Some will pronounce this one of the rigorous laws binding upon the Hebrews. But this was not a burden to the willing heart that loved God. It was only when their selfish natures were strengthened by withholding that men lost sight of eternal considerations and valued their earthly treasures above souls. There are even more urgent necessities upon the Israel of God in these last days than were upon ancient Israel. There is a great and important work to be accomplished in a very short time. God never designed that the law of the tithing system should be of no account among His people; but, instead of this, He designed that the spirit of sacrifice should widen and deepen for the closing work. {3T 396.1}

(396) Nogle vil betegne dette som en af de strenge love, der var bindende for hebræerne. Men dette var ikke en byrde for det villige hjerte, der elskede Gud. Det var kun, når deres egoistiske natur styrkedes ved at holde noget tilbage, at menneskene tabte evige hensyn af syne og tillagde deres jordiske skatte højere værdi end sjæle. Guds Israel i disse sidste dage står over for endnu mere tvingende krav, end tilfældet var med Israel fordum. Der er en stor og vigtig gerning, der skal udføres i løbet af en meget kort tid. Gud havde aldrig til hensigt, at loven om tiendesystemet skulle være uden betydning for hans folk; det var tværtimod hans mening, at opofrelsens ånd skulle udvides og uddybes til det afsluttende værk.