p. 3 | CONCERNING PROPERTY by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 4, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 40.

CONCERNING PROPERTY.

By Editor

What the Bible Teaches.

MR. EDWIN MARKHAM, author of the much-discussed poem, “The Man with the Hoe,” among other things, has this to say:—

Jesus everywhere takes the ground that God is the Owner and the Giver of all, and that men are but the stewards of the gifts—that all property is held in trust for the common good.

In fact, the whole Bible declares against the selfish holding of property. It is to be held in trust for God’s service. Let us turn to the Word for the testimony: “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.” Deut. 10:14. “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord.” Hag. 2:8. No man belongs even to himself, for we are told, “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.” 1 Cor. 6:19.

This is the whole spirit of the great Book. These words are as clear and open as the sun. There is no dodging their immense significance. They carry judgment and finality. Unless we accept their vast import, let us not mock God by calling ourselves Christians. For be it known that the application of these words to life, to personal and public life, would

change the whole face of the world. They would destroy the social conflicts of the time, and upbuild on earth the fraternal commonwealth.

If any of our riches belong to God, all of them do. God is the sole Proprietor, and He wishes His goods distributed to His children as they have need, even as He sends His rain upon the parched and hungry lands. So it comes to this—that we are trustees of God’s gifts, and that they should be used in a way to honor Him. And how can He be honored? In only one way—by serving humanity. God in Christ identifies Himself with humanity. “Even as ye did it unto the least of these My brethren, ye did it unto Me.”

This is well stated; and we can supplement it no better than to add the words of the great apostle to the Gentiles:—

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Tim. 6:17-19.