Shall We Come at the Call? by R. A. Underwood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 27, 1907

Shall We Come at the Call?

By R. A. Underwood

R. A. UNDERWOOD

“GATHER my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50:5. The condition and the ability to respond to the call when the angels are bidden to gather the faithful ones of earth to meet and welcome their returning Redeemer, is based upon the fact that we have made a covenant with him by sacrifice. Sin originated in selfishness, and every sin is traceable to selfishness. Therefore the divine plan of redemption is based upon the opposite principle; namely, benevolence and sacrifice.

Love gives freely and abundantly of its best, and rejoices in giving without selfishness. Selfishness prides itself in covetous grasping, and gives only for selfish purposes. Heaven has drawn the line between these two principles. We must place ourselves upon one side or the other. There can be no half-way ground in our decisions. Selfishness, with all its baneful fruits, has been ruled out of heaven. Character built upon the opposite principle only can abide in the kingdom of eternal peace.

Every person is on trial now to see which principle he will choose. This choice decides our destiny for eternity. It is for these reasons that God has so planned the work of the gospel that the principle of benevolence must be in constant exercise in every feature of the plan of salvation. Hence we are called upon repeatedly and continuously to sacrifice. We must first give ourselves and our families, and then of our substance, to help save a lost world. This is God’s means of removing selfishness from the human heart.

The Lord could bring the gold out of the earth, or he could move upon a few men of great wealth to give millions to carry on the work of God in the earth. But this would test only a few. God’s plan is for every one to sacrifice for the cause of Christ and the salvation of man. Every man must give according to the ability bestowed upon him. Those with large means should give with a liberal hand. God has made them stewards of his means. Some conferences, blessed with numbers and wealth, can give much more per capita of membership than others of less ability. In raising the $150,000 fund some conferences should

give much more per member than others, if all do according to the ability that God has bestowed. Happy is the man who esteems it a blessed privilege to do his whole duty, and does it quickly and continuously in every good work. There will be no uncertainty about that servant’s preparation to answer the call when the time of sacrifice is over, and the eternal reward is given in the home of unending glory.

Minneapolis, Minn.