p. 9 | Ready to Distribute by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 17, 1903

Ready to Distribute

By John Norton Loughborough

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH (Concluded)

“CHARGE them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life [“the life which is life indeed,” R. V.].” 1 Tim. 6: 17-19.

In a former article we saw how utterly worthless in the sight of heaven is trusting in the riches of this world. Our text teaches the proper use of this world’s goods. We are told to be “ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” Other portions of Scripture teach the same. “Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh [useth this world’s goods simply for self] shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit [has God’s glory in view in all his doings] shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6: 6-8. “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Heb. 13: 16.

This “communicating” must relate to the use of our bodily powers and worldly goods, else how could there be any sacrifice connected with it? In Rom. 12: 13 we read, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” In 1 Peter 4: 9, 10, this instruction is given: “Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” In the Corinthian letter we read, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9: 7. Again, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.” 2 Cor. 8: 12-15.

The illustration above was the gathering of the manna in the wilderness. There was no advantage taken by the strong and nimble ones over the slow or weak brother. The abundance of the one led him to consider the necessities of the less fortunate. This will be the course of the faithful steward with the Lord’s goods intrusted to his care. Would to God that there were more people in this world who looked upon the substance intrusted to their care as did David when he had contributed of gold and silver at least $125,000,000, with a vast amount of brass and other material, for the erection of the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem. He said, “Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. . . . All this store that we have prepared to build thee an house, for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.” 1 Chron. 29: 14-16.

There are too many, alas! in this world who look upon that given to aid the Lord’s cause, or for the relief of suffering humanity, or for anything aside from themselves or their families, as really just so much lost. They are unlike a liberal-hearted Christian of whom I recently read, who, when coming to the close of his life, said, “What I have used in life simply for gratifying self is a total loss; but that which I have given for the Lord’s cause and for suffering humanity I still have.” He regarded it as “treasure laid up in heaven.” It is well ever to bear in mind that “there is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Prov. 11: 24, 25.

The initial text of this article does not intimate that the Lord is benefited in our being “ready to distribute, willing to communicate;” but it does say that they who pursue such a course are “laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Happy will it be for those who, in this life, like Moses, refuse “the pleasures of sin,” and esteem the reproach of Christ “greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” (this world); because they have “respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Heb. 11: 25, 26.

Our text admonishes, Be “ready to distribute.” In order to be ready to distribute, we must get ready. To get ready implies calculation, planning with reference to it, providing for it. Elder James White used to say: “Giving is a trade, to be learned just as well as any other trade.” If when means come into our possession, we say, One tenth of that is the Lord’s, that must be set aside first; and then of the nine tenths inquire, How much can I spare above the actual wants of myself or family for calls that may come for liberalities? we shall then have a fund on hand. If we practice self-denial to replenish our charitable fund, we shall be “ready to distribute.” There are those who are adopting the setting apart of a second tithe as a fund from which to draw for First-day offerings and other calls that may arise for help, and they are happy in so doing.

It is said of Whitefield, the associate of the Wesleys in their work, that when asked how he managed to give so much to the poor and to other objects, he replied, “When I get a guinea [a little over five dollars], I say, ‘There is a guinea, I will spend as little of it as possible for myself, and put a blessing on the rest of it by sending it out to do good.’” Will it not be well for each of us to do in like manner with that which comes into our hands? If so, we would always have funds in hand “ready to distribute.” Try it, and share the blessing promised.