Abusing God's Gifts by J. N. Q.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 1, 1910

Abusing God's Gifts

By J. N. Q.

God provides for the needs of all his creatures, and provides abundantly; and if man's selfishness did not pervert God's gifts, not one of his earthly children would ever feel the pinch of want. A recent incident in this city, in which man's greed and injustice were revealed, illustrates the point. A near-by farmer shipped a load of melons to a commission dealer, expecting a fair remuneration, as the season had just opened. In a few days the mails brought to him the startling news that the melons brought but one cent each, which amount would be sent him, minus the freight. Suspecting this, trickery and fraud, he took a train to Washington, and without making his identity known, visited the dealer. He admired the melons, asked where they were raised, and what was the price. The reply was about what he expected. They were his own melons, and the price asked by the dealer was fifteen cents each. The dealer was chagrined when the man's identity was made known. That this is not an isolated case can be easily proved; and if our sense of right and justice cries out against it, how must the Creator feel when he witnesses so many denied his bounties because of such an execrable spirit as that shown by the dealer mentioned above?

J. N. Q.