TRYING THE HEART | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 2, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 31.

TRYING THE HEART.

1. Besides the Sabbath what does God establish as a test of obedience and loyalty? “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah’s; it is holy unto Jehovah.” Lev. 27: 30.

2. By what arrangement in this matter are we taught that the Lord is particular in the matter of the tithe? “And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof. And all the tithe of the herd or the flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto Jehovah. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it; and if he change it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.” Verses 31-33.

3. What important lesson is taught in the tithing system?—That we are but stewards of God.

4. What will the Lord require of His stewards? “For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.” “Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them.” Matt. 25: 14, 15, 19.

5. Whose record in this matter is left as an example for us? “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was priest of God Most High. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.” Gen. 14: 18-20.

6. Because of Abraham’s faithfulness, what honored title is given him? “Didst not Thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend forever?” 2 Chron. 20: 7.

7. What promise did Jacob make after the Lord had spoken with him in vision? “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and Jehovah will be my God, then this stone which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.” Gen. 28: 20-22.

8. What instruction does the Saviour give upon the payment of the tithe? “Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith; but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.” Matt. 23: 23.

9. For what purpose was the tithe used anciently? —For the support of the Lord’s work and those that were doing His work. See Num. 18: 21, 24.

10. What accusation does the Lord bring against those who were not faithful in this matter? “Will a man rob God? yet ye rob Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee?—In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with the curse; for ye rob Me, even this whole nation.” Mal. 3: 8, 9.

11. What blessing is pronounced upon those who were faithful in this regard? “Bring ye the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now herewith, saith Jehovah 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.” Verse 10.

12. What definite instruction has the Lord given for the support of the Gospel ministry? “Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the Gospel should live of the Gospel.” 1 Cor. 9: 13, 14.