p. 174 | Stewardship by James Upham

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Apr 8, 1875

Stewardship.

By James Upham

No BEGGAR is thy God; He needs no aid, Poor child of clay! The world’s vast wealth, created by a word, Is his to-day.

Yes, but a word, and other worlds shall fill The space afar, Beyond where light has failed, with tired wings, From farthest star.

Think not to bribe a place in God’s esteem With gilt and gold, E’en though thy gifts should hungry thousands feed From stores untold:

Or structures rear, and every chair endow, For learning’s use; Or gospel heralds to the heathen send, Their bonds to loose.

God gives the work thy character to test, Or mold complete; ’Tis love, and faith, and faithfulness, He seeks— All else is cheat.

The love he asks is Godward, manward, too— The twain are one; Take heed, lest thine be sheerest love of self, Or be undone.

’Tis faith in God and all that God has spoke— A faith that works; ’Tis faith in Christ as Saviour, Teacher, King, Nor service shirks.

’Tis faithfulness from faith, nor less from love, To God and man; ’Tis faith and love co-working out in act, Where’er it can.

Dost thou bring much, and yet keep back a part? ’Tis worse than naught; ’Tis not the smile of thy approving Lord— Mere name is sought.

Hast but a mite to bring, and bringest that? With God ’tis more, Than all the millions brought with noise and pomp From hoarded stores.

He in whose eye the millions are as mites On motive looks; Each is a steward of a sacred trust— God keeps the books.

—James Upham, D. D., in Watchman and Reflector.