Thoughts on Christian Finances
By D. U. Hale
“ALL that is withheld of that which God claims, the tenth of the increase, is recorded in the books of heaven as robbery against him. Such defraud their Creator; and when this sin of neglect is brought before them, it is not enough for them to change their course and begin to work from that time upon the right principle. . . . Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God, and for base ingratitude, is required.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, page 394. These are solemn words, but they are the counsel of God to us. We are now come to another year. What is our record in the books of heaven? Is the word robber placed against your account, or is it the word faithful? It is not so much that God’s cause cannot go on without our tithe, but the fact that God has laid that plan to give us opportunity to join the Saviour in sacrificing with him in this world that we may join him in the joys of the world to come. “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” This is the principle. If we fail to share with him a proper part of our possessions in this world, we shall fail to share with Christ in his possessions in the world to come. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure5ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7:1, 2. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matt. 6:12. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt. 7:12. These are some of the principles laid down in the Word. If we find fault with and criticize every little action of our brother, we may expect that the Lord will bring up every little sin we have committed. If we overlook our brother’s faults, God will overlook our faults. If we hold something against our brother that we cannot forgive, there is no promise of forgiveness for us in the judgment. Our actions toward our brother are the guide for the Lord in the judgment in dealing with our cases. These same principles are true in regard to our finances. Our future possessions in heaven depend upon how we deal with what the Lord gives us in this world. “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [or riches], who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:11. The Lord includes both tithes and offerings in his sentence of robbery. Can you afford to risk the loss of your home in heaven for a few paltry dollars of tithe in this world? Can you afford to jeopardize your eternal existence for a few paltry dollars that you might squeeze out by skimping your offerings to the Lord’s cause? Every one would say No. But, brethren, are you doing it? “At the close of every year all [the Jews] were required to make solemn oath whether or not they had done according to the command of God.”—Id., Vol. IV, page 77. Study your finances for the past year, and then ask yourself the question, Could I take the oath? We are too near the end to take any chances on these things. May God help us to see our finances as he sees them, and be faithful with them.