3:8Malachi 3:8

Withholding the tithes and offerings that belong to Him is robbing God, for all that people possess is His and is entrusted to them to return.3T 408.4–409.1+2
One tenth of all increase and income is the Lord's own reserved portion, the least He claims, and beyond it He calls for gifts and offerings in proportion to what each possesses.3T 408.4–409.1+2
The tithe is to be brought in full into His treasury for His appointed work of sustaining ministers and gospel laborers and carrying the message to new fields, and it must not be retained or turned to other uses by personal judgment.3T 408.4–409.1+4
Robbing Him in this way brings His curse and withdraws blessing, while bringing all the tithes into the storehouse brings opened windows of heaven, blessing without room to receive it, and protection of what is possessed.RH Apr 20, 1905+4
The charge is against the whole nation, yet those who have robbed Him must confess, repent, and make restitution of what was withheld, and then prove His promise by doing their part.ST May 6, 1875+4

Withholding tithes and offerings that belong to God and are owed to Him is robbing Him, because all that people possess belongs to Him and is entrusted to them to be returned in part for His work.3T 408.4–409.1+4 Giving a faithful tenth of increase together with trespass, thank and other offerings supports His work, while neglecting this plan leaves the treasury impoverished and the church backslidden.3T 408.4–409.1+1 The tenth is reserved for sacred purposes and offerings are also required, and returning a portion of what is entrusted shows dependence on Him and accountability to Him for the gospel commission.ST May 6, 1875+1 Money used to buy and sell and get gain becomes a curse when what belongs to the Lord is withheld, and the means entrusted are to be used in sending the gospel to all parts of the world.RH Apr 20, 1905 Neglect in returning His own should be confessed with humble hearts, and when His people return His own He will impart His goods to the faithful so they may do still more for the advancement of His work.RH Apr 20, 1905 Using His lent possessions for self-service, self-glorification and selfish indulgence obstructs the cause of truth, yet consciences hardened may fail to recognize the wrong, and the world will answer in judgment when each receives according to deeds.6T 387.3–388.1

The verse records the people asking wherein they have robbed Him while professing ignorance and denying knowledge of the failure.ST May 6, 1875+4 They remain unconvicted of sin, spiritually blind, hardened by selfishness, and defending themselves as righteous.PK 707.2–3+1 God answers plainly that the robbery is in tithes and offerings, making faithfulness an explicit duty by failing to bring these gifts.STMW7 20.2+2 The surrounding words call them to bring all the tithe into the storehouse with promise of blessing, protection of crops, a land other nations will call blessed, and rebuke of the devourer.Ms 24, 1901, par. 22–23+1 In this He gives them another chance to return by restoring what is due.Ms 103, 1906, par. 5–6

The charge of robbery is made against the whole nation, charged as one special sin for which the whole nation lies under a curse.ST May 6, 1875+4 The tenth is sacred and set apart for God like the seventh day, and the means entrusted are to support His work on earth.RH Aug 25, 1874 Going away from ordinances while professing to serve Him but serving self, claiming no duty to give a certain portion and feeling no condemnation, leaves no meat in His house and fails to relieve brethren in poverty and distress and break the yoke of oppression.Ms 62, 1894, par. 25–28 Those words will be met in judgment in a revelation of the good that might have been done in charity by giving back all He claimed.Ms 62, 1894, par. 25–28

The verse belongs to the rebuke of those whose words are stout against God in thinking and talking of advantage by worldly association, saying it is vain to serve God and what profit is it to keep His ordinances and walk mournfully before the Lord of hosts, while the proud are called happy and workers of wickedness are set up and tempters of God are delivered.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52 It stands in contrast to those who fear the Lord and think upon His name, who speak often to one another and are hearkened to and written in a book of remembrance before Him.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52 They shall be His in the day when He makes up His jewels and shall be spared as a man spares his own son that serves him, when there is a return and discernment between the righteous and the wicked.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52 For the day comes that shall burn as an oven and all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble burned up leaving neither root nor branch.Ms 53, 1894, par. 50–52

The verse calls the unconverted, backsliders, and those conscious of sin and separation from Him to turn, repent and confess.Lt 44, 1876, par. 9–10 It functions as God's invitation to test His promises and see what He will do when people do their part, presented as assurance that He will act for those who respond faithfully.Lt 14, 1899, par. 17–19 The promises will be fulfilled as God's people serve as channels for His blessings by doing His work zealously and unselfishly.Lt 223, 1904, par. 31

Going away from ordinances is robbing God, and returning to God means restoring tithes and offerings to the storehouse to receive opened windows of heaven and protection of the fruits of the ground.Ms 124, 1898, par. 22+3 Such robbery is widespread and brings a curse upon the whole nation.Ms 124, 1898, par. 22+2 The requirement is plain and unmistakable yet openly neglected, denouncing covetousness, and must be read onward with the rest of the chapter carefully and prayerfully with an understanding heart, remembering all blessings come from God.Lt 30, 1893, par. 28–29 It is given for good, to turn the soul from sin to righteousness and from unrighteousness to obedience, sustaining the ministers appointed to give the message of mercy and providing for the watchmen upon the walls of Zion in no haphazard manner.Ms 93, 1898, par. 16–20+2 Therefore every convert to the truth and every newly raised church must be decidedly instructed in it in the spirit of Christ, because the last years of probation are fast closing and the great day of the Lord is at hand.6T 446.3–447.1+1

All that men enjoy is received from His goods, and all who stand under Christ and all human receivers of His treasure, mercies and stores must acknowledge dependence on God and accountability to Him by returning a certain portion to the treasury as His own, to be invested in missionary work for sustaining foreign missions.Ms 93, 1898, par. 16–20+1 God has made men His stewards, and from all to whom He has entrusted gifts He asks a return as He has blessed them, a gift to bless others and supply the needs of His cause, which He calls meat in His house.Ms 99, 1893, par. 15–16 Choosing one's own way and transgressing commandments and ordinances is spiritual blindness, for He gave ordinances to keep men in harmony with His ways and will so He can cooperate with them in advancing His kingdom, and honesty with Him in this matter is necessary for every soul who would seek Him in prayer.Ms 93, 1898, par. 16–20 Spiritual perceptions were clouded so the duties plainly stated in the chapter were not seen.Lt 30, 1893, par. 28–29

The chapter states God's claims clearly and warns that disobedience leaves people without excuse.Ms 24, 1901, par. 11–12 Faithfully returning the tithe helps the gospel work move forward and is a way to do His will on earth as it is done in heaven.Ms 24, 1901, par. 11–12 Christ, Israel's leader during the wilderness journey, directed His people about their property, and God's requirement is clear in Scripture that people should accept hardship rather than withhold what belongs in His house.MYP 307.2

One tenth of all increase, possessions, income, capital and business prosperity, whether large or small, is the Lord's own reserved portion and the least minimum He claims, and returning it acknowledges His claim.3T 408.4–409.1+4 Withholding tithes and offerings is robbing Him, the charge is made against the whole nation, and the people ask how they have robbed Him with the answer that it is by failing to give what belongs to Him.3T 408.4–409.1+3 Even those with small means must render back the tenth without stopping to measure how they are coming out, because it belongs to God and is not their own.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+1 Unfaithfulness keeps men under condemnation as unfaithful stewards, deprives the treasury of its agreed proportion, deprives themselves of the promised blessing, and forfeits trust for larger responsibilities and facilities for obtaining more means.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+1 God's arrangement must be followed exactly, not offset by deeds of charity, gifts or offerings given when and how human agents see fit, nor improved by makeshifts averaging up good impulses.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+1

The tenth is sacred, holy and reserved by God for Himself and His work, set apart regularly and not given or withheld by personal impulse.3T 510.2+4 Employing it for one's own use is robbery, just as employing His Sabbath time is, while He entrusts the remaining nine-tenths to people and giving that proportion sanctifies the remainder for personal use.RH Aug 25, 1874+1 This arrangement was made by Jesus Christ and carries solemn eternal consequences.STMW9 67.3–4 Selfishness can harden people and lead them to keep part of their increase while pretending to follow the rule of tithing, yet following the plan would provide abundance to carry forward His work.5T 150.2 God claims a tenth of each person's income whether large or small, and those who withhold it cannot expect His prospering hand, with the duty applying even to poor believers who should give according to what they have.GW92 269.3–270.1

God also calls for gifts and offerings beyond the tithe, including freewill, thank, trespass, gratitude, sin, peace, regular, special and poor offerings in proportion to what a person possesses.3T 408.4–409.1+3 His people should not come before Him empty-handed but bring both tithes and gifts.3T 510.2+1 The tenth is reserved for sacred purposes, and offerings are also required to support God's work.3T 408.4–409.1+2 Robbing God means covetously retaining tithes and offerings that should flow into the treasury, even in small jots and tittles, with blessing for faithful disposition and curse for covetous retention.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16

