It was said by the Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." [Acts 20:35] This means there is more happiness in giving than in receiving. This is true of all who are delivered from the dominion of the selfish principle. But how many of the professed friends of Christ do not believe his memorable declaration as repeated by Paul? The doctrine exemplified in them is that it is more blessed to receive than to give. Unhappily for them they seem not to be free from the operation of the spirit of covetousness. Hence, they furnish evidence of a fixed determination to augment their worldly possessions, and render their pecuniary resources subservient to their own gratification, rather than advancement of the Redeemer's cause. They now and then cast an insignificant pittance into the treasury of the Lord; but in so doing, they are prompted more by impulse than by principle. They give a small portion of what they can conveniently spare; but it cannot be said of them that they "honor the Lord with their substance and the first fruits of their increase." [Proverbs 3:9]

      Far be it from me to depreciate the pecuniary beneficence of the present age. Compared with preceding ages it is distinguished for its liberality. At no previous period has philanthropy originated so many enterprises and prosecuted them with so much vigor. Never before have copies of the Bible been so multiplied, or so widely circulated; for

Dialects unheard at Babel, or at Jewish Pentecost,
Now first articulate divinest sounds,
And swell the universal anthem.

      Since the apostolic times such exertions have not been made to execute the commission of the ascending Savior, "Go you into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." [Mark 16:15] Multitudes who once sat in the region and shadow of death now bask in the light of the Son of Righteousness. The knowledge of salvation is spreading, and Christian hope is looking out for still greater things.

      Some of the signs of the times are suspicious so we may thank God and take courage. Let every concession be made which truth and justice demand.

      Still it may be affirmed that Christians generally are doing little in the cause of God. This fact forces itself upon us when we institute a comparison between what they do and the full measure of their duty. We rejoice that we find here and there "devout men," who do honor to the Christian name. They "live not to themselves, but to Him who died for them and rose again." [2 Corinthians 5:15] They are deeply penetrated with the sentiment that they are the Lord's, and that all pertaining to them is his also. Acting under this impression, their contributions to the cause of benevolence are conscientiously proportioned to their ability. Such men are stars of the first magnitude in the moral heavens. Their names are recorded in the annals of beneficence, and there they will remain; for their benefactions have destined them to an earthly immorality. They have made for themselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, and will ere long be received into everlasting habitations.

      But can it be said of a large majority of professors of religion that they live habitually in the belief that they belong to God? Do they practically recognize the fact that they are bought with a price? Does the love of Christ constrain them? Do they consider themselves identified with his cause? Do they regard themselves as stewards of God? Is the truth deeply engraved on their hearts that their property is lent to them by the Supreme Proprietor of all things? And that they are required to use it for his glory? Do they view it as a talent committed to them which honesty and fidelity forbid their laying up in a napkin, or spending in such a manner as to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life? Alas for the churches that these questions cannot be answered in the affirmative. That they cannot be, is proof positive that modern piety is less thorough than that of the apostolic age. Primitive Christians gave themselves unreservedly to the Lord, and acting out that spirit of benevolence which is always involved in entire consecration to God they sold houses and lands, laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet. It does not appear that it was made obligatory on them to sell their possessions. The presumption clearly is that the matter was optional with them. But this fact strikingly illustrates the strength of Christian benevolence in its spontaneous action.

      It is a mortifying circumstance that multitudes who are called by the name of Christ, feel so little interest in the prosperity of His kingdom, that they do not make regular pecuniary contributions to promote its enlargement. They seem to forget that it is written, "To Him - the Messiah - that is to the advancement of his cause - will be given of the gold of Sheba." [Psalm 72:15] They overlook the fact that the value of money arises from its susceptibility of application to religious purposes. They do not understand the heavenly art of inscribing on every article of property they possess, "Holiness to the Lord." Hence, many of them give nothing to the cause God, and others are altogether irregular in their donations. Their contributions are made under the promptings of transient feeling, and to expect them to be systematic would betray an utter ignorance of the philosophy of impulses. - P.

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[From the Tennessee Baptist, November 26, 1859, p. 2, from CD edition of microfilm. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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