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Use Abilities and Means for God’s Glory, March 12
To all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. Matthew 25:29, NRSV. BLJ 80.
There always has been, and there always will be, diversity of gifts. It is not the great gifts alone that God requires and accepts, but He calls for the smaller talents, and will accept them if men and women will use them to His glory. Have we not become servants of the Master by His grace? It is not, then, our own property that is entrusted to us, but the Lord’s talents. The capital is His, and we are responsible for its use or its abuse. BLJ 80.2
I hope efforts will be made in every church to arouse those who are doing nothing. May God make these realize that He will require of them the one talent with improvement; and if they neglect to gain other talents besides the one, they will meet with the loss of that one talent and their own souls also. We hope to see a change in our churches. BLJ 80.
The Householder is preparing to return and call His stewards to account for the talents He has entrusted to them. God pity the do-nothings then! Those who hear the welcome plaudit “Well done, good and faithful servant” will have well done in the improvement of their abilities and means to the glory of God. Who will come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty? BLJ 80.4
Satan is active, persevering, a faithful general in his work, leading on his armies. He has his faithful sentinels everywhere. What are the servants of Jesus Christ doing? Have they the armor on? Are they vigilant and faithful to meet and resist the strong forces of the enemy? Or are they asleep, expecting another to do their work? ... BLJ 80.5T
Let all awake; for the time is at hand when it will be said, “He which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Just now is the time to seek purity and holiness of character, and obtain white robes, that we may be prepared for a seat at the marriage supper of the Lamb.—The Review and Herald, March 14, 1878. BLJ 80.6
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https://stewardship.adventist.org/
Section V 14: Use of Tithe
… the primary use for tithe is for “ministers of the gospel, pastors whose main function is to be involved in and promote the spiritual ministry of the Word.”
The policy then proceeds to provide a list of the general categories of expense that are included under the umbrella of “Gospel Ministry.”
These are:
1. Pastors, Evangelists, Ministers
2. Soul-Winning Support
3. Literature Evangelists
4. Evangelistic Activities
5. Evangelistic Equipment
6. Auditing Service and Auditing Costs
7. Bible/Religion Teachers and Spiritual Support Personnel in Schools
8. Retirement Costs
9. Housing for Personnel
Inappropriate use of tithe includes the acquisition of buildings, the purchase of equipment not used for evangelism, local church operating expenses, and school operating expenses.
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