The produce of field, orchard and soil belongs to God's provision and is to be faithfully tithed for His work, with offerings also required to help the poor and sustain that work.Lt 354, 1906, par. 5–12 The blessings and abilities used to produce food are entrusted by God, not given for one person to claim and exploit for private gain.Lt 354, 1906, par. 5–12 The tithing system is the Bible plan ordained of God from the first and binding in every age, from Noah and Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek onward, on ancient Israel and on God's people in the last days.3T 408.4–409.1+2 It was made as a definite arrangement by Jesus Christ, not to be handled by personal impulse, and must be taught to new converts and new believers.STMW9 67.3–4+1 Neglecting this plan leaves the treasury impoverished and the church backslidden, while bringing all the tithes into the storehouse brings God's blessing with provision in His house.3T 408.4–409.1+1

The duty to return tithe is plain, direct and understandable even to a child, with no excuse for evading it.Lt 51, 1902, par. 5+3 It must correct human ideas rather than be read in light of them, blunted, mingled with prejudice, or evaded because others are imperfect.Lt 63a, 1893, par. 39–45 The robbery has continued long because people do not realize the tithe is God's reserved portion, have lost sense of His requirements, and think its claim no longer exists.7MR 136.5–137.1 Tithing is not meant as a burden to willing hearts that love God, and its importance continues for God's people in the last days when the work is urgent.3T 395.2–396.1 Paying tithes and offerings is a duty God has clearly laid down, not a request made by human beings, and it sustains His work in the world so no one can excuse himself from it.STMW7 22.3

Giving should be systematic and shared by all from a willing heart as with the Sabbath, even a small weekly amount with children taught to save and give.ST May 6, 1875+2 God does not compel people to give; as with keeping the Sabbath, obedience is to come from a willing heart.2MR 132.5–133.2 Even those unable to give much can set aside a small amount each week, and children can be taught to save and give, as acts of faithfulness that help provide for the Lord's work.Lt 25, 1904, par. 5 Ancient Israel devoted no less than one-third of income to sacred and religious purposes, calling for even deeper sacrifice in the last days of urgent work.ST May 6, 1875 Those who limit their giving also limit the blessings they receive, while cheerful, willing and systematic giving brings prosperity in proportion to obedience.ST May 6, 1875

Tithes and offerings belong to God and are reserved to publish salvation and share news of the Saviour with perishing souls in darkness at home and abroad, to sustain ministers, gospel laborers and workers opening Scripture in spiritual darkness, to support missions and established work, to carry the message to new fields and places that have not heard including the school work at Cooranbong, to help the poor, to provide meat and food in His house, and to prepare a comfortable house for Him to meet with His people without debt.3T 408.4–409.1+4 Withholding them is robbing Him, because everything a man calls his own is entrusted by God and a certain portion is to be given back, and honesty in this matter is necessary for every soul who would seek the Lord in prayer.3T 408.4–409.1+2 The return sustains appointed ministers to give the message of mercy to a fallen world, turning men from unrighteousness to obedience, and provides for watchmen upon the walls of Zion in no haphazard manner, so that unfaithful stewardship retards the work and leaves the gospel unpreached to many poor, needy and broken-hearted people.Ms 93, 1898, par. 16–20+2 The duty to give faithfully is plainly stated so there will be adequate supply to carry forward His work without hindrance, and neglecting this plan leaves the treasury impoverished and the church backslidden.3T 408.4–409.1+1

The duty to show practical godliness by caring for the poor and suffering belongs with Malachi 3, and is not to be left merely to institutions.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16

The tithe must be paid faithfully in full into the Lord's treasury and held sacred for the specific service He appointed to support ministers and missionary work, including those in new fields.6T 387.3–388.1+4 It must not be retained or redirected by personal judgment, by ministers or others, even in emergency or for the Lord's work as one sees fit, nor diverted to other lines of work, personal advantage, self-service, self-glorification, selfish indulgence, costly massive structures, student education, church conveniences, ordinary running expenses such as buildings, fuel and lights, charity, support of needy members, or other temporal needs.Ms 37, 1896, par. 8–10+4 Those temporal needs must be met by self-denial, economy, and gifts and offerings, for using the reserved portion for personal advantage or expenses that self-denial could cover diverts sacred funds from their purpose.6T 387.3–388.1+1 Such diversion depletes the treasury, obstructs the ministry, hinders new fields, departs from His arrangement, brings judgment, and unless repented of risks loss of heavenly treasure.9T 249.3–4+3

People are merely hired servants and stewards who do not own the money, persons, time, property and increase passing into their hands but hold them as a loan advanced by creation and redemption through Christ's suffering life and spilled blood.RH Jan 17, 1907+2 Both original resources and their increase belong to the Lord and must be accounted for, and failure to return what He calls for is treacherous dealing with the Creator under a definite and special agreement.RH Jan 17, 1907+2 Honesty toward others is no excuse if what belongs to God is withheld, and those who deal treacherously with their Maker will certainly deal treacherously with fellow men, so all must examine business relations with God.RH Jan 17, 1907+1 At judgment excuses for withholding will disappear, the record of persistent unfaithfulness will be too late to change, and each person's destiny will be fixed according to deeds.6T 387.3–388.1+1

All possessions, blessings, food, health, clothing, life and increase come daily from God through Christ, who left heaven and became poor that men might be rich.Ms 25, 1894, par. 12–13+2 Returning tithes, gifts and offerings acknowledges Him as giver and owner, loyalty, dependence and gratitude for spiritual and temporal blessings, and expresses it in action not words as a sign of loyalty and submission to His sovereignty, with promise to increase substance, as Abraham did.9T 245.2+3 Those connected with appointed institutions must acknowledge that intellect and all capabilities are owed to Him, and there is no safety in withholding His own portion.Ms 159, 1899, par. 14+1 Money devoted to the Lord's work of saving souls makes people producers as well as consumers of His blessings and can be used to lay up treasure in heaven.Ms 70, 1896, par. 1+1

Returning tithes and offerings is an obligation and debt owed to God to be returned willingly and gladly with promise of prosperity and blessing, expressing gratitude for His blessings and supporting His work.Lt 51, 1900, par. 20+1 Those entrusted with leadership are to set a right example in fulfilling it.Lt 51, 1900, par. 20 Faithfulness is part of covenant relation to God, standing as an obligation signed by Christ who gave the richest blessings.Ms 47, 1900, par. 2+1 God has entrusted enough to sustain His work and each must act as faithful steward with a constant stream into the treasury so the work does not languish, giving liberally and open-handedly by the Holy Spirit's direction, honoring Him with substance and firstfruits in proportion to blessings.Ms 47, 1900, par. 2+4 This is done by sharing with fellow workers in unselfish service, holiness, integrity, industry, economy, living within means, and honest work, as a test of allegiance, gratitude and loyalty done systematically, proportionately as prospered, regularly and habitually without waiting for special calls, supporting the work of warning the world and extending into new territories.Ms 40, 1905, par. 13+2

God's claims in tithes and offerings take precedence under and above every other claim and must be met first at any cost or sacrifice however small the income, before personal wants are supplied and before providing portions for children.1T 220.3+3 The tithe is distinctly reserved to Himself by definite arrangement, not to be handled by personal impulse, but to be set aside faithfully and regularly as sacred to His work.ST Dec 14, 1882+1 Even one in debt must not take the reserved portion to settle debts to fellow men or invest all profits including the tithe to cancel debts first, for reserving it makes him a double debtor, a breach of trust and contract proving unjust in much and want of principle in all business.MYP 306.3+1 Such unfaithfulness is written in heaven's books with traits that will cut him off from the heavenly family, while when what He claims is given the remainder is blessed, and afterward the poor and needy must be cared for even at personal cost or sacrifice.4T 477.1+2

The portion God reserves is not to enrich Himself who already owns all treasures but for human benefit, to make people laborers together with Him and producers as well as consumers.Lt 30, 1893, par. 30–33+1 It must be brought into the treasury that there may be meat in His house and the saving of souls and the last message of mercy not be retarded by an empty treasury, especially as probation is fast closing.Lt 30, 1893, par. 30–33+2 Those entrusted with managing resources and handling facilities and means must do so with strict integrity and care so funds are not kept from the treasury to build up the work in many places, having no right to absorb them in one place while mission fields lack support, since funds are brought through faith in His cause and the Lord's work depends on those entrusted with His means.HSFM 112.5+2 The tithe is His sacred portion reserved to support preaching of the gospel throughout the world, and church officers should teach members to pay it and set a faithful example.HSFM 112.5+1

Withholding money God requires for a particular mission field robs God.Lt 3, 1899, par. 14–15 When He sends workers to a field with a work under His direction the means He calls for there must not be held back, and keeping funds from a new field of distressing necessity, leaving it years behind instead of advancing, uplifting, and broadening it, is the condemned robbery.Lt 3, 1899, par. 14–15

