The Faith I Live By

An Aroused Conscience, June 4

Talents for All

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:34. FLB 161.1

A decided advancement in spirituality, piety, charity, and activity, has been made ... in the ----- church. Discourses were preached on the sin of robbing God in tithes and offerings.... FLB 161.2

Many confessed that they had not paid tithes for years; and we know that God cannot bless those who are robbing Him, and that the church must suffer in consequence of the sin of its individual members.... FLB 161.3

One brother said that for two years he had not paid his tithes, and he was in despair; but as he confessed his sin, he began to gather hope. “What shall I do?” he asked. FLB 161.4

I said, “Give your note to the treasurer of the church; that will be businesslike.” FLB 161.5

He thought that was a rather strange request; but he sat down, and began to write, “For value received, I promise to pay—” He looked up, as if to say, Is that the proper form in which to write out a note to the Lord? FLB 161.6

“Yes,” he continued, “for value received. Have I not been receiving the blessings of God day after day? Have not the angels guarded me? Has not the Lord blessed me with all spiritual and temporal blessings? For value received, I promise to pay the sum of $571.50 to the church treasurer.” After doing all he could do on his part, he was a happy man. In a few days he took up his note, and paid his tithe into the treasury. He had also made a Christmas donation of $125. FLB 161.7

Another brother gave a note for $1,000, expecting to meet it in a few weeks; and another gave a note for $300.... FLB 161.8

If you have robbed the Lord, make restitution. As far as possible, make the past right, and then ask the Saviour to pardon you. Will you not return to the Lord His own, before this year, with its burden of record, has passed into eternity? ^{7Counsels on Stewardship, 95-98.} FLB 161.9