God Loves a Cheerful Giver
SMALL giving is the curse and shame of our day. God is not a beggar asking alms for the crumbs that fall from our table; He is a preferred creditor. The apostles evangelized the Roman empire without a choir and pipe-organ, or even a church building. Every dollar spent in a vain show is a dollar of a trust fund misappropriated. The world will never be won to Christ by gifts from our pin money. The missionary enterprise is belittled and put on a wrong basis when Christian people are asked to save a nickel or a dime from their cigars or chewing gum, or some other luxury.13 A farmer was asked how much milk a certain cow gave. He said: “She gives nothing voluntarily, but if a strong man can get her into a corner where she can neither hook nor kick, she will give eleven quarts.” Giving that is joyful is almost certain to succeed. “The light that shines the farthest will shine the brightest at home.” When the church honors Christ with her substance she will compel the respect of the world by her character.—Christian Intelligencer.