Christian Giving

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 15, 1902

Christian giving develops the Christian graces in the soul of the giver. We will not give our money without faith in the object to which we are giving, and with this giving comes a deepening interest, a desire for knowledge. Nothing so expands the heart, enlarges the sympathies, and elicits a generous charity, as the taking up of God's world-wide work for study and prayer. With it comes a corresponding increase of faith in God's ability to do even greater things than he has done.

Christian giving is one of the best means of making us unselfish. Some one has said, “All of the gospel, so far as principle is concerned, is contained in the one word ‘love;’ all of practice, in the word ‘give.’” Christ gave himself for us. Why?—Because he loved us. And what more natural than that we should grow into his likeness, if we follow in his footsteps? Christian giving leads us to think of all who sin and suffer. It carries us out of ourselves, and brings our thoughts and sympathies to embrace the whole world. Our hearts are filled with pity for the dwellers in far-off lands, who are without Christ, “having no hope, and without God in the world.” Then we look upon life, not from the standpoint of self-interest or self-love; but constrained by the love of Christ, we rise to the dignity of co-workers with God.

Christian giving develops in the giver the highest types of manhood and womanhood. It is not satisfied with giving money, but develops that consecration of character which holds nothing back, but lays it all—life and everything—upon the altar to be used in God's service. Such giving brings to the giver the joy of at least some measure of success; for where the means are given, and persistent effort is put forth, suffering and sin will be alleviated, and trophies will be won for Christ. The infinite resources of divine power are placed within our reach, and the testimony of all who have put them to the test, is that of Spurgeon, who said, “There is no joy outside of heaven like that of winning souls for Christ.”

Then, as the Master bears in remembrance and lovingly rewards, at the end, everything done in his name or for his cause, even though it be done “unto the least of these” his brethren, we may look forward to an eternal reward. Surely it cannot be anything but uplifting and ennobling to the character of an individual to be striving for, and looking forward to, the commendation of the Master: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Let us then remember,—

“Love divine will fill thy storehouse, Or thy handful still renew; Scanty fare for one will often Make a royal feast for two. For the heart grows rich in giving; All its wealth is living grain; Seeds which mildew in the garner, Scattered, fill with gold the plain.” —Selected.