Foreword

We are running out of time! For over 160 years, this old planet has been ripe for Christ’s return in the clouds of glory. What should be our focus at this late hour? Surely the heavenly Canaan—and how to prepare ourselves and others to be there.

Our topic of study for this quarter is a continuation of Christian Stewardship. While on earth, Jesus met a man who claimed to have kept all Ten Commandments from his youth. “Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21).

Are we laying up treasure in heaven? Or, like the rich young ruler, may we be outwardly keeping the Ten Commandments while lacking true heart service for the Master? All that God has given us belongs to Him, and we must make provision for this before our probation closes. Yet, “without obedience and unselfish love, the richest offerings are too meager to be presented to the Possessor of all things” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 57). It is God’s purpose that His children overcome selfishness and fulfill His plan for the evangelization of the earth. He is now preparing a people to do this work—and it will be done whether or not everyone takes hold of the privilege of being involved.

“God calls for men to give the warning to the world that is asleep, dead in trespasses and sins. He calls for freewill offerings from those whose hearts are in the work, who have a burden for souls, that they shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men. He is seeking to secure means, that he may bind it up, so that it shall not be used in advancing the missionary enterprises. Shall we be ignorant of his devices? Shall we allow him to stupefy our senses?”—Ibid., vol. 6, p. 446.

“For what shall we hoard up treasures? To be swept away by the flames of the last day? Shall we lay up gold and silver, to be a witness against us in the Judgment–to eat our flesh as it were fire? Shall we cling to our possessions till they fall into the hands of our enemies? The time is coming when commandment keepers can neither buy nor sell. Of what use will houses and lands, bank stock and merchandise, be to us then? Now is the time to place our treasures where they will be eternally secure. . . . That which we give to the cause of God becomes our own forever. Says Christ, ‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven’ (Matthew 6:20). These alone, of all that we possess, are really ours. All that we lay up on earth, we must leave at last. It is only what we give for Christ that we can take with us into the eternal world.”—The Review and Herald, December 6, 1887. [Author’s italics.]

SABBATH, APRIL 7, 2012

First Sabbath Offering for a chapel in Pindorama, Brazil

“Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord” (Haggai 1:8). This message, written more than 2000 years ago, referring to the building of the second temple in Jerusalem, is still in force today.

The building of lighthouses where the message for this last period of God’s church must be preached is a real necessity.

“When an interest is aroused in any town or city, that interest should be followed up. The place should be thoroughly worked, until a humble house of worship stands as a sign, a memorial of God's Sabbath, a light amid the moral darkness. These memorials are to stand in many places as witnesses to the truth. God in His mercy has provided that the messengers of the gospel shall go to all countries, tongues, and peoples, until the standard of truth shall be established in all parts of the inhabited world.

“Wherever a company of believers is raised up, a house of worship should be built. Let not the workers leave the place without accomplishing this.”—Gospel Workers, p. 431.

A group of missionary-minded brethren started a congregation in Pindorama (near Mogi das Cruzes), approximately 50 kilometers from São Paulo. As the interest and the number of attendants increased, the need to build a house of worship became evident. In this place a small group of brethren are working in the medical missionary lines with success. We hope to have our own chapel in the near future.

To fulfill this goal, we are requesting a special help from our brethren and sisters around the world to contribute with a liberal offering which will make possible the building of the chapel. Please remember this special collection of the offering during the first Sabbath of April.

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7).

Our heartfelt thanks to all for your timely support.

Your brethren and sisters from Pindorama

The General Conference Sabbath School Department