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Tithes and Offerings

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 5, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 30.

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Tithes and Offerings.

GOD REQUIRES FAITHFULNESS.

(Lesson 7, August 17, 1889.) 1. For what purpose did Christ sanctify himself? "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." John 17:19.
2. By what means are we to be sanctified? "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." Verse 17.
3. What is it to sanctify anything? "And Moses said unto the Lord, The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it." "And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it; whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death; there shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live; when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount." Ex. 19:23, 12, 13.
4. When a person is thus sanctified, what work will be wrought in him? "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5.
5. Upon what will his mind dwell? "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8.
6. What was the law respecting the sanctifying of a man's substance to the Lord? Lev. 27:14-19.
7. If he chose to exchange that which he had sanctified, how much was he to add to it? Ib.
8. Could that which had been sanctified be taken back, and no equivalent be given? "Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy unto the Lord. None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death." Lev. 27:28, 29.
9. Does the Lord require men to devote their substance to his service, and make offerings to him? "Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God; let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared." Ps. 76:11.
10. Under what circumstances do men usually make vows? "I will go into thy house with burnt offerings; I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble." Ps. 66:13, 14.
11. When God delivers his people from trouble, are they not under obligations to pay their vows? "Thy vows are upon me, O God; I will render praises unto thee; for thou hast delivered my soul from death; wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" Ps. 56:12, 13.
12. When a vow or promise was made to give unto God, what was the offering called? "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth." Deut. 23:21-23.
13. When a man questions the vow he has made, and appropriates it otherwise, what does it become to him? "It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry." Prov. 20:25.
14. When such promises are not regarded, what is such a sacrifice called? "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few." Eccl. 5:1, 2.
15. What judgment is threatened against those who disregard such vows? "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?" Verses 4-6.
16. Who among the apostles made a consecration of his possessions? "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4:36, 37.
17. What shows that twenty-six years later Barnabas labored with his hands to support himself? "Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?" "If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ." 1 Cor. 9:6, 7, 12. "Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you; not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us." 2 Thess. 3:8, 9.
18. What other persons consecrated a certain possession? "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession." Acts 5:1.
19. In keeping back part of the price, what sin did they commit? "And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God?" Verses 2-4.
20. What was the result of this sin? Verses 5-10.
21. What will give us confidence to ask God to deliver us in the time of trouble?"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Ps. 50:14, 15.
22. Are such acts as keeping back part of our vow any less sinful to-day?
23. Are any of us guilty of the same sin?