Economy a Christian Duty.
By C. A. Osgood
Most men feel and act as though the property they possess was their own in the fullest sense. They do not realize that they are accountable to God as stewards for the use they make of it. Yet the Scriptures teach that “God will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing.” This must include that part of the doings of men which has reference to the disposal of what they possess. The same book also says that “the silver and the gold are the Lord’s”; that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.” The last expression, “the fulness thereof,” means all that is within or upon the earth. Thus God owns the whole. Then men are only agents or stewards appointed to do his will, to carry out his purpose, in their use, who must give an account to him how they are used. The true Christian feels and knows that “he is not his own,” that he is the Lord’s, having been “bought with a price.” If he himself belongs to the Lord, then what he has in his possession, of earthly goods, belongs to the same great and good being, and he is not at liberty to consume it upon his lusts, for his own selfish gratification; but he is most sacredly bound to use it as a faithful steward, the best he can to glorify God, and to carry forward his work. It might seem that the Lord Jesus, who could feed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two small fishes, would not care what became of the pieces that were left when the meal was over; but not so; he said to his disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” Are we disciples of Christ in these last days? Let us attend to the instruction here given. He thus teaches us the importance of taking care of the fragments. And if we ought to save all these, how much more should persons of great wealth take care how they spend money lavishly for their own pleasure. How important it is that they so use it as to be “rich in good works,” and become rich toward God.” But while they use means freely for fast horses, splendid carriages and harnesses, fine houses and clothes, rich food, &c., they must withhold from God and his cause just so much, and so oblige themselves to give a fearful account of their stewardship at last. It is not to be expected that many rich people, in this covetous age, will engage faithfully in helping forward the cause of truth with their means. They love this world too well to do this. They “cannot serve God and mammon.” Hence, persons of small means must take upon them the burden of this work. To warn the world of approaching danger is a very great and important work. To send the message to “peoples and nations and kings” will require large sums of money. For no object can money be spent half so well. There are many who, when calls are made for help, would be very glad to contribute for this precious cause, but they have no means, or123not as much as they wish, when the time comes to help, simply because they have used it, perhaps a little at a time, it may be for things that are useless, it may be for things that are really hurtful! It may have been to buy some book which was of no real benefit. It may have been some toy, or fancy article of dress or ornament; some article of clothing, more costly than was needed, or some extravagance in food, the main object of which was to gratify the taste for a few moments. Many of these little things, after a while, amount to a large sum! “Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.” How often might food be saved, and the expense of living be made less, if a little forethought and labor were employed. How many clothes, by a little repairing, might be serviceable a much longer time than they now are, and thus means be saved to send the bread of life to the destitute. As we draw near to the Judgment, how important these things should appear to us. It is only by close economy, by using our means the best we can for God, that we can reasonably hope for the approval of Him who has intrusted to us means to be used in his service. He is soon to return to reward his servants, and is it not to be feared that many will then appear to be unprofitable servants who have but little idea now that this is the case? Now things appear in a false light. To gratify self seems of great consequence; but it will not be so then. Then to have the approbation of the Nobleman who has commanded us to occupy till he shall come, will appear of infinite consequence. And then it will be too late to attend to these things. Let us be faithful now. C. A. Osgood.