The Mission

Should Followers of Christ Give Less?

The liberality that God required of the Hebrews was mainly to benefit their own nation. Today Christ has given His followers the responsibility of taking the good news of salvation to the world. Our obligations are much greater than ancient Israel’s were. As God’s work spreads, calls for help will come more frequently. Christians should obey the command, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house” (Malachi 3:10). If professing Christians would faithfully bring their tithes and offerings to God, there would be no need to resort to fairs, lotteries, or parties of pleasure to raise funds. 4TC 175.5

Many church members do not hesitate to spend extravagantly to gratify their appetite, adorn themselves, or embellish their homes. But when they are asked to give to the Lord’s treasury, they object and dole out an amount much less than they often spend for things they don’t need. They show no real love for Christ’s service, no deep interest in the salvation of others. The Christian life of such people is no more than a dwarfed, sickly existence! 4TC 176.1

Anyone whose heart glows with the love of Christ will find it a pleasure to help in advancing the highest, holiest work committed to mankind—presenting to the world the riches of truth. The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. This spirit finds its highest expression in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The Father gave His only Son, and Christ gave Himself, so that we could be saved. The cross of Calvary should appeal to the generosity of every follower of the Savior. The principle illustrated there is to give, give. 4TC 176.2

The spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan. The principle illustrated in the lives of people without Christ is to get, get. But the fruit they harvest is misery and death. 4TC 176.3