Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

but it leads to poverty." (Proverbs 11:24). The apostle Paul teaches
the same lesson in the New Testament: "He who sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully. ... God is able to make all grace abound toward you,
that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an
abundance for every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
God intended that Israel would be light bearers to all the earth.
The Lord has decreed that the spreading of light and truth in the
earth will depend on the witness and offerings of those who have
received the heavenly gift. He could have made angels the
ambassadors of His truth, but in His love and wisdom He invited
men and women to become co-workers with Himself, by choosing
them to do this work.
In the days of Israel the tithe and freewill offerings were
needed to maintain the divine service. Should the people of God in
this age give less? Christ laid down the principle that our offerings
to God should be in proportion to the light and privileges that are
ours. "Everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be
required." (Luke 12:48). "Freely you have received, freely give."
(Matthew 10:8). Since we have before us the matchless sacrifice of
the glorious Son of God, shouldn't our gratitude reveal itself in more
generous gifts?
The work of the gospel, as it grows wider, requires greater
financial support to support it than was called for anciently. This
makes the law of tithes and offerings even more crucial today. If
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