Giving must be deliberate, regular, weekly and monthly, systematic and sustained in proportion to provision rather than left to impulse, chance, special appeals or human requests, for of all income whether much or little every week the first appropriation belongs to God and His claims are due promptly and not delayed until an appeal moves, with only complete inability excusing failure and each giving as prospered even the poor, and those who withheld should make restitution as far as possible and seek pardon, since giving tests the heart, develops character, is recorded whether much or little, and continued covetousness which is idolatry brings separation, loss of the prospering hand, decline of spirituality and lack of the Spirit.GW92 269.3–270.1+4 Those spiritually awake hear in every week's income the demand for tithes and offerings without waiting for thrilling missionary appeals, for the system enjoined required the first of flocks, herds, fields, orchards and vineyards or its redemption, while now claims are left till last though the worldwide commission needs tenfold more means and makes proportionate giving by rich and poor doubly essential, and if all tithes flowed in, blessings would multiply gifts and offerings tenfold and keep the channel open, instead of many reluctantly giving less than one-twentieth, robbing even the little tithe, or giving only the tithe and no more.ST Jan 29, 1880

Even those with small means must render the tenth without calculating how they will come out, acknowledging all means belong to God, and even one in debt must not use the reserved portion to settle debts, for the tenth of all increase is not one's own and God's arrangement must be followed exactly rather than offset by other charities, gifts or offerings given when and how one chooses, by averaging up impulses, or by using the tithe to settle debts.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+2 Returning without flinching even when entrusted with large wealth means using His capital to build the kingdom, restricting personal expenditure, saving to help, giving oneself and not wasting on selfish pleasure but providing books of present truth to families unable to buy them, trusting Him even in hardship to fulfill pledges, with all on the church books to give a tenth in proportion as prospered and even the poorest to give their small gifts which will be abundantly blessed and swell revenues.Ms 156, 1898, par. 18+2 Faithfulness in giving is part of covenant relation and helps provide for those devoting time to saving souls, sustain established work and carry the message into new fields, calling for self-denial and economy including avoiding extravagant spending so believers can give their part.RH Jan 17, 1907

Disagreement with brethren, dissatisfaction with how means are used, unworthy ministers receiving some means, Conference business not managed according to order, misuse of funds to pay ministers who give no evidence of conversion and injure the church, and lack of confidence in leaders give no right to withhold from the treasury, for tithes and offerings are God's property for His appointed work and to withhold under any circumstances is robbery and sin bringing the curse on the whole nation.Ms 7, 1891, par. 25–26+4 Duty is to pay gladly and freely, complain plainly and openly in the right spirit to the proper ones and petition for adjustment, seek to correct evil while remaining faithful and standing in place, and God will not hold the faithful giver responsible for mismanagement but the sin rests on the erring, while taking treasury money to pay for such labor is sin.GW 228.2+1

Ministers must clearly teach this obligation by precept and example so people understand duty to support God's work, plainly, practically and often, to rich and poor alike, young and old, in Australia, America, Africa and everywhere so His house is supplied with food, both by those first presenting truth and those following up.5T 255.3+4 When ministers neglect it people feel secure in neglect, go against express requirements, become lifeless and ineffective, and the treasury lacks means to support laborers and pay honest debts and advance missionary work, leaving people endangered by selfishness and worldliness, so leaders including the conference president must plainly urge it, oversee laborers, teach faithfulness and labor personally on this duty even when unpleasant instead of spending means to employ others to follow negligent workers and bind off unfinished work.5T 255.3+2

Parents must impress strict obedience in returning God's own on children, educating them to deny self and worldly pleasures, pay tithe and bring offerings however small to advance His work, become workers together with God and fruitful to His glory, sowing by self-denial seed unto eternal life.Lt 38, 1902, par. 25–27 Parents who rob God teach children by example not to bring gifts or feel obligation, making them careless, indifferent and hardened against preaching and passing neglect to the third and fourth generation, while bringing an honest tithe with liberal gifts beyond it makes people God's helping hand to maintain the ministry, and keeping gifts back to accumulate wealth for children violates His claim and exposes children to temptation.Ms 100, 1901, par. 29–31+1 Giving is not to be forced or set by comparison with another's gift; each is responsible to decide freely whether to give much or little, and regular giving is a continuing test developing character and revealing the heart.GW92 268.4–269.1

God values gifts not by amount but by motive and willing loving heart, so even a small self-denying gift of the poor is precious and acceptable wholeheartedly, while clinging to growing possessions from fear of want shows distrust, and failure to give despite professed love reveals selfishness and ingratitude.1T 237.1–238.1+2 Offerings must be the best, without blemish, of flock or field, given freely, willingly and gladly, not pressed from people or given grudgingly and stinted, for God rejects lame offerings and only free best offerings bring His blessing on families and possessions, while stinted covetous offerings bring judgment with curse on harvests and flocks in proportion withheld and affliction in families.ST Sep 2, 1886+2 God claims a portion of the blessings He gives to be returned with liberal gratitude offerings, joyfully giving the first and choicest and dedicating the best service, which brings rich blessings and a harvest as reward for faithfully using entrusted talents.AA 339.4 Offerings reveal whether people value sacred things above own interests and whether hearts are reverent, shown by faith in His near coming through self-denial rather than selfishness when Christ abides, while serving self rather than treating His work as sacred and failing pledges to churches, schools, institutions and missionary work when means are available is robbery.5T 153.1+2

Withholding reflects selfishness, covetousness, self-indulgence, lax principles and hearts fixed on earthly treasure, against which God lifts a danger signal; keeping for self-gratification withholds what rightfully belongs to Him contrary to Christ's self-giving liberality, harms the church by hindering the gospel and bringing reproach, and a church that robs God cannot prosper but falls into spiritual poverty and barrenness.AA 339.1+4 Withholding what one can give out of selfishness, making the tithe as small as possible and grudgingly giving little while hoarding or spending on self, saying one cannot give more yet failing according to ability, squandering wealth by mismanagement while giving little to spread truth, keeping back the tenth and failing to make the interest and prosperity of Christ's kingdom paramount by meeting necessities of His cause first and giving in proportion to means, including making pleasure and selfish interest chief, seeking greatest profit in dollars and cents, loving money as the ruling passion, and laying up treasure on earth, is robbery that stores no treasure in heaven and may end in loss, poverty and withdrawal of blessing, though God may test by blessings.4T 484.2+4 Holding back a faithful tithe through selfishness and lax principles greatly dishonors God, since selfishness is the great sin of the world and has become the prevailing sin of the church in failing to impart means for advancing the work He wants to see go forward with power; all are responsible to awaken and pay a faithful tithe, to keep a faithful account with the Creator and be just toward Him who has divine foreknowledge, by diligently searching the heart and reviewing accounts to learn how one stands in relation to God.Ms 57, 1901, par. 1

Withholding is failure to deny self and fruit of covetousness when sacrifice declines and selfish grasping after higher wages dishonors God; selfishly seeking higher wages in God's work as the full measure of duty mingles the profane with the sacred and spreads like contagion, leavening witnesses with doubt until they hold back what belongs to God.RH Jan 4, 1906+1 Those who withhold are not walking honestly before Him and do not receive His favor yet complain He does not recognize them as they think He should, and their failure is linked to selfishness and neglect of mercy to the needy.Ms 24, 1901, par. 24–26 Church members who withhold are not serving God though names remain on books, and substituting own plans for God's arrangements despite knowing His instructions is real offense though robbing God seems unthinkable.Lt 8, 1890, par. 9–11+1 Those entrusted with large capital face temptation to indulge selfishness and avarice and keep back God's own, but one who loves and fears God will not find meeting His claims on an enlightened conscience a burden and meets temptation by answering Satan with what is written, while neglecting duty to support the church and its work is disobedience, not a harmless personal choice, and withholding entrusted means for personal use and concealing it brings spiritual darkness and harm to people and church.Ms 99, 1893, par. 21+2

The verse applies to keeping systematic benevolence with a constantly replenished treasury instead of urgent calls and backsliding, giving a faithful tenth with trespass and thank offerings by wealthy as faithfully as poorer classes, for neglect empties the treasury, forces repeated urgent calls and leaves the church backslidden.3T 408.4–409.1+1 It applies to giving economically to remove church debts, to not spending on drink, needless dress, fashion, self-indulgence, indolence and worldly customs, since talents and money loaned by God are to be improved by trading, with the faithful increasing pence or pounds into large revenue and the slothful burying bringing curse, and money wasted on drink destroying reason and on needless dress could support missions where the gospel is needed.ST Nov 28, 1878+2 It calls for giving liberally now to finish work such as in Washington so unbelievers see it completed and to meet calls from foreign fields such as the Malay Islands with immediate liberal collections.13MR 230.1–4 Doing duty in tithes and offerings keeps the treasury from being empty; robbing God robs the robber of rich blessings He waits to bestow, while faithfulness with close connection to God through Christ makes churches light bearers bringing vitality, self-denial and true godliness instead of coldness and barrenness.Ms 7, 1891, par. 28–29

