SUPPLIED BY: Rhonda Hylegar
SOURCE: Adventist Home pgs. 368-369 (Chapter 60 - Stewards of God)
Systematic Giving for the Family
"Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him." Every member of the family, from the oldest down to the youngest, may take part in this work of benevolence. . . . The plan of systematic benevolence [NOTE: REFERENCE IS HERE MADE TO PLANS FOLLOWED EARLY BY THE CHURCH IN LAYING ASIDE WEEKLY THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS.-- COMPILERS.] 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.
Every week the demands of God upon each family are brought to mind by each of its members fully carrying out the plan; and as they have denied themselves some superfluity in order to have means to put into the treasury, lessons of value in self-denial for the glory of God have been impressed upon the heart. Once a week each is brought face to face with the doings of the past week-- the income that he might have had if he had been economical, and the means that he does not have because of indulgence. His conscience is reined up, as it were, before God and either commends or accuses him. He learns that if he retains peace of mind and the favour of God, he must eat and drink and dress to His glory.