Requests for Money by J. M. Rees

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 26, 1903

Requests for Money

By J. M. Rees

As we travel through our fields of labor, we are confronted with such questions as, “Will they ever stop asking for money?” As we are just now entering upon a time when large amounts will be called for in order to meet the present demands, doubtless Satan will suggest that it is time to call a halt.

To such questions I wish to answer. The calls will not cease until our High Priest shall throw down the golden censer, not until he lays aside the mediatorial robe, not until he says, “He that is holy, let him be holy still,” and “he that is unjust, let him be unjust still,” not until there comes a famine for hearing the word of the Lord, and not until the Master proclaims the awful words, “It is done.” Then no more means will be solicited. The voices of God’s faithful servants will be hushed, so far as asking for means to carry on the work is concerned. Doubtless those who have persuaded themselves that there is ample time in the future to do what they should, will then come and offer their means to God’s servants. They would then be glad to have it accepted, but the prophet says, “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath.” “In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, . . . to the moles and to the bats.”

Now we are coming to another week of prayer. This should be the greatest self-denial week of our lives. However, to obtain money is not the object of the week of prayer. We must make it a spiritual blessing, or it will be of no practical good to any of us. We should reconsecrate ourselves to the Lord at this important time. If we do this, there will be no trouble with the amount of our offerings at the close of this series of meetings. Then the money will come as the Lord needs it, and in place of twenty thousand dollars we will surely receive fifty thousand dollars.

We must be fully consecrated to God and his service to be tided over the billows that are just before us. We should put our hands into his wounded hand, confidently saying, “Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.” Let the nearness of the coming of the Master inspire our hearts to the endurance of every trial, to the forsaking of every sin. It is the warning to be uttered, the exhortation to be spoken, the comfort to be administered, and the gospel to be preached.

I quote from an unpublished Testimony the following: “Let us remember that the coming of the Lord is nearer than when we first believed. What a wonderful thought it is that the great controversy is nearing its end. In the great closing work we shall meet with perplexities

that we know not how to deal with, but let us not forget that the great powers of heaven are working, that a divine hand is on the wheel, and that God will bring his purpose to pass. He will gather from the world a people who will serve him in righteousness.”

J. M. REES.