A NEAT LITTLE THING by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 14, 1879

A NEAT LITTLE THING.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

This is what all will say of our new little tithing box. It is a small wooden box, strongly and neatly made, five inches long, and three inches square. It is covered over with a deep blue paper, ornamented with gilt borders and scriptural texts in gilt letters. On the top is an opening set with brass, large enough to admit a silver dollar. Above this opening is the following:—

“S. B. Treasury. ‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.’”

Below the opening is the following appropriate text:—

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” 1 Cor. 16:2.

On another side of the box is this text in large letters:—

“But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Cor. 9:6.

On a third side in small letters are the following appropriate headings and texts:—

DUTY OF TITHING.

“And of all that thou shalt give me will I surely give the tenth unto thee.” Gen. 28:22. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.” “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.” Lev. 27:30, 32. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:10. “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all.” Heb. 7:2.

GIVING OF THE FIRST-FRUITS.

“Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.” Prov. 3:9. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the self-same day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” Lev. 23:14.

COVETOUSNESS FORBIDDEN.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY.

“The laborer is worthy of his hire.” Luke 10:7. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:14. “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Num. 18:21.

On one end in larger type, is the following:—

“Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50:5.

And on the other end is this:—

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7.

Here are several brief sermons, all plainly in view and easily read. On the bottom is a little trap-door, with directions about opening.

This neat little box is designed to be put by the owner in a convenient place where he can deposit his tithes each week, or as often as he receives anything of the Lord. It is to be opened at the end of each quarter, the contents counted and given to the treasurer. Nothing could be better adapted to the purpose for which it is designed. When our offering is thus deposited, we shall be less liable to be tempted to use it for our own purposes.

Children, particularly, will appreciate it. Here they can lay by their little offerings. It would be an ornament to any room, and a silent monitor admonishing us of our duty. It is just the thing for class collections and penny contributions in the Sabbath-school. Every school should have one or more, and every family should have one. Indeed, it would be well for each person to have a box of his own.

Send in your orders to the REVIEW Office, Battle Creek. Price, post-paid, only 25 cents. In quantities of ten or more, by freight or express, 20 cents apiece. D. M. CANRIGHT.