p. 5 | I Will Give Nothing

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 7, 1886

"I Will Give Nothing."

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." Prov. 11:24.

A MINISTER soliciting aid toward his house of worship, waited upon an individual distinguished for wealth and benevolence. Approving the case, he presented to his minister a handsome donation, and turning to his three sons, who had witnessed the transaction, he advised them to imitate the example. "My dear boys," said he, "you have heard the case; now what will you give?"

One said, "I will give all my pocket will furnish."

Another observed, "I will give half of what I have in my purse."

The third sternly remarked, "I will give nothing."

Some years after, the minister had occasion to visit the same place, and, recollecting the family he had called upon, he inquired into the actual position of the parties. He was informed that the generous father was dead; the youth who had so cheerfully given all his store was living in affluence; the son who had divided his pocket-money was in comfortable circumstances; but the third, who had indignantly refused to assist and haughtily declared he would give "nothing," was so reduced as to be supported by his two brothers.

The incident furnishes a most suggestive comment upon the text which stands at the head of this article. And there are plenty of parallel texts and facts.