7/23/2018 - Section 104:60-86

July 23, 2018

Section 104:60-86

Sacred Treasures of Thoughts and Knowledge, Humility, Tithes and Offerings Given Promptly, Draw Near Unto Me,

In v’s 60-70, the Lord commands that two treasuries be created: one for sacred things, and one for monies that come into the church, or increase that come to the saints. If I take this scripture to heart, I need to do the same things. This, and my other scripture journals and well as my personal journals, and probably my family letters in the “Waits Family Lifetime Correspondence” blog combine to make up my ‘treasury for sacred things’. And then there is the “sacred treasury” that I take to mean my church contribution. The advice the Lord gave to the saints then is in v 68: “And all moneys that you receive in your stewardships…shall be cast into the treasury as fast as you receive moneys, by hundreds, or by fifties, or by twenties, or by tens, or by fives.” I used to wonder if I should pay donations at the end of the year, since we have tithing settlement at that time. But I can see that by paying tithing immediately, I am ever made aware of the financial blessings that come our way. And expressing my gratitude to the Lord is something I don’t do nearly enough. Paying tithes and offerings throughout the year is good for ME.

Then there is v 75 which speaks to us about our stewardship: “ But so long as he is in full fellowship and is faithful and wise in his stewardship, this shall be his token unto the treasurer that the treasurer shall not withhold.” I see this as the Lord telling us just how to have the greatest possible number of blessings flowing into our life. I read on to v 79: “And it is my will that you shall humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence ad humility and the prayer of faith.” The Lord wants to shower blessings on us, but he also wants us to realize that these blessings are coming from him. Like any relationship, our closeness with Heavenly Father comes from drawing near to him—and by doing that, we should be better able to see and feel when he is drawing near to us. That is the circle of love and friendship. That is how we should see and react with our Father in heaven.

The student manual brought out another facet to that verse: “Very often when individuals face a great challenge in life, they attempt to work it out through their own efforts. Such self-reliance is commendable, but there is another principle that may apply, and that is reliance on the Lord.” I need to be close to the Lord in good times as well as difficult times.