The Duty and Privilege of Giving.
By S. N. Haskell
NOTHING is more clearly taught in the Scriptures than that it is the duty of every Christian to aid in sustaining the cause of God with the means and ability God has given him. It is not because God is dependent on man, nor that his resources are insufficient to carry forward his work without the aid of men; for it is written, "The silver and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8. "And every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; for the world is mine and the fullness thereof." Ps. 50:10, 12. God's resources are infinite. But infinite wisdom has arranged the plan of salvation upon mutual obligation. The choicest of Heaven,—the only Son of the great Creator, laid aside the glory he had with the Father before the world was, sacrificed his home in Heaven, was a homeless wanderer on this earth, and died broken-hearted on the cross for man. Now he requires that man, for whom he died, should show an appreciation of this love by sacrificing at least a portion of his substance to carry forward his cause upon the earth. "Gather my saints together unto me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice," is the commission to the angels who are sent to gather the saints from the four quarters of the earth. Ps. 50:5; Matt. 24:31. None others will share the glorious reward which awaits the faithful. We are not our own but are bought with a price, even with the precious blood of the Son of God. And the talents of influence which God has committed to us will he require with usury. Man is only a steward of that which is in his possession, and he cannot truthfully say, "My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth." Deut. 8:17, 18. If this means is used for the advancement of the cause of Christ in the salvation of mankind, then it is put at usury, and will yield rich returns in the kingdom of glory. But if it is not thus used we become unfaithful stewards and thus prove ourselves unworthy of eternal life. "He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" Luke 16:10-12. Here the riches or things of this world are represented as belonging to God, and man is made steward over it. And that which is his own is that reward in glory which has been purchased by the blood of Christ. He renders to those the true riches who prove themselves worthy of it by a proper use of that which they are made stewards over in this life. The influence of means expended in the cause of Christ is not lost, but the deeds performed are recorded as righteous acts. "As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness (or right acts) remaineth forever." 2 Cor. 9:9; Ps. 112:9. We thus transfer our treasures from this world to the world to come. "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 12:33, 34. The young man who came to Christ said he had kept all the commandments from his youth up, and inquired, "What lack I yet?" "Go sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come and follow me," were the words of the Son of God. "But when the young man heard that saying," like many others, "he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions." Zaccheus was a wealthy man, and it was said of him that he was a sinner. But when he "stood, and said unto the Lord : Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold," Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house." Were the example imitated in these days a similar result would be experienced. When the cause of God requires support, then is the time that men should give. When calls are made to carry the truth into new fields, when opportunities present themselves to relieve the destitute, then is the time we should make investments in these never-failing enterprises. A faithful steward would hold that which is committed to his trust in a condition to meet a ready response from any call of his master. Paul instructs the rich to be "ready to distribute," that is, in a constant preparation to give. Were these to invest in uncertain enterprises, where they could not command what they possessed at the time the cause of Christ needs assistance, it would be as much a mark of unfaithfulness as it would be to withhold their means altogether. The cause of Christ has the first claim upon us, and upon that which we possess. Those who have the cause of God at heart, and have confidence in the especial work of God, will consider it a privilege, as well as a duty, to take stock in each enterprise and in every advance step taken, and they will manifest a lively interest in these advance steps. When these enterprises are new and the friends are few, is the time when help is most needed and most appreciated. It is at such times that men's faith in the cause is tested. Neither should it be left for a few leading men to bear the responsibility alone; but there should be a general feeling of interest throughout the entire body of God's people. Men, women, and children, should all feel a personal interest in the matter. Some system should therefore be adopted whereby the influence of each can have a direct bearing upon the cause. At these various crises in which finances are concerned, one dollar will count more in the cause of God than fifty times that amount when the crisis is past, and the point is gained. There are enterprises at the present time which are as important as those in the history of the past. The efforts by our vigilant societies to obtain interested readers for our periodicals over the wide harvest field, which is the world, are moves that furnish excellent opportunities for all to show their faith by their works, and in a practical manner bring their influence to bear directly for the advancement of the cause of God. Our missionary societies furnish a system whereby each individual, man, woman, and child, can help support the cause financially. Children should be so educated that they, of themselves, will feel it a duty and a privilege to earn and save for the cause of Christ. Sisters also should have an independence in this matter, and each should feel that she has a personal interest in these things. We expect that this will be the case. God's hand is in his work. Our hearts and interests should be one in a cause like this. Our prayers, like sweet incense, should daily arise for the advancement of every enterprise that upholds the cause of Christ, and every pulsation of our being should beat in sympathy with it. Banks are suspending payment. Speculations are becoming more and more uncertain. The money panics that we occasionally pass through are omens of what is coming. They are indications of a terrible financial crash which will help make the troublous times that are approaching. Business men are perplexed in view of what is coming. There is a fearful looking for those things which are coming on the earth. But there are opportunities to make a safe investment. The truth, the rays of light, must reach the thousands who now sit in darkness. Who will be faithful stewards is an important question. Who will show their faith in the cause and work of God by taking an active interest in each step taken, and in every enterprise that promotes the cause of truth upon the earth? The cause of God calls for brave soldiers who will not shrink in time of battle—true hearts who will lift at every crisis. The cause is rising. The work is moving forward. The Spirit of God and his providence call for action, and onward march is heard all along the line. True missionaries are wanted—men and women of sterling worth, who will not count their own lives dear unto themselves, if they can but advance the cause of truth. There never were opportunities when means could be used so effectually in this branch of missionary labor as now. Thousands of individuals are calling for light where the living missionary is unable to enter. If one hundred thousand dollars were now placed at the disposal of those who have charge of this work, it could be judiciously used in 1879 where every dollar of it would count for the purpose above described. We expect to see very much accomplished in this direction the coming year.