LYING

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 18, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 12

The following article, taken from one of the papers of the day, declares the same fact that Adventists have been preaching since 1844; namely, that there has been a great declension in morality and integrity in the religious world, in accordance with Rev. 14:8.

J. R. C.

The case of Ananias and Sapphira was remarkable for the rapidity of the judgment which followed their sin. If those were the only individuals who lied to the Lord by keeping back a part of the price, that was a model church. If a similar judgment were visited upon some churches to-day, there would not be enough of the living to bury the dead. This is startling language, but it is true.

Let us examine a few of many similar cases. First, a church hired a minister at a certain salary, which, if he had had all of it, would have been only sufficient to have supported his family and paid his debts. At the close of the year a large amount was due. A donation was made. Oats, which could be bought for 30 cents, cash, were contributed and charged 45 cents. A can of dried fruit, about a pound, worth at the grocer's 10 cents, was charged 60 cents. Some old towels, almost worn out, worth when new, perhaps 15 cents, were charged 25 cents, and all other things accordingly. Did they lie when thus they paid an honestly contracted debt?

Another church hired a minister at a given salary. At the close of the year they were behind. He generously gave them one-half the amount. They promised to raise the remainder at once, and forward. He went to another field of labor. He waited for the money honestly his due. It never came. Did they lie to the Lord?

In another case a minister was secured at a certain salary. Each member pledged a given amount. The minister was plain, and preached the truth. Many were offended, and one after another refused to pay their dues. Did they lie?

Still another church engaged a minister at a given salary. The membership were all pledged to pay. At the close of the year they were behind. Seeing that the minister was in need, and thinking the amount paid was a very small salary to be reported in conference, they pledged themselves to raise the balance and send to the minister, and requested the minister to report the same to conference. After this was done the minister moved to another field of labor, and waited, but in vain, for his dues. He has turned the claim over to be settled in the Judgment. Did they lie?

Such churches have great “revivals” and large additions, and boast of the number of conversions, but yet have never settled those debts. To what are they converted? Does the religion of Jesus Christ make men honest? Reader, pause: these are solemn truths. Are you one of the guilty ones? God knows, and the Judgment day will reveal. It is far too common a sin to be overlooked. It is a serious matter when we come to consider that the account will stand charged against us at the last. Our obligations to pay church debts are just as sacred as any other, and it would be just as honorable for a man to refuse to pay a bank note because of some slight grievance on the part of the holder, as to refuse to meet all his just obligations to the church of Christ.