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The Privilege of Giving

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 1.

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The Privilege of Giving

By R. W. Parmele

Too often the obligation to give to the cause of God is kept before the church, instead of the privilege. In the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, God has shown us how he could accomplish this work without using the human agent. But he has graciously given us a part, that we may finally 'enter into the joy' over the salvation of souls. The Lord could feed his laborers with manna, could prevent their clothes from waxing old, could transport them, as he did Philip from 'the way that goeth down . . . unto Gaza' to Azotus, could supply them with any necessary money from the fish's mouth, as he did Peter. But there are many of our dear brethren who love this truth, and want to have a part in spreading it, but who can not go to the front. To them the Lord has given the privilege of furnishing these supplies, that in the future life they may share with the workers "the joy of the Lord." Were these facts impressed upon the minds of our brethren, I believe we would hear less about the "many calls for money."
When a collection is taken, too often the purpose of the collection is not fully explained. It is but natural that donors should desire to know to what cause they are donating. Frequently strangers are present, who would give liberally to our collection for missions, if they understood something of the nature of the work that we are doing. Explain the collection each time before it is taken; give some pointed missionary story, some experience of our brethren who are at the front, and see if it will not swell the offerings.
Another important help will be to have a certain sum set before your church to be raised in a given time. I have in mind a church which placed this mark at a considerably higher figure than they had hitherto ever been able to reach. The result was that they nearly always doubled the amount aimed at. Let us seek in every way possible to swell the stream, that the opening providences may be entered, and the work speedily consummated.
R. W. PARMELE.