Wherein Do We Rob God?
By S. N. Haskell
The object in life is to prepare for the kingdom promised. Therefore to learn and obey the requirements of Heaven is of the utmost importance. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” are the words of the Saviour. The promises we make to God are sacred, and should be regarded as such by us. Promises, oftentimes, made to our fellow-men are regarded as of more importance than the promises or good resolutions formed in the service of God. When this is the case, it is no marvel that individuals complain of doubts and darkness; for the course pursued is well calculated to destroy confidence in God and ourselves. And to expect the blessing of God when this is the case, is to hope in vain. It is right that we should vow to God. “Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God; let all that be around about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.” Ps. 76:11. After we have vowed, then it becomes sin to question the propriety of it. “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.” Prov. 20:25. Prompt, cheerful obedience, is what will meet the mind of the Spirit of God; for “God loveth a cheerful giver.” Moses gives the following testimony on the subject of vows: “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a free-will offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” Deut. 23:21–23. When a vow or promise is made to God, it is recorded by an angel, and thus becomes very sacred; and it is the height of folly not to consider it a grievous sin to lightly regard it. “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands.” Eccl. 5:4–6. The error of lightly considering the promises made to the Lord, became common among the Jews; therefore the curse of God, instead of a blessing, rested upon them. God has a claim upon a certain portion of all of man’s increase, and has intrusted it to man, that his heart might be tested in the disposal of that committed to him. See 1 Chron. 29:9, 13–17. It was a lack of faithfulness in giving back to God his just claims with a cheerful heart, that led the prophet to exclaim, “Ye have robbed me.” “Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Yet the inquiry comes up, “Wherein have we robbed thee?” The Lord replies, “In tithes and offerings.” Then the Lord invites all to prove him, by bringing their tithes and offerings into the storehouse. What an idea is contained here. 1. The people of God have robbed him, by withholding a tithe of their increase, and offerings besides. And, 2. In consequence of it, the curse of God was resting upon them. Then he calls upon them to prove him, by bringing all their tithes into the storehouse, and see if he will not pour them out a blessing, until there is not room enough to receive it. I know of no better advice that can be given to the people of God upon this point, than to try the strength of this promise, “Let your past pledges and vows be at once paid, if it is at a sacrifice. Do not try to cheat the Lord by placing your Systematic Benevolence figures less than you should. Make the fulfillment of your promises to God as important as a bank note. Let God’s claim be the first on the file. Then we shall begin to realize that religion means something. There were sin offerings, trespass offerings, thank offerings, besides a tithe of their increase, and it is folly to suppose that while sin exists, and we need the pardoning mercy of God, and are constantly receiving from his bountiful hand the blessings of life, health, and happiness, to a greater or less extent, that we should not show an appreciation of these blessings by freely donating to the cause of our divine Lord, of our substance, that which belongs to him, when the cause itself is made dependent on donations for its sustenance. “The liberal soul shall be made fat.”
S. N. HASKELL.