Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

just the work that man needs, for it will stir the deepest sympathies of his
heart and call into exercise the highest capabilities of the mind.
Rightly directed benevolence draws upon the mental and moral energies
of men, and excites them to most healthful action in blessing the needy and
in advancing the cause of God.
Every opportunity to help a brother in need, or to aid the cause of God in
the spread of the truth, is a pearl that you can send beforehand and deposit in
the bank of heaven for safekeeping.
"Of Every Man That Giveth It Willingly"
The only means which God has ordained to advance His cause is to
bless men with property. He gives them the sunshine and the rain; He causes
vegetation to flourish; He gives health and ability to acquire means. All our
blessings come from His bountiful hand. In turn He would have men and
women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion in tithes and
offerings--in thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings.
The liberality of the Jews in the construction of the tabernacle and the
erection of the temple illustrates a spirit of benevolence which has not been
equaled by Christians of any later date. They had just been freed from their
long bondage in Egypt and were wanderers in the wilderness; yet scarcely
were they delivered from the armies of the Egyptians who pursued them in
their hasty journey, when the word of the Lord came to Moses, saying:
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering: of every
man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering." Exodus
25:2.
His people had small possessions and no flattering prospect of adding to
them; but an object was before them--to build a tabernacle for God. The Lord
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