When all members pay a faithful tithe there is a constant stream into the treasury, God richly blesses the faithful, and faithfulness enables the work of preparing a people for His coming to be quickly finished.Ms 38a, 1905, par. 30 If His portion were not withheld, one hundred times more work could be done, the treasury would be supplied and not crippled, institutions freed from embarrassment, debts paid, conferences not burdened, and the work not retarded by scarcity, whereas when people fail to give, treasuries remain empty and the work cannot advance, a shortage not blamed on extravagant building.ST Jan 29, 1880+3 Faithfulness in tithes and offerings opens the way for the world to hear the message for this time, prevents lack of funds, multiplies resources, opens a thousand doors and invitations, hastens Christ's coming and welcome to the city, and requires hearts filled with love, self-sacrifice and earnestness; neglect delays the message and shows need of awakening in flood of light.6T 450.1+1 Tithes and offerings are needed to relieve the poverty of His work and proclaim truth in new and destitute fields; substance divided with brethren laboring with meager facilities brings blessings, hoarded wealth becomes a curse God cannot bless, selfish holders in emergency will lose all while the converted with more than sufficient will impart, no charity is complete without appreciation of the gospel, and God's rebuke rests on those not helping against darkness as the third angel's message grows rapidly needing many laborers.RH Dec 27, 1906 At a crisis believers must give to help the Lord, for spiritual prosperity is bound with liberality; money brought is insufficient for barren fields, workers, harvest and new standards, and if self-denial were learned the church would be the light of the world.Ms 57, 1901, par. 29+1

Withholding tithes and offerings owed to God is robbing Him and brings His curse upon the whole nation and withdraws blessing, while bringing all the tithes into the storehouse so there is meat and provision in His house opens the windows of heaven with blessing poured out without room to receive it.RH Apr 20, 1905+4 Faithful return brings rebuke of the devourer and preservation of the fruits of the ground and vine, with crops protected and a delightsome land that other nations will call blessed, in both financial and spiritual blessing for the supply of the work of salvation.3T 394.4–395.1+4 The tenth is sacred and set apart for God like the seventh day, not a person's own even in small jots and tittles or small means, and must be rendered back without measuring how one will come out and without offsetting it by charities, gifts, or offerings given when and how one chooses or by averaging up impulses.RH Aug 25, 1874+2 Unfaithfulness keeps stewards under condemnation, deprives the treasury of its agreed proportion and themselves of promised blessing and trust for larger responsibilities and facilities for obtaining more, while those who strike true figures receive the pledged word.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+1 Neglect to return His own is to be confessed with humble hearts, and when His people return His own He imparts His goods to the faithful to do still more for sending the gospel to all parts of the world, for money used to buy and sell and get gain becomes a curse when what belongs to the Lord is withheld.RH Apr 20, 1905+1

The threatened curse falls on the whole nation for such robbery, and the withholder is deprived of promised blessing, while faithfulness brings opened windows and poured-out blessing with no room to receive it.Lt 223, 1904, par. 26–28+4 God may afflict families and decrease possessions in proportion to disposition to rob Him, and giving freely brings blessing in proportion to the value placed on divine things.Lt 223, 1904, par. 26–28+2 Those who have received great light must humble themselves and confess sins for promises to be fulfilled, for He does not support those who depart from truth and righteousness, and persistent robbery is subject to judgment.Lt 223, 1904, par. 26–28+1 The charge calls for repentance and giving God what is His and for teaching the duty essential to gaining His approval, since selfishness can harden the conscience so people ask wherein they robbed and fail to recognize wrongdoing, yet He gives another chance to return.Ms 35, 1891, par. 34–36+2 What is reserved for publishing salvation and sharing the gospel with those in need and for supporting those who teach Scripture in spiritual darkness must not be used for self-service, which obstructs truth, makes the whole nation guilty, leaves withholders under a curse, and will be answered for in judgment when each receives according to deeds.STMW9 71.2–3+1

Honoring God with substance and firstfruits brings plenty and prosperity attending labor, while limiting giving limits blessings and harms the giver as well as robbing Him.Lt 39, 1874, par. 2–4+1 Covetous withholding and stinted offerings bring a curse in proportion withheld upon harvests and flocks, with affliction in some families, for He rejects lame offerings and requires the best of flock or field given freely for blessing to rest on families and possessions.ST Sep 2, 1886+2 His claims take precedence over every other claim and must be met first at any cost however small the income, with His portion faithfully reserved because distinctly His own, yet many meet all other claims before His and bring no offerings.ST Dec 14, 1882 Some who do this remain in apparent prosperity only because in great mercy He still spares them to see and put away sin, while others already feel His curse in straitened circumstances with less and less ability to give, and if His claims were made first with willing heart the giver would be blessed with more means to bestow.ST Dec 14, 1882 Cheerful, willing, systematic giving brings prosperity in proportion to obedience, and the tithing system remains important in the last days when the work is urgent and sacrifice is to deepen.Lt 39, 1874, par. 2–4+1

Withholding always brings a curse with spiritual and eternal harm, adversity, scattering of gathered means, and loss, while faithful giving brings blessing, spiritual prosperity, security laid up in heaven, and treasure in heaven.Lt 18, 1901, par. 7–8+4 All blessings of food, health, clothing, life, and produce of land and herds come daily through Jesus Christ who left heaven and became poor that men might be rich, so it is only just to return the portion He claims into the treasury that there may be meat in His house and the saving of souls not be retarded by an empty treasury.Lt 30, 1893, par. 30–33+1 Reserving a portion is not to enrich Himself but for human benefit, to make men laborers together with Him and express gratitude by the ordained plan, which is the only happiness and safety with no withholding to live to self, for to increase earthly treasure profits nothing if the soul is lost.Lt 30, 1893, par. 30–33 What is given is traded upon with unwearied diligence even in cents, made secure in the nail-pierced hand bearing His inscription and sealed with immutability and going before the giver to the heavenly courts, while what is retained is to eternal loss; spiritual prosperity is closely bound with liberality, requiring earnest work at the appointed post, cheerful willing thankfulness, emptying of selfishness, and any sacrifice to place eternal life within reach of the perishing.RH Dec 10, 1901 When what He asks for is withheld He permits adversity and the spoiler's destruction, and every dollar unjustly extorted from the cause is theft bringing such harm.Lt 18, 1901, par. 7–8+1

To rob God is also to rob self by giving up heavenly treasure for earthly gain, while honoring Him with what one has brings His blessing on temporal affairs and His hand can defeat plans and scatter what people gather.5T 271.3 What is withheld through blinded selfish interests may be scattered and lost both to possessor and cause, preserved neither for this world nor the world to come, though lent for advancing His cause.ST Oct 29, 1894 He requires willing generous offerings sufficient for His work including preparing a place for worship, and those who withhold what He requires dishonor Him and face affliction in families and decrease in possessions according to disposition to rob Him.ST Mar 4, 1903 Keeping back tithes and offerings through hearts fixed on earthly treasure robs self of eternal riches, since freewill offerings do not enrich Him who already owns all treasures of earth and heaven but enrich the giver by laying up treasure in heaven through using means while living to save fellow men and advance His cause in its branches, which is only rendering His own.ST Jun 11, 1894 Keeping His money weakens spiritual influence, turns from His command, fosters selfishness, deprives souls of light, and will be charged as misappropriation of the Lord's goods, harming the giver unto eternal loss, while faithfully giving back allows entrusted means to increase through use and makes givers channels of blessing with constant interchange of receiving and restoring so the treasury sustains the ministry in all parts of the vineyard.Ms 144, 1897, par. 1–4+3 Fastening money in property that must be sold before it can be used and then excusing doing little is as effectual a burial as the man in the parable, and in robbing Him of the tenth robbers rob themselves of heavenly treasure.ST Jun 11, 1894+1

Robbery includes the covetous purpose in the heart to withhold, selfish neglect in paying tithes and bringing gifts, and wasting His goods upon self or others instead of doing duty as written, leaving no excuse in judgment.Ms 99, 1893, par. 23+2 He sees every purpose with all-seeing eye and cannot be deceived or cheated, and as a book of remembrance is written for those who fear Him and think upon His name so a record is kept of all who appropriate what He entrusted for salvation of souls.Ms 99, 1893, par. 23 The portion claimed is tithes and offerings from annual increase and business prosperity for the treasury and missionary work, and all must be tested in His balances weighing character to be honest whatever circumstances and let no temptation force dishonesty with men or God.Ms 42, 1898, par. 13–20+1 The word is plain and direct and must correct human ideas rather than be reshaped, evaded, or blunted to suit prejudice and selfishness, requiring acknowledgment that all means and talents are His, return of claimed portions, and wise use of His capital to build Christ's kingdom especially by those entrusted with large means, lest robbery forfeit success, bring confusion obscuring eternal truth, and give others excuse to follow under the curse.Lt 63, 1893, par. 43–48 Selfish withholding and self-indulgence against which He lifts a danger signal leaves undone what He requires and makes a record the doer will not care to meet, requiring strict obedience and training children to deny self, pay tithe, and bring however small offerings to advance His work and become workers together with God fruitful unto eternal life.Lt 38, 1902, par. 25–27

