p. 205 | CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 18, 1858

“CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.”

By M. E. Cornell

This extract from the Devil’s Koran is often quoted by covetous professors as an excuse for not sacrificing for the cause of truth. When they are called upon to assist the worthy poor, the widow and fatherless, or help build a house for the Lord, or contribute to spread the truth in new places, this proverb of Satan is brought forward, and all further pleading is entirely useless.

“Charity begins at home,” comes out with all the graciousness of the ancient Pharisee; as though it was a thus saith the Lord. But no such thing is declared in the Bible concerning charity. It not only is not a Scriptural phrase, but it is positively against the Scripture. Paul says, “charity seeketh not her own.” 1 Cor. xiii, 5. And again, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” 1 Cor. x, 24.

The teachings of both the gospel and law, are against selfish covetousness, and pure and undefiled religion is ready to every good work. The real Christian is full of benevolence; for to be a christian is to be Christ-like. The christian is ready to say with the good Samaritan of old, “Whatever thou spendest more I will repay thee.” Charity does not begin at home. Then to all the rich among us who are covetous, we say your vain excuses will not avail. Your hiding places are manifest, and you are known by your fruits. Christ commands not to lay up treasures here, but to “sell that ye have and give alms;” but you positively refuse. You profess to be preparing to move to a better country; but the faithful do not believe you are in earnest; for they do not see you packing up and sending on your goods before you. O be not deceived, God is not mocked. Do hasten to send on your treasure, for then we may hope to see you following on after it.

There is a great lack among us. There is not an equality. The rich are eased and the poor burdened. According to the gospel rule, when some of the poor give $1,00, others of the rich should give $25 or $50; but generally the poor are even with, if not ahead of, the rich. I have seen a row of five’s on the subscription list, and I could select one of the subscribers worth fifteen thousand, while another was not worth twenty-five dollars. A benevolent enterprise was lately brought before the church in a certain place, and while one brother worth $800, or so, put down $5, another worth $2000, gave only two dollars and twenty five cents.

Such covetousness is manifest in the different States by those held in fellowship among the remnant. Now I would be glad to inquire if this is right. Can the church fellowship the transgressor of the tenth commandment any more than the violator of the fourth. Would not this be “partial in the law,” and “failing in one point”?

The rich among us join in the song: “We want the truth on every point, We want it too to practice by.”

We only say then, let them have the truth on the duty of sacrificing. To refuse to sacrifice and supply the wants of the cause, is a violation of both law and gospel; it is against the whole tenor of both Old and New Testaments.

The calls for labor are multiplying in every direction, and the truth must be carried to new fields. There is a lack of means in every department of the work, and the Lord knows why it is so. The rich are laying up their treasures on the earth, and the cause has been suffering for means. Only a few faithful ones respond to the calls for help, while others seem not to care. They are at ease in Zion, and the woe is upon them. I believe that the cry, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” should be raised that the willing and obedient may stand together. “He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him.” 1 John ii, 4. “He that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us.” 1 John iv, 6. O may the straight testimony of the Word separate the precious from the vile, till all that are of the church will “show the same diligence,” and the work of God move in power.

M. E. CORNELL. Gilboa, Oct. 27th.