Is It True! by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 6, 1872

Is It True!

By R. F. Cottrell

A BROTHER recently said to me, “God is testing his people.” The thought was not at all new to me; but it was a word fitly spoken, and I have pondered it much since. Said he, “We are not to test others, but God is testing all.” Solemn thought! Is it true? It certainly is. The last message is going forth; and certainly it is a testing message. And to profess faith in the truth, and nominally and outwardly to conform to it, is not enough. Thoughts are being weighed. Hearts are being proved and motives are being tried. Light has been given, and God and angels are watching and waiting to see the effect. All in Heaven are anxiously desirous that we should be saved; yet we are left free to act for ourselves. Shall we not be anxious for ourselves, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

In the REVIEW of July 23, Bro. Phelps has some good suggestions on tithes and offerings. I hope the article will be read to profit. It is indeed possible for a man to rob God. No reason can be given why God should not claim as his a tenth of our increase at the present, as in past time. To use as our own what he has reserved to himself and claims as his own, is to rob him. And the rule has a general application. Then most men are robbing God. Those who profess faith in his word and profess to be his children, especially those who have the light of the last message and acknowledge it as present truth; should not be of the number. Yet doubtless many who profess the truth are robbing God.

We may rob God by withholding tithes; we can rob him by a wrong use of that which is put into his treasury; and those who receive of the means sacredly devoted to God and his cause, professing to devote their time to his especial service, can rob God by squandering the time which should be devoted to the salvation of men. Here is something for all to think of. None are exempt; God has a claim upon all. Let us each keep the question in mind continually, Will a man rob God? Am I robbing him? I have a sacred trust as a steward of God. Am I true to the sacred trust? He will require his own. Am I ready to give an account? All have talents of some kind entrusted to their care. Let us strive in future to be faithful in that which is entrusted, whether it be little or much. God is testing his people; and he wishes us voluntarily to choose to walk in the light and be saved.

Systematic Benevolence is not systematic compulsion. God’s claims are set before us, not because he has need, but for our own good. It gives us a chance to try our own hearts; so that we may not be deceived and come to the Judgment unprepared. Shall we not co-operate with God in the matter of the greatest interest to us—our own purification and salvation? It is God that is waiting for us to form a character that can be admitted to his presence in glory.

R. F. COTTRELL.