Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Systematic Benevolence 213recorded in heaven, and they were cursed in their harvest and theirflocks just as they withheld. Some were visited with affliction in theirfamilies. God would not accept a lame offering. It must be withoutblemish, the best of their flocks, and the best fruits of their fields. Andit must be a freewill offering, if they would have the blessing of theLord rest upon their families and their possessions.The case of Ananias and Sapphira was presented before me toillustrate the course of those who put down their property below itsvalue. They pretended to make a freewill offering of their possessionsto the Lord. Said Peter: “Tell me whether ye sold the land for somuch?” The answer was: “Yea, for so much.” Some in this evil agewould not consider that a lie. But the Lord regarded it thus. They hadsold it for so much, and much more. They had professed to consecrateall to God. To Him they had dissembled, and their retribution lingerednot.I saw that in the arrangement of systematic benevolence, heartswill be tested and proved. It is a constant, living test. It brings oneto understand his own heart, to see whether the truth or the love ofthe world predominates. Here is a test for the naturally selfish andcovetous. They will put down their possessions at very low figures.Here they dissemble. Said the angel: “Cursed be he that doeth the [222]work of the Lord deceitfully.” Angels are watching the developmentof character, and the acts of such are carried to heaven by the heavenlymessengers. Some will be visited of God for these things, and theirincrease will be brought down to their figures. “There is that scattereth,and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet,but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and hethat watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:24, 25.All are required to have an interest in this work. Those who usetobacco, tea, and coffee should lay aside those idols, and put their costinto the treasury of the Lord. Some have never made a sacrifice for thecause of God, and are asleep as to what God requires of them. Someof the very poorest will have the greatest struggle to deny themselvesof these stimulants. This individual sacrifice is not required becausethe cause of God is suffering for means. But every heart will be tested,every character developed. It is principle that God’s people must actupon. The living principle must be carried out in the life.