Shall We Give or Relinquish? by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 15, 1904

Shall We Give or Relinquish?

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

WE hear frequently of persons who at death leave all or a portion of their property to some philanthropic enterprise or charitable institution, and everywhere their generosity is favorably commented upon. They have left behind, it is true, that which can be used for a good purpose, but did they really give anything? They held on to all they had in life, enjoying all the comforts and pleasures which it afforded, until their grasp upon their hoarded treasures was rendered nerveless by the relentless stroke of death. But this can hardly be called giving. We give while we live of that which we might retain. We relinquish, or leave behind, at death what we are powerless to longer hold on to, and utterly unable to take with us beyond the portals of the tomb. Having refused to give while they lived, and could use it themselves, they unwillingly relinquish, or leave behind them at death, all they have. They never once enjoyed the sweet blessing which comes to the soul by giving to the Lord.

In reading in the “Spirit of Prophecy” recently, I was impressed with the statement that some among us are in danger of making a similar mistake. Standing as we are on the borders of the heavenly Canaan, with numberless calls coming for means to advance the work in the home and foreign fields, some are holding on to surplus treasures, expecting to give, not relinquish, to the cause of God at death what they can no longer use, or hold on to. Notice the following:—

“Many people selfishly retain their means, and soothe their conscience with a plan for doing some great thing for the cause of God after their death. They make a will donating a large sum to the church and its various interests, and then settle down with a feeling that they have done all that is required of them. Wherein have they denied self by this act? They have, on the contrary, exhibited the true essence of selfishness. When they have no longer any use for their money, they propose to give it to God. But they will retain it as long as they can, till they are compelled to relinquish it by a messenger that can not be turned aside.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, page 81.

“Those who neglect known duty by not answering to God’s claims upon them in this life, and who soothe their conscience by calculating on making their bequests at death, will receive no words of commendation from the Master, nor will they receive a reward. They practised no self-denial, but selfishly retained their means as long as they could, yielding it up only when death claimed them. That which many propose to defer until they are about to die, if they were Christians indeed they would do while they have a strong hold on life. They would devote themselves and their property to God, and, while acting as his stewards, they would have the satisfaction of doing their duty.”

“The Lord designs that the death of his servants shall be regarded as a loss, because of the influence for good which they exerted, and the many willing offerings which they bestowed to replenish the treasury of God. Dying legacies are a miserable substitute for living benevolence.”—Id., pages 480, 481.

The cause of God is still calling for help. For this we are glad. It would be a sad hour for many of us if there were no more calls, and the last gift that could be used in the message was in the treasury. Such a time is speedily coming, but as yet the Macedonian cry is still heard. We still have the blessed opportunity of renewing our consecration to God, and making some sacrifice to extend the healing rays of the message into the dark corners of the earth. The privilege of giving instead of relinquishing is before us.