Accountability on the part of Faithful Tithers and Offertory Givers
The churches must arouse. The members must awake out of sleep and begin to inquire, How is the money which we put into the treasury being used? The Lord desires that a close search be made. Are all satisfied with the history of the work for the past fifteen years? Where is the evidence of the co-working with God? Where has been heard throughout the churches the prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit? Dissatisfied and disheartened, we turn away from the scene. {The Kress Collection, Page 120 paragraph 3}
“God desires to bring men into direct relation with Himself. EVERY MAN HAS BEEN MADE A STEWARD OF SACRED TRUSTS; EACH IS TO DISCHARGE HIS TRUST ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF THE GIVER; AND BY EACH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS STEWARDSHIP MUST BE RENDERED TO GOD. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO INVEST THIS MEANS OURSELVES.” Testimonies for the Church Volume 7 pages176-177.
“Do we individually realize our true position, that as God’s hired servants we are not to bargain away our stewardship? WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY BEFORE THE HEAVENLY UNIVERSE, TO ADMINISTER THE TRUST COMMITTED US OF GOD.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers pages 361-362
“Some men or councils may say, ‘THAT IS JUST WHAT WE WISH YOU TO DO. THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WILL TAKE YOUR CAPITAL, AND WILL APPROPRIATE IT FOR THIS VERY OBJECT.’ BUT THE LORD HAS MADE US INDIVIDUALLY HIS STEWARDS. WE EACH HOLD A SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO INVEST THIS MEANS OURSELVES. A PORTION IT IS RIGHT TO PLACE IN THE TREASURY TO ADVANCE THE GENERAL INTERESTS OF THE WORK; BUT THE STEWARD OF MEANS WILL NOT BE GUILTLESS BEFORE GOD, UNLESS, SO FAR AS HE IS ABLE TO DO THIS, HE SHALL USE THAT MEANS AS CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL REVEAL THE NECESSITY. We should be ready to help the suffering, and to set in operation plans to advance the truth in various ways. It is not in the province of the Conference or Any Other Organization to relieve us of this stewardship. If you lack wisdom, go to God; ask him for yourself, then work with an eye single to his glory.
“BY EXERCISING YOUR JUDGMENT, BY GIVING WHERE YOU SEE THERE IS NEED IN ANY LINE OF THE WORK, YOU ARE PUTTING OUT YOUR MONEY TO THE EXCHANGERS. IF YOU SEE IN ANY LOCALITY THAT THE TRUTH IS GAINING A FOOTHOLD, AND THERE IS NO PLACE OF WORSHIP, THEN DO SOMETHING TO MEET THE NECESSITY. BY YOUR OWN ACTION ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO ACT, IN BUILDING A HUMBLE HOUSE FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD. Have an interest in the work in all parts of the field.
“While it is not your own property that you are handling yet you are made responsible for its wise investment, for its use or abuse. God does not lay upon you the burden of asking the Conference or any council of men whether you shall use your means as you see fit to advance the work of God in destitute towns and cities, and impoverished localities. If the right plan had been followed, so much means would not have been used in some localities, and so little in other places where the banner of truth has not been raised. We are Not to Merge Our Individuality of Judgment Into Any Institution IN OUR WORLD. We are to look to God for wisdom, as did Daniel.” 1888 MESSAGES pages 1442-1444
