Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

162 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[170]offense unto them. Then all opportunities will be past for using theirsubstance to the glory of God, and in anguish of spirit they will castit from them to the moles and to the bats. Their gold and their silvercannot save them in that day. It falls upon them with crushing weight,that an account must be given of their stewardship, what use they havemade of their Lord’s money. Self-love made them believe that it wasall their own, and that they might want it all; but they then feel, bitterlyfeel and understand, that their means was only lent them of God, tobe freely returned by being used to advance His cause. Their richesdeceived them. They felt poor and lived for themselves, and at lastthey will find that the portion they might have used for God’s cause isa terrible burden.Said the angel of God: “Lay all upon the altar, a living, consumingsacrifice. Bind it with cords, if you cannot keep it there. Give yourselvesto prayer. Live at the altar. Strengthen your purposes by thepromises of God.” “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselvesbags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that failethnot, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” “Lay not upfor yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselvestreasures in heaven.”I saw that if God had given you wealth above the plainest andpoorest, it should humble you, for it lays you under greater obligations.Where much is given, even of a worldly substance, much will berequired. Upon this principle you are bound to possess noble, generousdispositions. Seek for opportunities to do good with what you have.“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”I saw that the least that has been required of Christians in pastdays, is to possess a spirit of liberality, and to consecrate to the Lord aportion of all their increase. Every true Christian has considered this aprivilege, but some who have borne the name only, have considered ita task; the grace and love of God had never wrought in them the goodwork, or they would gladly have advanced the cause of their Redeemer.But Christians who are living in the last days, and who are waiting fortheir Lord, are required to do even more than this. God requires themto sacrifice.