Article July 27, 1929 Issue

"Will a man rob God?"

SARAH F. MILLIGAN

In the third chapter of Malachi occurs a startling question, followed by a startling accusation. The verse reads: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

Before we dismiss these words from our thoughts with the possible comment that they apply to people and conditions of a bygone age, let us be very sure that they may not be applied with equal appropriateness to ourselves. On page 595 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy defines the word "tithe" in part as follows: "Contribution; tenth part; homage; gratitude." In the Church Manual (p. 122) she designates a definite time and place for the bringing in of such contributions. There we find that the order of service for the Wednesday meetings provides that there shall be "experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science." Could instructions be plainer? Here is a specified opportunity to bring in our tithes, our contributions, our homage, our gratitude.

The questions for every member of a branch church or society to consider are: Am I following these instructions? Am I giving my proportionate share to these services? This is not hard to determine when we realize that there are fifty-two Wednesday evening meetings held during the year by each church. Then let us recall how many times out of these fifty-two we have brought in our contribution. Some will be able to recall many; some, less; and some, none!

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