It is a heaven-appointed plan that men should return
to the Lord His own; and this is so plainly stated that men and women have
no excuse for misunderstanding or evading the duties and responsibilities
God has laid upon them. Those who claim that they cannot see this to be
their duty, reveal to the heavenly universe, to the church, and to the
world that they do not want to see this plainly stated requirement. They
think that by following the Lord's plan they would detract from their own
possessions. In the covetousness of their selfish souls they desire to
have the whole capital, both principal and interest, to use for their own
benefit.
God lays His hand upon all man's possessions, saying:
I am the owner of the universe, and these goods are Mine. The tithe you
have withheld I reserve for the support of My servants in their work of
opening the Scriptures to those who are in the regions of darkness, who
do not understand My law. In using My reserve fund to gratify your own
desires you have robbed souls of the light which I made provision for them
to receive. You have had opportunity to show loyalty to Me, but you have
not done this. You have robbed Me; you have stolen My reserve fund. "Ye
are cursed with a curse." Malachi 3:9.