That record is written in heaven and will be answered when each receives according to deeds done in the body, when excuses for withholding disappear, destiny is fixed, and delinquencies are met when books are opened.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+4 Deficiency causes withdrawal of special blessing and requires self-examination, speedy repentance proved by works, and making up deficiency without delay, with blessing withheld until restitution is made, but He waits to forgive when wrong is freely and fully acknowledged and repented of, restoring honesty and acceptance of the offering.STOM 40.2–41.1+1 Confession of robbing Him in tithes and offerings must be followed by restoring what was withheld even at great personal cost, in one case with interest directed to missionary work, and by fulfilling pledges and settling accounts with Him.Lt 46, 1888, par. 13–15+3 For the naturally selfish and covetous, giving where they withheld works in the opposite direction and is the only way to obtain victory and finally inherit eternal life, requiring bringing all, not one quarter or two thirds, into the storehouse, which then brings opened windows and poured-out blessing.Ms 47, 1900, par. 12

Unpaid tithe is a debt owed to Him registered in heaven's books that will meet a person in judgment, and when light is received those who robbed Him must confess indebtedness, figure up back tithe even for twenty years and even when they did not before understand it was required, include interest owed, pay as fast as possible and no longer rob Him, make accurate reckoning and restoration to redeem the past, fulfill past pledges as far as possible, promise a full honest tithe so the treasury is not left empty, settle account while having means, and keep vows and pledges alongside honesty with others.Lt 23a, 1893, par. 57–59+4 Failure to pay is joined to decline in spiritual life, while faithfully paying with interest brings happiness.Ms 17, 1889, par. 2–4 Withheld tithes stand recorded as robbery and unfaithful handling of entrusted goods, and merely starting to give correctly or later obedience alone does not erase the record.3T 393.1–394.3+2 Giving is voluntary not compelled, yet neglect is unfaithful dealing and ingratitude requiring repentance, confession, and return of withheld funds to the treasury, which has accompanied a work of the Spirit converting many with thousands of dollars brought in after the Minneapolis meeting; high-handed robbery of money due for mission fields must be put away for repentance.3T 393.1–394.3+4 Such robbery is sin and wrong to be confessed and made right by repentance and restitution including restoration with interest, bringing blessing, assurance of forgiveness, and evidence of His work, whether taking pay while neglecting its duties, taking or misusing entrusted money, or taking from others and robbing His treasury.3T 559.3–560.2+4

Gifts and offerings pledged to Him are solemn promises witnessed by heaven and recorded above that no excuse makes right to break, and those failing to return what is due show self-love and ingratitude to be judged according to works; He honors those who honor Him, while persistent disregard of light and privileges can exhaust forbearance and turn mercies into a curse.Lt 31, 1889, par. 4–6 Promises made under the Holy Spirit's influence to support churches, schools, missionary work, and other institutions are obligations to be honored not set aside when inconvenient, and lives should be examined for unpaid pledges to be fulfilled if able.5T 153.2 Withholding includes failing to fulfill such pledges, vows, and solemn promises when means are available, with faith in Christ's nearness shown by faithful self-denying action, for neglected vows and unpaid pledges should trouble conscience like an unpaid debt and must be settled before the last day.5T 153.1+1 Once vowed, a particular amount is consecrated and binding, weighed in heavenly courts, and keeping pledged money for personal use brings no blessing, while a tenth with liberal offerings would abundantly provide for the gospel supported by gratitude for property and power to gain it.AA 74.2–75.2+1 Systematic benevolence is His own arrangement requiring faithful prompt payment by rich and poor with only utter inability excusing neglect, for thinking withholding is gain brings the curse while bringing tithes frees institutions from embarrassment and carries forward missionary work, and indifference shows blindness unworthy of the Christian name.ST Jan 29, 1880 A verbal or written pledge in presence of brethren to advance His sacred work is a vow and contract made not to man but to God, more binding than any legal bond for money, and to withhold or turn it to own use or seek release treats promise to God as less binding than to man.ST Jan 29, 1880 Breaking it is sacrilege just as heinous as Ananias and Sapphira though no visible mark follows, weighed in justice in heavenly courts to be surely visited in judgment, with many feeling the curse even in this life.ST Jan 29, 1880

Robbing God includes forsaking His ordinances and trampling His holy Sabbath as well as withholding tithes and offerings, for the same God who requires tithes and offerings to send the gospel to the world also commands care for the poor, ministry to the widow and fatherless, and just dealing with the hireling and stranger, and claims the Sabbath for Himself.Ms 106, 1893, par. 3–4 He set apart the Sabbath from toil and care for holy communion with Him, to lead men to contemplate His power and love in creation and redemption.Ms 106, 1893, par. 3–4 Those who willfully disregard it rob themselves of the rich blessing He desired to give and fall under a curse, because they separate themselves from God the source of good.Ms 106, 1893, par. 3–4 Withholding what belongs to Him is robbery, and treating His holy seventh day as common by using it for self-serving or worldly work robs Him of the day set apart for His honor and glory.Lt 30, 1900, par. 10 The whole world stands guilty of this robbery in accepting a spurious sabbath and trampling the day He made holy.Lt 30, 1900, par. 10

Taking the seventh-day Sabbath for personal use is robbing Him, treating the day He set apart for His honor as an ordinary working day and doing worldly business on it, which is theft from God and an insult to Him.19MR 265.2 The charge reaches the world's acceptance of a false sabbath while His appointed day is disregarded.19MR 265.2 Robbery can mean withholding the honor due Him by setting aside His sanctified seventh day for the first day each week, robbing Him each week and disregarding His unchangeable law.ExVEGW 53.1–2 Infringing on the borders of His holy time each week likewise robs Him, for the sacred rest day is to be kept holy with its hours for prayer and meditation rather than worldly work.4T 247.1

Withholding His holy time robs Him, for replacing the seventh-day Sabbath with the first day robs Him of sanctified time, and the Sabbath command belongs to His immutable law whose breach is to be repaired by His people.EW 55.1 Taking what belongs to God is robbery, and using even a little of the time He reserved for the seventh day for one's own financial advantage dishonors Him and treats His commands lightly.1T 531.2 Such gains bring loss rather than blessing.Ms 8, 1866, par. 2+1 Knowingly taking His weekly time by disobedience is continual robbery of Him.Lt 13, 1900, par. 1

The same principle applies to the Sabbath, whose time belongs to the Lord, so using it for ordinary work or worldly talk takes that time for self and violates it.GW92 207.1 Using the seventh day for one's own work instead of His service disregards the holiness He gave it and shows contempt for the Lawgiver.RH Jun 29, 1911 As one seventh part of time belongs wholly to the Lord as His memorial, so His portion of means belongs wholly to Him, and the tithe is not to be the limit of liberality toward God because His work must advance and means are needed to establish it in every new field entered.Ms 147, 1898, par. 16 Even one hour of holy time that could be done in the six days is not to be taken, with work that can be done on ordinary days done then.CH 523.4 Giving Him service weakened by avoidable overwork during the week is not service He can accept, and those who lead the church should preserve strength to bring the gospel to the Sabbath meeting and offer Him their best gifts and consecrated service.6T 361.3

Taking time He has reserved for Himself is robbing Him, and Sabbathkeepers who use the Lord's time for their own advantage dishonor Him, treat His commands lightly, and find supposed gain to bring loss rather than blessing.Ms 8, 1866, par. 2 Withholding tithes and offerings robs Him, and stewards who cling selfishly to earthly wealth rob themselves as well, losing eternal riches they could lay up by using entrusted means to save others and advance His cause; giving does not enrich Him whose treasures are already His but fulfills His requirement and benefits the giver, and the warning also applies to withholding time that should be devoted to His service.2T 653.1–654.2 Taking time needed for His work is robbing Him, including time spent in needless visits and conversation that belongs to the Lord and should be devoted to the work, which hinders laborers and diminishes the sacredness of the work.TBC1868 34.2–3+1 Using time rightly belonging to God for elaborate entertainment for display is robbing Him, wronging family members by taking needed attention from them and leading others to follow the same course.6T 343.1–3 Frittering paid time away or failing to use it well is robbery, regarded as fraud that He will avenge.Ms 6, 1878, par. 33 Keeping back from Him a part of the price is robbery, and every hour spent in careless inattention to His claims is terrible loss, wasting opportunities and privileges that are His entrusted mercies and entreaties; those who rob Him thus drop the future life out of reckoning and fail to increase His talents in usefulness and efficiency, a loss nothing can supply, and even if saved they suffer terrible eternal loss with diminished crown, receiving according to works.Lt 12, 1893, par. 43–45

