The Week of Sacrifice is an annually recurring occasion among us, when all our church membership—both laymen and workers—are invited to give their earnings for that week to the advancement of our work. This week is called the "Week of Sacrifice," and it is true to its name, because few of our workers and people can afford to give a week's earnings or salary without making a real sacrifice.
In his epistles to the churches, the apostle Paul frequently mentions "giving" and "sacrifice." To the church of Rome, he went so far as to urge that they present their bodies "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," and added, "which is your reasonable service." To the church at Corinth he wrote:
"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 Cor. 9:6, 7.
In the days of the apostles, the early church gave all they had for general distribution among the believers:
"The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own ; but they had all things common.... Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet : and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet." Acts 4 :32-37.
This method of giving was approved by the Holy Spirit,, as we see in the brief statement concerning Ananias and Sapphira in the fifth chapter of Acts. They professed to be living up to the practice of the believers, while keeping back a portion for themselves. In the early days many gave of their funds to a sacrificing degree to promote our own denominational work. Others raised money for the advent cause by mortgaging their homes. Some sold part of their farms that they might be able to give considerable sums to the cause of God.
This Week of Sacrifice offering is generally participated in by our working force in the field and by our institutional workers. Many who have but limited incomes, with children to educate, find that to give a week's salary is truly a sacrifice. But God has blessed such loyalty to Him in unexpected ways by both spiritual and temporal blessings. It would be indeed encouraging if all would join in giving a week's salary or income, be it much or little, at the time of this offering.
