A Test of Loyalty by W. G. KNEELAND

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 17, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 38.

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A Test of Loyalty

By W. G. KNEELAND

W. G. KNEELAND

1. WHAT PORTION OF TIME HAS GOD RESERVED TO HIMSELF?

Ans. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

2. HOW IS THE SABBATH DAY TO BE OBSERVED?

Ans. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

3. WHAT PORTION OF OUR EARNINGS HAS GOD RESERVED FOR HIMSELF?

Ans. “And all of the tithe of the Lord, whether of the seed of the land, or the fruit of the tree, it is the Lord’s.” Lev. 27: 30.

4. HOW IS THE TITHE TO BE REGARDED?

Ans. “It is holy unto the Lord.”

“And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth is holy unto the Lord.” Lev. 27: 30-32.

NOTE.—One seventh of our time and one tenth of our income are holy unto the Lord. Sabbath-breaking and a refusal to pay an honest tithe are sins of the same character. Faithfulness in Sabbath-keeping honors Christ as Creator and Redeemer. Faithfulness in tithe-paying honors Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. Gen. 14: 18-20.

5. IF WE KEEP BACK A PART OF OUR EARNINGS FOR FOOD AND CLOTHES, AND ONLY PAY TITHE ON THE BALANCE THAT IS LEFT, IS WHAT WE GIVE AN HONEST TITHE?

Ans. Jacob asked the Lord for “bread to eat and raiment to put on,” and then promised, “Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Gen. 28: 20-22.

6. IS IT NECESSARY TO PAY TITHE ON WHAT WE RAISE IN OUR FIELDS AND GARDENS AS WELL AS ON THE MONEY WE EARN?

Ans. “The children of Israel brought in abundance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.” 2 Chron. 31: 5.

“Not only does the Lord claim the tithe as his own, but he tells us how it should be reserved for him. He says, ‘Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.’ This does not teach that we are to spend our means on ourselves, and bring to the Lord the remnant, even though it should be otherwise an honest tithe. Let God’s portion be first set apart.”—Special Testimony.

7. WHAT WAS THE SIN OF ACHAN?

Ans. He took a part of the holy or devoted things, reserved for God’s treasury, for himself. Joshua 7: 1; 13: 20, 21.

8. WHY WERE ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA PUNISHED?

Ans. For pretending to give to God what they were in reality keeping for themselves. Acts 5: 1-10.

NOTE.—From this we can see that it is very dangerous for us to take either the holy Sabbath or the holy tithe to use for ourselves. We should not claim to be tithe-payers if we are not honest with God. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,” and then the promise, “I will pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it,” will be fulfilled to you. Mal. 3: 3-10.

“In using my reserve fund to gratify your own desire, you have robbed souls of the light which I made provision they should receive. You have had opportunity to show loyalty to me, but you have not done so; for you have stolen my reserve fund.”—Special Testimony.

Spanish Town, Jamaica, W. I.