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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1875

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 46, No. 7.

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Blessings.

By F. R. Richmond

WHEN God placed our first parents in the garden of Eden he surrounded them with everything that could be required for their perfect happiness. We naturally think that were we to have the blessings given to them we would be very thankful, and zealous in obeying the Giver. With their example, and having seen the result of their course, we might not fall in the same way they did; but what use are we making of the blessings we now have?
Persons often look upon the blessings of others, especially upon riches, and say, “If I possessed these, I would make good use of them;” but how few carry out this good resolution when the means are actually placed in their power.
Promises made in adversity are too often forgotten in prosperity. The Lord desires that we should have, and he will give us, all we will put to a good use. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Children that have everything they desire are not apt to appreciate the kindness of their parents; while those whose parents are in such circumstances as to render it necessary for them to deny their children in many ways will love and sympathize with their parents, though they may not always see that it is for their good to be denied. The Lord deals with us as with children; “for he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” Says David; “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.” Again, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
The danger from receiving great blessings is well shown in the case of Saul, who was made king of Israel when he was little in his own eyes and submissive to the will of God; but when he was exalted he departed from the Lord; also in the case of Solomon, and of the children of Israel as a nation; when they were in prosperity they soon forgot the source of their bounties and turned to idols; but in their distress they returned to the Lord.
God has blessed man by causing the earth to bring forth a bountiful supply of provisions, so that all might have plenty; but much grain, instead of going to feed the hungry, is made into intoxicating drink; and much labor and land, instead of being used to benefit mankind, is used in cultivating tobacco and other worse than useless articles. The earth produces a sufficient amount of clothing for all, but instead of being equally distributed among those who need it, much is consumed in gratifying the pride and vanity of the gay. The telegraph, railroads, sewing-machines, and the many other inventions, would be much greater blessings to humanity, if used only for good purposes.
When nations become rich, their wealth is used for the destruction of their fellow-beings in war. Thus, while adversity is often a blessing in disguise, apparent blessings are frequently turned into curses. It seems to be human nature to spend the surplus of blessings in doing evil. Well is it for man that he is required to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.
This subject has a bearing upon each one of us personally. Are we using the blessings God bestows upon us to his honor and glory? We pray for blessings; do we pray aright? Says James, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
F. R. RICHMOND.
Brightwood, Mass.