Robbery toward God is broader than money and includes refusing to render the obedience He requires in anything He enjoins and withholding what is His own, for human beings are His property by creation and redemption, under obligation for life, food, and protecting care, and He has most absolute right to them and their service and unlimited right to dispose of whatever belongs to Him as He pleases; to refuse that obedience brings a curse upon the robber.Lt 72, 1893, par. 2 Neglecting to follow out through love and fear every specification in His Word is robbery toward Him, requiring study and practice of the third chapter of Malachi, with failure bringing sure visitation that no one can afford.Lt 70, 1893, par. 11 Property and abilities are entrusted gifts not to be spent only as one pleases but to be used for His work, with each person to account for their use.Ms 70, 1896, par. 20–24 A man can rob Him in more ways than one by withholding unreserved consecration of heart, soul, mind, and strength covenanted in professing Christianity and pledging to do His whole will; those whose names are on the church book yet break that vow and in business live like avowed sinners and as children of the wicked one rob Him, crucifying Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame.Ms 120a, 1901, par. 5 Such unjust dealing as accepting and defending large wages while limiting poorer workers' pay without considering need also robs Him by depriving His messengers and workers, and is recorded in heaven.Lt 15, 1895, par. 14–16

Robbing Him includes far more than withholding money, covering withholding time, capabilities, reason, strength, and unselfish service, spending time in idleness and nursing rebellion while His property and work need faithful workers, seeking to buy land for less than its known worth, trafficking for selfish gain with property purchased by money given for His service, forming habits of buying below real value and selling for gain and robbing a poor man of his just due in trades such as the horse and the cow, and treating sacred things as common.Lt 110, 1897, par. 15–22 All ability is His property, He keeps men alive every moment and bears long with such robbery, but after the day of test and trial He will not favor the unconverted robber, whose character becomes an offense to Him and a stumbling block who cannot bless any church.Lt 110, 1897, par. 15–22

Withholding what is due Him includes not only material offerings but also thought, devotion, talents, and influence, and keeping back part of what belongs to Him while professing Christianity requires repentance and reformation, for refusing light and reproof given by the Holy Spirit leaves a person spiritually weak and can exclude from heaven.5T 434.2 Time, service, affection, and property all belong to Him, and choosing one's own will, way, pleasure, and impulse instead of loving Him supremely and neighbor as self is selfishness; meeting Him with the willing offering of a faithful tithe brings reward, but professing to give all while keeping back self or property is still robbery.ST Apr 11, 1900+1 He accepts nothing less than a spiritual priesthood bringing an offering in righteousness, with no selfishness, for selfishness lies at the foundation of all sin, and the only safe path is to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Christ.Ms 153, 1899, par. 28

Withholding time or talents is robbing Him, as with young people who could serve as missionaries and should give abilities and time to His work rather than settle for a low standard.HSFM 152.5 Failing to use talents in His service and burying what belongs to Him leaves the redeemed accountable for that neglect.ST Aug 1, 1911 Misusing abilities and influence instead of putting them to best use wastes entrusted talents that must be improved, bringing condemnation rather than the faithful servant's commendation.EDFCP 12.3 Failing to help others by useful work while consuming benefits without gratitude offerings robs Him, for He entrusts talents and earth's fruits that men may use them wisely as producers as well as consumers.MYP 210.1–2 Refusing His requirements and failing to devote every ability to His service is robbery, for He calls for the cooperation of every person.17MR 44.3–4

People rob Him when they forget Him and leave eternity out of reckoning, seeking worldly gain while neglecting spiritual life, which robs soul and family by leaving them unfit to train children in His way.STBk 61.1 Neglecting prayer and heart devotion while seeking large payment for human effort leaves out what makes labor acceptable to Him.STBk 61.1 Neglecting Him is robbery when men pursue temporal gain while forgetting Him, scarcely praying and leaving eternity and heart devotion out of work, robbing their own souls of care and families of godly teaching.STA 61.1 Money and influence entrusted to men are the Lord's to be used actively for His cause, including supporting its work and spreading its message.RH Jan 5, 1868 Spending hours on selfish pursuits instead of serving Him and laboring for others' salvation robs Him who continually works for humanity and gave His Son, and this reaches time and ability as well as money.ST Jul 3, 1884 A young man robs Him by withholding his heart's best and holiest affections, because he is not his own but was bought with precious blood.Lt 72, 1890, par. 5

Neglecting Him through devotion to temporal gain is robbery, for forgetting Him, neglecting prayer and spiritual life, and leaving eternity out of plans deprive self and family of spiritual care and heavenly instruction, and money and success cannot make work acceptable without heart devotion and true piety.STOM 48.1 Making temporal interests first robs Him of time that should be devoted to His service, and neglecting prayer and assembling for worship to gain time for farms or business shows which world is placed highest, sacrifices privileges essential to advancement, fails to obtain knowledge of the divine will, and comes short of perfecting character and meeting His measurement; such persons are marked and will receive a curse rather than blessing.ST Jun 11, 1894 Withholding property from spreading truth, even by placing means in children's hands to avoid responsibility, is also robbing Him, for money handled is His, not one's own, and to love in word but not in deed and truth fails the test.ST Jun 11, 1894 Forgetting Him by letting business and worldly concerns crowd out the soul's highest interests and make devotion secondary brings the warning against neglecting spiritual life through preoccupation with temporal affairs.Ms 19, 1894, par. 4–5 Time and abilities spent pleasing self and caring for one's own concerns instead of teaching others the way of salvation withhold what is due Him and neglect work for Him.Lt 48, 1876, par. 9–10

The question whether a man can rob God reaches Christians who fail to live by Christian principles, where disaffection, division, and self-seeking contradict the unity and character He desires in His children.Ms 40, 1896, par. 19 Defrauding Him by using His faculties for sinful purposes is robbery, for men belong to Him by creation and redemption, and profane speech, evil thoughts, unhallowed passions, and ungodly gain turn body and powers into instruments of unrighteousness.5T 116.2 Selfishly misusing entrusted talents and resources, especially through love of money and desire for supremacy, dishonors Him and harms others.RH Oct 8, 1901

People rob Him when they misuse physical powers and form harmful habits that shorten life and make them unfit for His service, also robbing fellow men by cutting short opportunity to bless them and do the work for which He sent them, for which He holds them accountable.RH Jun 20, 1912 Harmful habits that shorten life and weaken ability to serve cut short good that could be done for Him and others, which is robbery toward Him.MYP 235.1–3 Shortening life by habits harming the body, such as neglecting exercise, overworking, keeping late hours, or gratifying appetite at health's expense, withholds body, mind, and strength entrusted for consecrated service.CH 41.2 Diminishing powers through frivolous amusements and selfish ambition instead of using them for His glory misuses talents and robs Him.Ms 6, 1885, par. 12

To rob Him in education is to refuse Him willing service of spirit, soul, and body, following methods that crowd out His Word; education should take in light from knowledge of Him to impart light in good works.FE 352.1+1 The worst kind of robbing Him is parents neglecting duty in the home, withholding the whole-heart service of parents and children He demands; neglecting duty plainly revealed in His Word defrauds their souls of peace and happiness in children, brings His frown instead of blessing, leaves eternity and salvation out of reckoning, and neglects and misplaces things belonging to eternal peace by putting them last instead of first.Ms 66, 1893, par. 2 Professing to serve Him while conducting business without devotion, piety, and godliness is robbery toward Him, for godliness must shape every transaction, and leaving Him out of decisions while speculation and worldly cares displace religion and worship treats Him as robbed.9MR 171.3–4 Business must be joined with fervent service rather than displacing religion, worship, and care for spiritual life.Ms 6, 1890, par. 22–23+2

Selfishly using entrusted means for oneself instead of letting them serve God's glory through relieving suffering and saving souls is embezzlement of God's goods bringing accountability.COL 371.2 Misusing His goods for personal advantage, self-glory, or wealth gained through injustice and deceit is also robbery against God and fellow people, and God marks this wrongdoing and reproves it through His servants.Ms 149, 1898, par. 12 Professed Christians who desire to be accepted by God yet hold to desire for gain, worldliness and selfishness are robbing God and shutting themselves away from Him, proving they need genuine conversion, and their casual prayers to be accepted are wholly in vain unless they meet God's specified condition of bringing all the tithes into the storehouse.Ms 35, 1893, par. 34

Using blessings and resources for self instead of sharing saving truth and helping those perishing without it, diverting means entrusted for this work from their intended purpose, is unfaithfulness to trust and robbery that withholds honor and glory due to God.8T 24.1–25.2+1 Means entrusted by God are robbed from Him when spent unnecessarily on display and self-indulgence instead of being used to help the hungry and naked, and such spending deprives people of opportunities to do good.COL 352.3 Using means for pride and display instead of works of mercy takes resources from clothing the naked and feeding the hungry.MYP 360.1 Spending means needlessly for show is robbing God, and unless there is wholehearted return and acknowledgment of Him in all ways, means may be scattered and poverty may follow.2T 281.2 Means devoted to God are robbed from His work when spent on self-gratification instead of sending the light of truth to warn people and prepare workers to save souls, as pride, love of amusement and display, and extravagance in dress, homes, and land divert resources.5T 10.3

