T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S cannot get rid of thorns and thistles and weeds. God cursed Satan and the curse in cludes all of Satan’s children. God’s curse is upon the Jews and nearly two thousand years of suffering and wan dering among the nations is a standing testimony to the fact. There is no law of tithes for the church. We who are God’s children by faith in Christ’s shed blood, are on a higher plane than the Jews, but we are also under greater obligations, and this lesson affords an opportunity to em phasize this. There are obligations. (1 Cor. 9:14) ‘‘E v e n no hath the L o rd ordained that th ey w h ich preach the gospel should Use of the gospel.” Those who are taught should com municate unto the teacher. (Gal. 6 :6). The workman is worthy of his meat. (Matt. 10:10). The laborer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7). The greater part of the offerings of the Jews were voluntary— love or de votion offerings. No true follower of our Lord desires to go back to the weak and beggarly elements (Gal. 4:8, 9), but there is a law which should govern us— the law of stewardship. What we have is of God (Jas. 1:17) ‘‘E v e ry good g ift and every perfect g ift 1» from above, and cometb down from the F a th e r of lig h ts , w ith w hom Is no v a rla - oleness neither shadow of tu rn in g .” We are simply God's stewards, and stewards are expected to minister (1 Pet. 4:10) “ An e ve ry m an h ath received the g ift, even ao m in iste r the same one to another, ** «rood stew ards o f the m anifold grass O I G o d . ” (Luke 12:48) . , “F o ‘ « » * o whom soever mneb is give n , of n lm »h a ll be m uch re q u ire d ; and to w hom m en have comm itted m uch, of h im w ill th e y ask the mores” The Mormons are compelled to give one-tenth. They are under the law of their church. God has His rights that even sinners should recognize. “ The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof” (Psa. .24 :1 ). “ The silver la
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mine and the gold la mine, aaltb. tka Lord” (Haggal 2 :8). “ Behold, all aouls are mine” (Ezek. 18:4). God gives. He entrusts, but He holds us responsible. Our government Illus trates authority and accountability In the Income tax. We are compelled to keep accurate account for the govern ment. Why not for God? Why not keep books? God does. Why not have a dally account and credit God with ycur In come; your position as children of God; your faith; His promises; His blessings of joy, of the privilege of service? Then charge Him with your gifts for the church, for missions, for objects which are for Hls glory? Try It. Would you show a better account than did the Jews? Could He say to you, were He to speak to you, “ You are a robber” ? Listen to Him: “ Bring in the tithes and offerings. Prove me.” Do you want blessings? He opened the heavens to flood the earth. He can open the heavens to water the parched earth. He opened the heavens to send the announcement of Christ’s birth. He opened the heavens for Stephen. How shall we give? Liberally (2 Cor. 9:7; Phile. 14. In simplicity (Rom. 12:8). Methodically (1 Cor. 16:2). Proportionately (2 Cor. 8’.12). Liber ally (Prov. 11:24, 25; Eccl. 11:1; Luke 6:38 and 2 Cor. 9 :6). (3) THE CERTAIN REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS, vs. 16-18. “ They shall be mine . . . I will spare them." . Here is a heavenly picture of the saints of God, In loving fellowship, bearing testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord as did Nehemlah and Daniel In the days when corrupt priests and preachers denied God’s authority and Word; standing for the faith, defend ing His Ho’y Scriptures, having a godly fear o f God, and for the church. In a corrupt age (Matt. 24:12) • “ And because in iq u ity shall abound, the love ot m a n y shall w a x cold.”
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