Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 25, 1902

The Sin of Withholding Tithes and Offerings

February 20, 1902 [typed]

Previously unpublished.

Today how many are reading and heeding the message given in the last two chapters of Malachi? Many have robbed God, retaining the tithe money, which belongs to Him. Because they have refused to return to Him that which is His own, His work has been retarded. The money that should have filled His treasury has been sparingly brought in, and consequently the work that ought to have been done has not been done. The gospel has not yet been preached to many of the poor, the needy, and the broken-hearted. 17LtMs, Ms 25, 1902, par. 1

The Lord has marked every such robbery of His treasury. In that day when every account shall be brought up for settlement, all will be rewarded according to their works. “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 17LtMs, Ms 25, 1902, par. 2

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Malachi 3:7-12.] 17LtMs, Ms 25, 1902, par. 3

How can the families that withhold from God the tithes and the offerings that should be given to sustain His work in the world offer up their prayers in faith? How can they remain innocent of the blood of souls, when because of unfaithful stewardship they allow many to die in ignorance of the truth? How can they deny that they have robbed God, when He withholds His blessing from them? What can they say, when the curse of God is pronounced upon them, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation”? [Verse 9.] 17LtMs, Ms 25, 1902, par. 4