The Next Annual Offering by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 24, 1910

The Next Annual Offering

By I. H. Evans

WHEN the first Sabbath in April comes, it will bring to us all the precious privilege of doing service to the Master himself. On April 2 there will be the usual annual offering taken for the support of those Seventh-day Adventists in need of financial help. Sickness and death, and the loss of property and positions through accepting the truths of the third angel's message, are continually placing among us those who need care and financial aid.

We are all God's stewards, having charge of more or less earthly treasure to be used to his glory. The orphans and aged ones among us who are in need of homes and tender, loving care are given us by the Lord that we may show our love to him by tenderly caring for these his representatives. When Christ himself was on earth, most of his life was spent in ministering to the poor, healing their diseases, and imparting hope and courage to those who were in utter despair. It was from his bountiful hand that the hungry multitudes were fed. It was his person who often was seen in the sick chamber, standing beside the sick and dying, ministering to their recovery. It was he to whom the hopeless leper appealed for help, and an appeal was never made to Jesus in vain.

The Master's life is given to his children as the great sample life we all should live. Not simply in teaching doctrines and elucidating Scripture was he our example, but he became our pattern in ministering to those in need and in helping those who could not help themselves.

In summing up real Christian experience, the apostle James says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

No Seventh-day Adventist should ever want for a good Christian home. No unfortunate, needy Seventh-day Adventist should ever have to ask for public charity. All these needy ones belong to God's people, are a part of the church militant, and it belongs to those who are well and strong to see that their needs are supplied, even as we would gladly minister unto Christ himself were he on earth in their stead.

The money that is received in this donation is now used by our union and local conferences in behalf of those requiring financial help. The offering should be liberal, that these organizations may have funds enabling them faithfully to look after those in need of financial aid. Do not forget the date, April 2, and let us all lay our plans that we may have an offering to bring on this occasion.

I. H. EVANS.