QUESTION CORNER

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 27, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 35.

1272.—An Excuse for Drinking.

Drinking men use the following text for an excuse. Deut. 14:26: “And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth.” How can you explain it, or harmonize this text with others, such as Prov. 23:29, 30?

The term “lusteth after” should be “desireth,” and “desireth,” “asketh of thee.” (1) If God’s people carried out this instruction in the true spirit of it, they would transgress no other command of God known to them. If they did not thus carry it out, then they did not meet His mind at all. (2) God gives every man the privilege to do as he will. He has told them what is good. In that good, rightly used, they may rejoice. If they do evil, they must suffer the consequences. (3) No one would say that God approved the eating of forbidden food in Deut. 14:26, which He prohibited in verses 3 to 21 of the same chapter. We should understand His limitations upon our freedom. Those who take such texts as license to indulge unholy lusts will sometime see that they have used the text as an occasion, an excuse for wrong-doing, but that it is not a cause. He who wishes to glorify God will find plenty of instruction, encouragement, and help for that purpose in the Word. Those who wish to serve self under the license of a religious cloak will manufacture excuses anywhere.

1273.—Paying Tithes.

Is it right to pay tithes? Did Jesus and the apostles pay tithes? Are we to follow His example in everything?

M. L.

(1) It is right to do what God has specifically commanded, through priest, prophet, His own Son, and apostle. Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 23:23; 1 Cor. 9:13, 14; Heb. 7:8. Note the force of “even so” in 1 Cor. 9:14. (2) Jesus said that He kept His Father’s commandments. John 15:10. (3) Even so we are to follow His example, and in all things keep God’s commandments. Is not this plain?