FUNDS IN THE WRONG PLACE.
By John Harvey Waggoner
ELD. Alfred Bennett of the Baptist church, traveling agent of the Missionary Union, in a time of commercial failures, when the plea of “hard times” was urged as an excuse for withholding funds from the Lord’s work, made the following striking remarks: “No one in the country had put his money into the Lord’s treasury, and failed on that account. In all the States through which I had passed, and among the thousand bankruptcies which had occurred, and among them hundreds of church members—among all, not one could be found who attributed his ruin to his giving in the cause of God. No—it was putting his funds in the wrong place, where the blessing of God could not rest upon it.” Here is a thought worthy of attentive consideration, especially at this time when the cause of truth in the publishing department, Institute, &c., require considerable means. I have often wondered to see brethren who professed to be the Lord’s servants and stewards, invest hundreds in some patent right, or other foolish or doubtful speculation, and losing it all, take it so complacently as if it was hardly a matter of regret; while a tenth part of the sum was placed hesitatingly in the cause of God, and then watched with jealous feelings lest it should not show satisfactory results. To watch over the interests of the cause, and for the result of means bestowed therein is right; but why this difference? Have we forgotten that “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof?” Why put our means in Satan’s reach, as though it belonged to him, and withhold from Him who has purchased us with a greater price? Do you place your funds where God’s blessing can rest upon them? The “widow’s mites” were blessed because given willingly, and were all she could give. A sister purchased a “circulating library” at the Review office for a few dollars, and placed it in a country post-office, where the present truth was unknown, by which an interest was created, and soon calls were made for a preacher. When the truth was presented by a preacher hearts were all ready to receive it, and more could be done there in a week than is done in some places by laboring hard for a whole month. The interest on that outlay, to that faithful sister, cannot be reckoned by any commercial “per cent.” “She has done what she could.” A brother invested five hundred dollars in a patent right and lost it. Has he done what he could? The warning had been given but he did not heed it because—2 Cor. iv, 4. Though my observation has been limited I am well satisfied of this, that enough has been sunk among S. D. Adventists in the last few years in patent right speculations to put the Institute and Publishing Office beyond all present want for means. And those “who would be rich” by such hazards have found that,235though their calculations failed, the Scriptures did not,—they have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous riches, who will commit to your trust, the true?” See Mat. xxv, 21. Who mourns for unfaithfulness in this respect! Who will be warned betimes, and put their means in the reach of God’s blessing! J. H. WAGGONER.