted for the kingdom may be accomplished. There is a tendency to feel that a child of God may pursue a course in this world very similar to that pursued by the non-believer in reference to his property and the use of his talents. “When men of business, farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, etc., become members of the church, they become servants of Christ; and although their talents may be entirely different, their responsibility to advance the cause of God by personal effort, and with their means, is no less than that which rests upon the minister. The woe which will fall upon the minister if he preach not the gospel, will just as surely fall upon the business man, if he, with his different talents, will not be a coworker with Christ in accomplishing the same results.”—Id., Vol. IV, page 469.

A great responsibility rests upon our church officers to have these matters properly presented before the people. We have looked upon the increase that has been made in the matter of tithes and offerings in our conferences with satisfaction, yet I am convinced that we have not as yet met the mind of God in these matters. Many have in no sense reached the experience that God designs they shall have in the matter of stewardship. Such an arrangement was of sufficient importance to lead the Lord to risk delay in his work through unfaithfulness on the part of his children; and this should emphasize to us all how needful it is that we faithfully enter into the Lord’s plan for providing the gospel resources.

Holly, Mich.