Withholding from God what belongs to Him is robbing Him, including spending on prideful dress and worldly fashions instead of honoring Christ who should receive the first, the best, and the last of everything.21MR 225.3 Withholding what belongs to God brings spiritual loss, so that people become spiritually diminished and miss rich blessings when they divert God's treasures to honor themselves and satisfy household wants, and limiting unchecked desires and needless comforts would bring blessing to giver and family.Ms 47, 1899, par. 4 God lends people means to use for His glory, and faithful stewardship includes using those means to do good and build treasure in heaven, while those who hide or misuse resources fail as stewards, lose both the increase promised to the faithful and what was entrusted, and have no welcome in the everlasting home.ST Mar 22, 1883 Giving to God rather than hoarding wealth is part of using entrusted means rightly, for property accumulated selfishly can harm both parents and children and become a spiritual stumbling block.3T 399.1

All means and goods are God's money entrusted to men as His stewards and will be required again, so spending them on self, such as embellishing houses, instead of practicing economy and sacrifice is robbing God.Ms 123, 1898, par. 4 Not robbing God means using every ability and all means now, because the great day is soon to open, to build up His kingdom by carefully trading upon His goods to bring back revenue in saved souls unto eternal life, and those saved in turn become stewards to cooperate in the kingdom.Ms 123, 1898, par. 4 Taking or selfishly using what belongs to God is robbing Him, for God is giver of the world's blessings and people dishonor His claims when they turn His gifts toward greed and selfish pleasure instead of returning service.COL 301.3–302.2 Treating entrusted wealth as one's own and worshiping it instead of the Creator is covetousness and idolatry, and people who use God-given strength and resources for self rather than His work are robbing Him.RH May 23, 1907

Selfishly spending the Lord's entrusted goods on oneself while leaving needy people unaided and failing to advance God's work is robbery, for riches justly acquired are not condemned but using them selfishly instead of faithfully serving God makes one an unfaithful steward dishonoring the Maker.Ms 6, 1899, par. 22–24 Money in the hands of worldly men is God's own money that they have been robbing Him of all their lives.16MR 168.1–2 Failure to use entrusted surplus to advance God's work, with extravagant spending on one's own home while accepting inadequate places for worship, dishonors the Redeemer.Ms 47, 1900, par. 6 Using God's money selfishly while fellow people are poor and hungry robs both them and God and embezzles His goods.STMW9 68.2+2 Neglecting the poor is robbing God, and after God's claim is met the poor and needy must be cared for even at personal cost or sacrifice.STMW9 68.2+1

Selfishly spending gifts entrusted to a person dishonors the Creator and is recorded in heaven, for withholding from God what should be used for His work and for needy people is robbery.COL 266.2 The tithe is to be returned in acknowledgment that all one possesses is entrusted, and gifts and offerings are also due including help for the needy, so people are accountable for using means in God's service rather than for themselves alone.Ms 81, 1898, par. 8 Christians enlightened on tobacco rob God in tithes and offerings that should sustain the gospel when they spend His money on that indulgence, with an enormous sum yearly squandered on the altar of destroying lust greater than what is given to relieve the poor or supply His cause.CH 84.1 Those truly sanctified overcome every hurtful lust, turn all channels of needless expense into the treasury, and take the lead in self-denial, self-sacrifice and temperance.CH 84.1 Professed Christians who spend more on tobacco than they give to relieve the poor or support God's work should turn such needless spending to the treasury, for when hurtful lusts are overcome money wasted on them can be redirected there.ST Oct 5, 1882+1

Money entrusted to God's people is diverted from His work when spent on selfish or useless purposes, including photographs, calling those who misused means to repent, humble themselves, and redirect selfish spending toward advancing the cause.RH Nov 26, 1901 Using money entrusted to God for wasteful or selfish purposes is robbing His treasury, as when money spent on showy clothing for games could instead carry the message of truth to people in new places.2MR 219.1–2 Men rob God when money resolved for His treasury is turned aside to speculative investments such as patent rights or other brilliant enterprises under bewitching enchantment for prospect of fast easy gain to later give more, and is then lost through deception, depriving His cause of what should extend truth and save souls with means passing into Satan's ranks.ST Oct 1, 1894

The same robbery includes giving only a small portion of possessions to God in a will while leaving most to relatives with no interest in the truth, for God's possessions should be used freely to advance His cause while a person can still give, and a promise to give at death does not excuse withholding during life.4T 479.2 Deliberately directing property to unbelievers in a will after withholding it during life misuses goods entrusted for faithful stewardship and will be answered for when the Master demands an account.5T 155.2–3 Giving only a small amount at death does not make up for withholding generous offerings during life, and planned wills favoring personal use over God's work continue robbery after death, so servants should give willingly and generously while living in love for Jesus who gave His life and became poor.4T 481.1 Giving should flow into the treasury rather than be selfishly kept or passed to children when due to God, by placing self and all in His hands and living for His glory rather than earthly possessions and pleasures.4T 484.1 Leaving surplus property to children instead of advancing the cause deprives both giver of heavenly treasure and the treasury, and placing means in children's hands to avoid responsibility is also robbing God, for the money handled is the Lord's not their own.3T 120.1–2+1

Using the Lord's reserved portion for personal purposes, including paying debts to others, is robbing God, revealing unfaithfulness and lack of principle in other life and cultivating character unfit for His family.6T 391.1 When set apart for Him that portion is sacredly devoted to His work and no longer theirs, constituting revenue of the gospel on which its proclamation depends.GW 224.1–2 To take from His treasury to serve self or others in secular business, to divert from His altar what is dedicated, or to take money consecrated to religious purposes for personal advantage even promising to repay later, is robbery and sacrilege, so far better to cut expenses, restrict wants and live within means than use His money for secular purposes.GW 224.1–2 What God reserved belongs to Him not the giver, and must not be diverted even temporarily on promise of repayment, for taking it for personal use or secular business treats the sacred as ordinary.9T 246.4–5

Robbing God includes unjust treatment of His workers, as those who accept large wages and secure them for others while limiting poorer workers' pay without considering need press messengers into hardship.17MR 111.1–112.1 Leaders who set excessive wages and divert funds that should support the work reflect covetousness and lack of self-denial, leave the treasury short and dishonor God who sees every transaction.Ms 2, 1900, par. 7–9 Failing to pay women who labor with their husbands for their time is included, because God hates robbery for burnt offerings.7MR 391.2 Extorting money from fellow believers thereby robs the treasury and must be put right, for unrepented wrongs stand recorded in heaven.TEPD 79.2 Churches that fail to provide fairly for workers keep back rightful wages, a serious offense comparable to withholding wages elsewhere, so every member rich or poor must give as prospered that workers can be paid and missionary work advanced.5T 373.1–375.2

Priests robbed God by taking the people's offerings for themselves while public prayers, almsgiving and outward forms hid greed and lack of mercy including heavy taxes on widows.LC1 12.2 Taking the small means others possess for one's own advantage by gathering them into one's own hands robs the treasury and brings dealings down to the world's standard.4T 518.1–2 Wronging God's work and institutions through injustice and wrong management cripples the work that should prosper and brings confusion, an offense against God not merely people.Lt 18, 1901, par. 13–14 Taking money from His treasury to pay excessive wages while hard laborers receive much less is dishonest selfish robbery dishonoring His name and reflecting covetousness and idolatry.Ms 2, 1900, par. 5–6 Money extorted from one of His institutions is not rightful gain, for taking it harms the institution and obstructs His work.5MR 443.3–444.3

Taking pay from His treasury while neglecting duties for which it is given is robbing God and calls for thorough repentance.3T 559.3–560.2 Grasping funds and denying others fair compensation and means to carry out entrusted work is robbery of what belongs to God.Lt 65, 1895, par. 26–28 Taking money from His treasury for one's own pay is robbery, called idolatry especially when takers receive more while others labor harder for less.6MR 39.3 Bringing a selfish grasping spirit into office work, failing to discern its sacredness, bringing incorrect principles and working merely to secure higher wages mingles strange fire with the sacred and spreads contagiously.Ms 42, 1891, par. 14 Retaining extra wages offered to workers in trust is treated as robbery, supporting careful economy to sustain His work.Lt 63, 1894, par. 17 Taking higher wages than honest effort earned is robbing God, and plans to obtain advantage for self open the door wide to such dishonest practices.Lt 26, 1897, par. 37–38

Holding back funds that should support fellow workers laboring in needy fields through selfishly claiming excessive wages is part of the same dishonest practice.Lt 26, 1897, par. 37–38 Every dollar unjustly extorted from the cause is theft from God bringing spiritual and eternal harm.Lt 18, 1901, par. 7–8 Robbing God includes taking means not justly earned and squandering funds consecrated to advance His cause.2T 518.1 Unfaithfulness in handling funds can drain resources, burden the cause with debt, and endanger the worker's own soul by weakening discernment of right principles.Ms 24, 1894, par. 6 Funds raised for a particular part of His work must remain devoted to that purpose, and money wrongly appropriated must be restored with interest.Ms 195, 1899, par. 1–3 Pursuing dishonest gain while connected with His work violates Bible teaching and calls for removal.Lt 41, 1898, par. 39–41 Depriving the Southern field of its facilities robbed the Lord, with accountability to Him.Lt 117, 1899, par. 11–13

