Testimony Treasures, Volume 1 - Ellen G. White

Institutions that are God's instruments to carry forward His work on the
earth must be sustained. Churches must be erected, schools established, and
publishing houses furnished with facilities for doing a great work in the
publication of the truth to be sent to all parts of the world. These institutions
are ordained of God and should be sustained by tithes and liberal offerings.
As the work enlarges, means will be needed to carry it forward in all its
branches. Those who have been converted to the truth and been made
partakers of His grace may become co-workers with Christ by making
voluntary sacrifices and freewill offerings to Him. And when the members of
the church wish in their hearts that there would be no more calls for means,
they virtually say that they are content that the cause of God shall not
progress.
Experience of Jacob
"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep
me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my
God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of
all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee." Genesis
28:20-22. The circumstances which prompted Jacob to vow to the Lord were
similar to those which prompt men and women to vow to the Lord in our
time. He had by a sinful act obtained the blessing which he knew had been
promised him by the sure word of God. In doing this he showed great lack of
faith in God's power to carry out His purposes, however discouraging present
appearances might be. Instead of placing himself in the position he coveted,
he was obliged to flee for his life from the wrath of Esau. With only his staff
in his hand he must travel hundreds of miles through a desolate country. His
courage was gone, and he was filled with remorse and timidity, seeking to
avoid men, lest he should be traced by his angry brother. He had not the
peace of God to comfort him, for he was harrassed with the thought that he
516