The Lord has given His people a message for this time.
It is presented in the third chapter of Malachi. How could the Lord present
His requirements in a clearer or more forcible manner than He has done
in this chapter?
All should remember that God's claims upon us underlie
every other claim. He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which He
has made with man is that a tenth of his possessions shall be returned
to God. The Lord graciously entrusts to His stewards His treasures, but
of the tenth He says: This is Mine. Just in proportion as God has given
His property to man, so man is to return to God a faithful tithe of all
his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself.
This work involves solemn and eternal results, and
it is too sacred to be left to human impulse. We should not feel free to
deal with this matter as we choose. In answer to the claims of God, regular
reserves should be set apart as sacred to His work.