God’s requirements come first. We are not doing His will if we consecrate to Him what is left of our income after all our imaginary wants have been supplied. Before any part of our earnings is consumed, we should take out and present to Him that portion which He claims. In the old dispensation an offering of gratitude was kept continually burning upon the altar, thus showing man’s endless obligation to God. If we have prosperity in our secular business, it is because God blesses us. A part of this income is to be devoted to the poor, and a large portion to be applied to the cause of God. When that which God claims is rendered to Him, the remainder will be sanctified and blessed to our own use. But when a man robs God by withholding that which He requires, His curse rests upon the whole. {4T 477.1}

Guds fordringer kommer i første række. Vi efterkommer ikke hans vilje ved at give ham, hvad der bliver tilovers af vor indtægt. når alle indbildte fornødenheder er tilvejebragt, Inden nogen del af vor fortjeneste er brugt, bør vi fraskille og overgive til Herren den del, han Kræver. I den gamle pagts tid brændte der stedse et takoffer på alteret, en fremstilling af menneskets endeløse forpligtelse over for Gud. Dersom vi har fremgang i vor timelige gerning, skyldes det, at Gud velsigner os. En del af vor indtægt bør helliges til de fattige og en stor del skal bruges til Guds sag, Når vi giver Gud, hvad han kræver, vil han hellige og velsigne resten til vort eget brug. Men når et menneske bedrager Gud ved at tilbageholde det, som han gør Krav på, hviler hans forbandelse over det hele.