CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 29, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 35.

"CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY."

By Editor

UNDER this caption some time ago a gentleman contributed the following sober reflections to the Evening Tribune of this city:—

A recent address by a Southern California orator who extolled a multi-millionaire for an act of Christian philanthropy and patriotism caused me to adjust my thinking cap, and a stern question stares me in the face: Could a real follower of Christ be a multi-millionaire at all?

If Jesus meant what He said in these two commandments, which are, according to His words, the "fulfilling of the law,"—"Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart; . . . and thy neighbor as thyself"—no man can be a Christian who does not practise them, and no man can fulfil these commandments and be a multi-millionaire.

If a man find a coal field, a gold mine, a tract of oil or timber lands, he would say, if he loved his neighbor as himself: "Come, neighbor, the earth is the Lord's. Here is plenty for all; let us partake of what He provides." He would not set stakes about to keep his neighbor out, nor pack lobbies to secure control of this or that natural resource, nor take advantage of his neighbors' less fortunate condition; for all these things would be contrary to a discipleship with Christ.

The fact that those calling themselves Christians come no nearer fulfilling this law than those we call sinners, only teaches us that they have no real faith in Christ or in His words. I have asked a number of professed Christians about it. All said, "It is impracticable." Yet we see, and reason teaches, that were all to fulfil these commandments the kingdom of heaven would be established on this earth.

Nothing is more certain than that the kingdom of heaven will never be established in this world so long as a few persons, whether multi-millionaires or otherwise, are given the legal right to monopolize the natural resources intended for all alike, and thereby make industrial slaves of the masses. It is said that the Son of man had not where to lay His head. If Christ should come now personally into

this so-called Christian country, He could find no place to lay His head without obtaining permission from some earth lord.

True Christianity and modern landlordism are as far apart as the poles. One or the other of these conflicting systems should be abolished. It is easy enough to tell which ought to be.

It is seldom that we find a better presentation of the condition of things in the main, from a worldly standpoint. It shows that God may and does find minds in the world through which He can better present the truth than through the medium of many who pose as Gospel teachers. The fact that professed Christians deem the teachings of Christ "impracticable" in this world is indeed proof that they "have no real faith in Christ." It is to the "little flock" that He says, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." And if there should but one enter that kingdom, it would be proof that the Word of God is practicable here; for only through that Word can we obtain eternal life. The Master's assurance is, "If ye would enter into life, keep the commandments."

The accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few, and the oppression of the poor by the rich, are characteristics of the last days. See James 5. And that professed Christians, as a rule, "have no real faith" is strongly suggested in the words of Christ, "When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8. Yet when He comes it will be to establish His kingdom, for He says to them that are placed on His right hand in the great separation day, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:34.

Therefore the kingdom of glory, the everlasting kingdom, which is to "fill the whole earth," will not be set up where the evils complained of by the Tribune correspondent hold sway, or even where they exist at all. But because of such a condition, and because the earth is filled with violence, and becomes "as it was in the days of Noah" and in the days of Sodom, it will be utterly destroyed, and a new creation take its place. Before the flood, "the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:6, 7. And then what?—"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." There and forever will be fulfilled in every heart the command to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself.

Another point in connection with the article we have quoted is that it appeared in the department of the paper devoted to the advocacy of the "single tax" policy, that is, the policy of government support solely by a tax on land. Without reference to the merits of this policy from a political standpoint, or the measure of good that might accrue from its adoption, it can not in any sense prepare the way for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ. He will get His kingdom from His Father, and set it up in the earth when He has completed His priestly work in the heavenly sanctuary. The political policy of this or any other government has nothing whatever to do with it. No human scheme can remedy the ills of which men complain, for the Word tells us that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse." 2 Tim. 3:13.

Then the only remedy left to suffering mankind is to seek a home in the heavenly kingdom, an inheritance in the new earth—"an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." And it is a personal matter; the victory must be won in and for each individual. The terms are, "Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." No political or other confederacy of human device can redeem this sin-cursed earth or its people from the consequences of disobedience of the law of God. All the oppressions of rich men, or corporations, or unions, or leagues, or any other combinations for enforcing any principle whatever, are sinful; and "the wages of sin is death." It can not be patched up by any means, so that it may be acceptable to God. But those who have made the Word of God practicable by faith in its teachings, can always claim the victory through Jesus Christ; for "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." Rom. 8:28.