Scattering and Withholding
By W. Jay Tanner
“THERE is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Prov. 11:24. The following circumstances were noted a few days ago while visiting a small company of believers. While the names are fictitious, the incidents are real, and require no comment. Ebony Hill is a very ordinary district in one of the parishes of Jamaica. A few years ago two families in this district accepted the message for these times. Since then others have joined them, so that now the company there consists of twelve members. None of these are weighted down with the things of this world. That could hardly be with wages at from twenty-four to thirty-six cents a day, and bananas, the chief product, bringing twenty-four cents a bunch. As to property, Brother Down is the best off, with thirty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation; and Brother Champion comes next, with three acres. Both of these are industrious, hard-working men. Neither has any income save that which he receives from labor. But, strange to say, Brother Down complains that times are so hard that he can scarcely pay his taxes, while Brother Champion has discharged, without complaint, this necessary duty to Cæsar. Brother Down’s house is sadly in need of repair, while Brother Champion has just neatly painted his. Yet Brother Down improves his time on “first days” by picking and preparing a little coffee, chocolate, etc., for export. Brother Champion, on the other hand, devotes that day to visiting and holding cottage meetings in neighboring districts. Brother Down thinks he can keep the Sabbath at home as well as anywhere, consequently he seldom goes to church. Brother Champion is always at meeting. Brother Down has been too busy to give any time on the building of their little chapel, and “too poor” to make a donation for that purpose; but Brother Champion not only gave the land, but also most of the cash and time. Brother Down does not believe in the tithing system. Brother Champion is very particular to pay an honest tithe. Brother Down thinks that no offerings should be asked for,—that ministers and missionaries should go out without “script or purse.” Brother Champion, as I was leaving the other day, said: “I have an offering that I wish you would hand to our treasurer for me. I have three pounds for this purpose.” He paused for a moment, and I thought his hesitation was because he had found that his generosity had overmatched his purse, and he felt badly because he could not make it the desired amount. Three pounds (nearly fifteen dollars) is a large sum to the average Jamaican cultivator. He finished what he had to say, with these words: “But the other day a circular came to me from the Mission Board telling their great needs, and I feel that I must make it five pounds.” I was astonished and touched, for it was evident that such a sacrifice required most heroic self-denial on the part of the entire family. I hope that I shall never forget the holy joy of that family as they gathered around the table while the husband and father counted out, one by one, one hundred hard-earned shillings. It might be added in conclusion that within the past year Brother Champion has brought five or six precious souls into the fold, the most of whom are regular in attendance at meetings, and faithful in paying tithes and offerings. Brother Down has brought one as far as he himself has come; that is, his convert does not deem it important to attend meetings, and holds that the tithing system is not binding on Christians, and that times are too hard to make offerings. Truly, “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Prov. 13:7.