Robbing God includes dishonest, selfish and unfair dealing in trade and business, especially taking advantage of small facilities of His work without fair payment or return, so managers must guard incomes and outgoes that all dealing be fair on correct principles laid out straight and clear, and all naming Christ must be clean and pure doing as they would be done by, for God is greatly displeased with blind crooked devising, dickering in trade, and selfishness woven with unfairness and dishonesty, and will punish unless there is sincere repentance and thorough conversion.Ms 2, 1897, par. 15–16 Taking what belongs to God is robbery applied to amassing wealth through iniquity and greed, robbing both God and fellow beings.ST Nov 21, 1906 The rich do this by how they acquire and use means, neglecting God the great Proprietor and failing to relieve the suffering and oppressed.CH 271.3 Priests and teachers were especially guilty because charged to teach His word and serve faithfully yet greed led them to misuse what belonged to God, giving Gentiles reason to misjudge His character and kingdom.COL 292.1–3 Religious leaders who appeared devoted while appropriating offerings for themselves were outwardly pious but unfaithful.1RED 12.2

Withholding means from His work is robbing God, including holding money in farms and businesses and neglecting resources to win souls and spread the message.ST Feb 24, 1887 Leaving out any means that might labor for sinners, whether hindrance in self or hedging others' way, is robbery, including withholding money to feed and support workers, keeping back workers who could bring truth to praying souls, standing in the way of sinners left without help, and fearing one's own prospects will suffer, a fearful self-protecting motive God notes even while promising the Holy Spirit to accompany the teacher.Ms 130, 1901, par. 45 Using means to add building to building instead of devising methods to give praying souls truth is robbery, and all who have not to the extent of powers encouraged workers with words and means to go to waste places such as destitute unworked cities of the South bring rebuke and must give account.16MR 202.3–4 Those entrusted with abundance are stewards not owners and must share to meet fellow workers' needs and advance other fields, for keeping means under own control through covetousness fails that trust.Lt 10, 1899, par. 1–12

To withhold tithes and offerings and neglect solemn pledges is to rob God, and dissembling and covetousness in dealing with God is one of the greatest sins, requiring faithful prompt payment by rich and poor with only utter inability excusing neglect.ST Jan 29, 1880 Thinking withholding is gain is deception bringing His curse, while bringing tithes into the storehouse frees institutions from embarrassment and carries forward missionary work, and indifference shows blindness and unworthiness of the Christian name.ST Jan 29, 1880 Pretending to meet requirements while keeping back what is due is fraud and hypocrisy, for when a further gift is vowed the consecrated portion is no longer theirs to withhold.RH Feb 2, 1911 The warning applies to all generations, for covetousness leads people to keep back what they promised while pretending duty, but God detects hidden sin and will not be mocked.AA 73.4–74.1 Dishonesty in temporal matters bears corrupt fruit, so the unfaithful in earthly things will also withhold from God.STB 785.1+1

The prophecy has special application to the last days, the most important time, teaching that withholding tithes and offerings is robbing God and that His people are to give a proportion of substance and possessions as a freewill offering, not merely by speaking or praying in meetings.RH Apr 20, 1905+2 Money used to buy and sell and get gain becomes a curse when what belongs to the Lord is withheld, and honesty toward the Lord and His work requires that entrusted means be used to send the gospel to all parts of the world.RH Apr 20, 1905 Neglect in returning to the Lord His own is to be confessed with humble hearts, and when His people return His own He will impart His goods to the faithful so they may do still more for His work.RH Apr 20, 1905 This call must now be brought home to every soul because the last years of probation are fast closing and the great day of the Lord is at hand, with going away from ordinances bringing a curse upon the whole nation and return meaning bringing all the tithes into the storehouse for good to turn the soul from sin to righteousness.6T 446.3–447.1

The verse stands in the warning that the Lord is soon to come and that there must be a refining, winnowing process with transformation of character in every church.Lt 15, 1892, par. 10–12 Wicked men who do not love truth or honor God are among the people, and putting on the beautiful garments of Christ's righteousness will reveal who are vessels unto honor to receive the latter rain and who continue in sin, blinded, accepting Satan's delusions near the close of earth's history.Lt 15, 1892, par. 10–12 Those who have received great light must humble themselves before God and confess sins for His promises of blessing to be fulfilled, for He does not support those who depart from truth and righteousness.Lt 223, 1904, par. 26–28 The charge applies now, with many Seventh-day Adventists robbing God in tithes and offerings, bringing the stated curse on the whole nation upon withholders and blessing on those who bring tithes with a call to prove Him for opened windows of heaven and blessing without room to receive it.Lt 223, 1904, par. 26–28+1 Any suggestion to withhold tithes and offerings is not from the Lord, and teaching that tithes should not be paid leaves the straight path at a solemn, holy time near the end.RCNBP 14.2

The tithing system is one of God's claims upon His people and an essential matter of truth belonging to thorough conversion, where accepting it belongs to conversion and refusing it is drawing back, being offended at the word, and no longer walking with believers.GW 369.2–3 The duty to pay tithe must be taught faithfully and thoroughly by the first messenger of truth to new converts, not left undone because disagreeable nor left for a later minister, lest hearers say it was not so taught them, hesitate, and turn away.GW 369.2–3 God is better pleased to have six thoroughly converted and instructed in tithing than sixty make profession without true conversion.GW 369.2–3 Holding back tithes and offerings is robbing God, a crime of eternal danger coming from selfishness and worldliness.Ms 33, 1912, par. 14 Presidents, ministers, and other conference laborers must impress the character of this crime and educate every member rich or poor to give as prospered, for where done with devotion and burden for the work God blesses labor with fruit in souls, while where neglected ministers fail in duty, the treasury stays empty, honest debts to workers go unpaid, missionary work is hindered, souls are left in danger of eternal ruin, watchmen are guilty, and Satan exults.Ms 33, 1912, par. 14

Unfaithfulness in tithing gives newly converted believers an excuse for unfaithfulness, and withholding the tithe and refusing to pay is withholding what belongs to Him.Lt 112, 1896, par. 5–8+1 Failure to heed the call to return His portion while keeping the rest reflects a heart distracted by worldly concerns and money-loving selfish calculations, a defect of character and spiritual deception to be corrected.Ms 35, 1891, par. 37–38+1 Keeping back tithes and offerings for gain is dishonest practice, and when truth is practiced this robbery stops together with contention about who is greatest and strife for supremacy, for faithfulness belongs to obedience to all commandments which cherishes love bringing peace and joy into the family and honors the Redeemer.Ms 97, 1901, par. 22–23 The teaching on tithing is plain truth that can reach hearts that do not see the system or duty, including a church member able to pay who had paid no tithe, and selfishness with failure to follow the system is part of a sinful course as seen when appeal on the subject deeply convicted Cooley.Lt 112, 1896, par. 5–8+1 Failure of nominal members does not justify disparaging the church.Ms 35, 1891, par. 37–38

In the day of judgment men will see the robbery practiced toward God as apostasy from the Creator, knowing God's claims yet refusing His Word, utterly refusing to be made better through Christ, using for self the power given for God's service, making self god and refusing other control, uniting by choice with demons, deceiving themselves and becoming contemptible while seeing the good they might have become and done but did not do.Ms 37, 1900, par. 5 Everyone who withholds service must answer to the charge of robbing God in the judgment, for God has right to every soul's service, neglected duties remain binding though almost forgotten, His requirements are no less than ever, and disobedience will be punished in proportion to light given.Lt 21a, 1893, par. 9–11 Stewards who betray the cause or allow institutions and property to be harmed are accountable if they fail to do all they can to protect them, and those who rob God must answer for it.Lt 18, 1901, par. 17–19 Robbing God includes burying His talents where they cannot be improved, withholding capital of money and ability instead of advancing His work, losing months through failure to discern deficiencies, idleness, criticism and complaining, sacrificing His property and time, leaving double burdens on others while refusing to work unless personally benefited, and planting a selfish example by grasping for wages or doing nothing that harms other workers.Ms 2, 1897, par. 7–8

It includes Edson's persistent choice to follow own inclinations and disregard given light, disappointing the Saviour, and Asa's failure to serve God despite fairness and honesty toward men, showing ingratitude for abilities and gifts, self-righteousness, and failure to recognize need of the Saviour and Christ's sacrifice.Ms 23, 1868, par. 2–4+1 It includes Cooley's selfishness and failure to follow the tithing system as part of a sinful course that brought deep conviction, and Michigan believers retaining tithes for themselves instead of supporting cause and work, called selfishness and covetousness.Lt 37, 1874, par. 9–12+1 Withholding what is due His cause warns not to cling to earthly treasure instead of giving, especially when life is drawing to a close.Lt 125, 1886, par. 10 Withholding gifts due to God is robbing Him and calls for willing generous giving, applied to donations for the work in the South through the October offerings.Lt 296, 1907, par. 2 Presenting the appeal to bring tithes and freewill offerings at the right time can awaken people to recognize neglect, while delay in giving reflects unbelief and need of the Holy Spirit's quickening.Lt 174, 1898, par. 3