“Fear not, Little Flock;”
By J. Matteson
FOR it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the Heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12: 32–34. Precious promise given to those who fear the Lord, and who give themselves, with all that they have, into the hands of the Lord! With filial confidence they can trust in the Lord, and lean upon his mighty arm, which alone can bring salvation. Fear not to trust in the Lord. Be not afraid of making large investments in his cause. Be not afraid to risk property, honor, strength, or even life, in his service. Fear not the ridicule or slander of men. Fear not their reproach, hatred, or persecution. Be not of a doubtful mind. The Lord cares for the birds and the flowers. How much more he will care for you. Holy angels will encamp about you. They will be a refuge in every danger. Cling to the dear Redeemer, then he will give you the kingdom, in spite of an angry adversary, and a persecuting world. Though you are nothing but a small, weak worm, your Saviour is mighty. He lives. He “will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” How often he has sustained you in trials, and preserved you through the hours of temptation and darkness! He offers to you his strong arm. Take it, and say with Jacob, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me;” Gen. 32; 26; and with David, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Ps. 23. But if you would have a treasure in Heaven, your heart must not cling to earthly treasures. Let not your bags wax old. Let not heap up riches to devour your flesh as fire in the day of the Lord. Indulge not in luxury and feasting, forgetting the poor and fatherless. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give in your bosom.” Brethren, give good measure to the needy. “For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6. Give not simply what you can spare just as well as not. But deny self. Sell a little and bestow it here or there, where it is needed, in the name of Jesus; then God shall reward you. Continue to do so until you have transferred all your property to Heaven. Then you will go there too. How fast must this be done? The Lord will direct by his Spirit. For every sacrifice made in his cause, you add to your treasure in Heaven. There a crown of glory, bright as the sun, and garments white as snow, are waiting for you. There may you shine and rejoice with the heavenly host. But if you are stingy, and selfish, and afraid to lend to the Lord, who has given you life and all the blessings you enjoy, then this will all stand against your account in the great day. Your soul clings to your earthly treasures, and you will perish with them. James 5: 3. J. MATTESON.