Manner of Giving by P. J. Laird

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1907

Manner of Giving

By P. J. Laird

P. J. LAIRD

A PREFERABLY and more exact rendering of 1 Tim. 6:10 is, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Money, like all God’s gifts, will bring blessing to each and every one who co-operates with God in its use. Among other subjects brought under the lash of harsh criticism, is the raising and apportioning of funds for religious purposes. When asking my informant why one man had donated fifty thousand dollars to Peking, China, and twenty-five thousand dollars each for Seoul, Korea, and Kyoto, Japan, for new Y. M. C. A. buildings, he replied, “Because he believes in the organization of the Y. M. C. A.” “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be,” needs no comment.

The wonderful progress of the Seventh-day Adventist movement is largely due to the fact that the members of the denomination believe the General Conference to be in such direct touch with all branches of the work the world over that it is better able to judge of the general needs than is an ordinary individual. Many pressing needs could be known only by that body. These they make known, and the members rally to their support, and trust them implicitly with the funds placed in their hands. This is seen in the large amounts of subscriptions passing through “official channels.” Hasten the day when even a larger proportion may pass that way.

Just a word to those who feel that they must send funds direct to a conference worker in a mission field. Often those who do this are quite ignorant of the fact that many others are doing the same. This aims a blow at real progress. The writer is personally acquainted with a case where quite a large sum came in this way. The person in question did not believe in training native workers, and the time of most of his associates was taken up in developing his plan of working. After nearly twenty years a large compound had been built, very largely for philanthropic purposes. The local committee was never consulted as to disbursing the ear-marked moneys received. When invalided home, the whole of his branch had to be closed down, as no one of his profession was on hand to carry on the work. Other instances could be given where “private funds” have caused workers in the same mission to become estranged, and never to meet together, except at a yearly conference or at similar gatherings.

Opponents of organization are very often those who themselves have been set aside in favor of others because they could never be controlled; hence their unfitness to control others.

“While we have not great men or great means, we have a great truth.” The very difficulty of getting this truth before the Chinese shows us our impotence. God alone must do it, but his gifts of power, men, and means are most likely to be given to the denomination that stands as one man for him.

Changsha, Hunan, China.