Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

connected with his own business. The man who will rob God is cultivating
traits of character that will cut him off from admittance into the family of
God above.
God Evaluates Gifts by the Love Which Prompts the Sacrifice
In the balances of the sanctuary the gifts of the poor, made from love to
Christ, are not estimated according to the amount given, but according to the
love which prompts the sacrifice. The promises of Jesus will as surely be
realized by the liberal poor man, who has but little to offer, but who gives
that little freely, as by the wealthy man who gives of his abundance. The
poor man makes a sacrifice of his little, which he really feels. He really
denies himself of some things that he needs for his own comfort, while the
wealthy man gives of his abundance, and feels no want, denies himself
nothing that he really needs. Therefore there is a sacredness in the poor man's
offering that is not found in the rich man's gift, for the rich give of their
abundance. God's providence has arranged the entire plan of systematic
benevolence for the benefit of man. His providence never stands still. If
God's servants follow His opening providence, all will be active workers.
The offerings of little children may be acceptable and pleasing to God.
In accordance with the spirit that prompts the gifts will be the value of the
offering. The poor, by following the rule of the apostle and laying by a small
sum every week, help to swell the treasury, and their gifts are wholly
acceptable to God; for they make just as great, and even greater, sacrifices
than their more wealthy brethren. The plan of systematic benevolence will
prove a safeguard to every family against temptations to spend means for
needless things, and especially will it prove a blessing to the rich by guarding
them from indulging in extravagances.
The reward of whole-souled liberality is the leading of mind and heart to
a closer fellowship with the Spirit.
363