IT IS ACCEPTED by E. R. Jones

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1879

“IT IS ACCEPTED.”

By E. R. Jones

EVERY person who gives of his means to the cause of Christ is anxious to have his offering accepted of the Lord. In his word God has fully instructed us on what conditions any offering made to his cause will be received by him. We have precepts and many examples; but above all these appear two very prominent conditions which, perhaps, are a summary of them all. The first is the motive, or feeling of heart, with which we give. Said the great apostle Paul, “For if there be first a willing mind.” 2 Cor. 8: 12. A willing mind is the first absolutely necessary condition of an acceptable offering to God.

Let us read further upon this point. Anciently, when God desired his people to build him a sanctuary, which required offerings that would cost a sacrifice on their part, he said, “Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” Ex. 25: 2. When the first temple was built, it is said that “the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord.” 1 Chron. 29: 9. A king of Israel whom the apostle Peter calls a patriarch and prophet spoke thus of the offerings for this temple: “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort; for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and all is thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.” 1 Chron. 29: 14, 16–18.

The above quotations are worthy of the careful consideration of every one who professes to love God. God wants all his people to have their hearts in this work of giving to his cause, and to do it willingly and with uprightness of soul. He wants us all to know and feel that he has given to us all that we have, and that it is his own. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.”

The child of God who really loves his Saviour rejoices to give of the worldly goods which God has bestowed upon him, to advance the cause of Him who has given himself for us. He will do it willingly and with gladness of heart. David prayed that God would ever keep this in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of his people; and said that God would try their hearts. The Lord will surely see it if the willing mind and heart is not in our offerings, for he looks at the heart; and this willingness in giving is what makes the gift precious in the sight of God. The poor widow’s trivial offering, because it was given in pure love for the cause of the Lord, was more to him than the much which the others gave to get praise from their fellow-men. “God loveth a cheerful giver.”

The second condition of acceptance is, that we give in proportion to that which we have. “That there may be equality” (2 Cor. 8: 14) is the plan laid down in the word of God. None need be in ignorance as to what proportion of our means we are to give. If there be no definite rule by which to be governed in our giving, then the Bible plan of equality is subverted and destroyed altogether. We are not left to our own discretion as to the amount. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Cor. 8: 12. Though we profess to have a willing mind, yet will not give according to that which we have, it will not be accepted; if we give in proportion, but have not the willing mind, it will be rejected of the Lord. Cain offered to God as well as Abel, but was rejected. And why? Because his offering was not in harmony with God’s plan. Said the Lord to him: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Gen. 4: 7.

Cain’s case is an admonition to us, and a warning. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” If we present our offerings in harmony with the requirements of the Lord, we shall be accepted; but otherwise our offerings will be rejected of him. First we must have a willing mind, second we must give in proportion to that which we have; and then we certainly shall be blessed of the Lord.

E. R. JONES.