Notebook Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library, vol. 1

A Gracious Invitation

Our Redeemer sends His messengers to bear a testimony to His people. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” But many refuse to receive Him, because they fear that He will be an expensive guest. The Holy Spirit waits to soften and subdue hearts, but they are not willing to open the door and let the Saviour in; for they fear that He will require something from them. And so Jesus of Nazareth passes by. He longs to bestow on them His rich blessings and gifts of grace, but they refuse to accept them. 1NL 99.7

The Lord requests His church to have a higher grade of piety, a more just sense of duty; a clear realization of their obligation to their Creator. All who will read the third chapter of Malachi will see that God calls for systematic contributions from His people. The funds so given will be abundantly blessed. If all whose names are on the church books would give to the Lord a tenth of their increase, as He has prospered them, abundant resources would swell the revenues of the church. God desires even the poorest to give their gifts, small though they may be. By giving as we have been prospered, we acknowledge God's mercy and liberality in supplying our necessities.—Manuscript 156, 1898. 1NL 100.1

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