p. 13 | Religion and Philanthropy by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 14, 1910

Religion and Philanthropy

By F. M. W.

TRUE religion is philanthropic, but philanthropy after the world's standard is not a necessary proof of Christianity. We use the word philanthropy as representing the spirit of giving to all religious, charitable, educational, and other beneficent enterprises.

There is much so-called philanthropic work carried forward to-day with entirely different motives than actuate the true disciple. Many seem to work on the principle that they can drive sharp bargains, rob their fellow men, and by questionable and dishonest means amass a large fortune, and then buy the favor of heaven by founding hospitals, endowing colleges, or establishing free libraries. These will awake some day to the sad realization that heaven is not purchased with gold, and that acts performed for the laudation of man, even though good of themselves, can not atone for the heinous sins which have made such acts possible.

There is much said to-day about the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, which amounts to nothing but sentimental platitude. True philanthropy has as its motive power, first of all, love for God, and secondly, love for our fellow men, but this love will be manifested in ways and means befitting its true and holy character. A recognition of God as our father will lead us to seek to know his will, and to perform it without reference to our own desires or pleasures. True love for our fellows will lead us to regard their needs and interests even as we would our own.

The gift which stands as the foundation of all true philanthropy is the gift of one's self to God, the dedication of one's heart and life to the cause of God and to the salvation of mankind. We who are engaged in the giving of this last great message should recognize this fact. We can not purchase the favor of heaven by our gifts of benevolence. The payment of tithes, donations to foreign missions, gifts to the poor and needy, will not buy for us the passport to eternal bliss. There is only one means of salvation, and that is through the name and merit of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in him for the remission of sins that are past, that faith which takes hold of his life and enables it to operate in present experience,—it is this faith which brings salvation. Christ abiding in our hearts by his Spirit, and his life manifest in our life, this is religion, and this sort of religion will be philanthropic.

The man who possesses this experience will give of his means because he has first given himself. He will count all that he possesses as belonging to God, because he counts himself as God's man; hence, the tithes, and offerings, and gifts paid by this man into the treasury of the Lord will not be the means whereby he

hopes to secure salvation, but rather the expression of the hope and faith which he has in the Lord Jesus Christ, the offering of his love which he lays upon the altar of holy service.

The recognition of this relationship, instead of leading one to give less, will inspire greater gifts and continual sacrifice. All will be given to God for use as his providence shall indicate.

This is the kind of religion, and this is the kind of philanthropy which should be manifested in the life of every one connected with this movement. Let us remember that true religion is always philanthropic, but that philanthropy in and of itself affords no evidence of genuine Christianity. Let us seek the religion which consists not of mere profession, but the religion which works by love, purifying the heart through faith, and molding the life after the life of its divine Author.

F. M. W.