GIVING by M. J. Bahler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 12, 1876

GIVING

By M. J. Bahler

At our late camp-meeting, among the younger members of our tent’s company the subject of visiting cards came up, and several kinds were shown and exchanged. The extreme low figures at which they could be procured in the city near by, received no small attention, and finally an arrangement was made to walk to town the next forenoon (Monday), and have some printed. I said, “Perhaps you will have no time to leave the meetings,” and I thought, “It will be too bad to go away from this solemn place and lose any of the meetings for so small an object as getting a few visiting cards printed.” However, I considered it no part of my business to interfere. Monday came, and, as I had hoped, there was no chance to leave the meetings. One followed another in such close succession as to occupy all the time.

The subject of giving toward the new tent came up, and, walking to our tent after the 5:30 morning meeting, one sister came to my side and said, “I signed $5.00.” I knew this sister was not yet a member of the church, though she became such at the beautiful baptismal waters that afternoon, and was keeping the Sabbath alone, living among unbelievers, working at house-work; and knowing all this, tears came into my eyes, and I exclaimed, “God bless you, F.” “I have not got the money,” she replied, “but I have health and strength and I can earn it.” Entering the tent, I told the rest what F. had pledged. Some said they wanted to join, but knew not how to get the money. “We can go without some things,” replied F., “our cards, for instance.” Oh, how my heart warmed toward this young disciple! Yes, go without some things; our cards for one, 25 cts.; a glass of lemonade for another, 5 cts.; that 10 cent package of candy for another; those new-fashioned sleeve buttons for another, the old ones are just as good; get along with two or three yards less of embroidery; with one or two neck-ties, instead of four; and if we study every day, we shall be surprised to find how much we can get along comfortably without, and in this way we shall be able to send some treasure ahead, and get our names enrolled among those who have stock in Heaven. And may not the little fives we thus make out, from saving here and denying there, count as much as the twenties and fifties of him who owns his many thousands in land or cattle, gold or silver?

The young are too apt to discount on the endowment of health and strength God has given them. But shall not we who have this blessing have an account to render of how it is used? whether for God’s glory and the salvation of souls, or for our own pleasure and self-gratification in the things which only please for a few short hours and then perish? Does ours seem a small responsibility, because God has not given into our hands wealth? Nay; he has given wealth to every one who enjoys health. Wealth of time, precious time, is also ours. Let us carefully gather up the moments and the pennies, and soon we shall be able to give to God’s holy cause hours and dollars. M. J. BAHLER.