p. 189 | STINGY CHRISTIANS by Mrs. PHŒBE PALMER

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 5, 1859

STINGY CHRISTIANS.

By Mrs. PHŒBE PALMER

I AM thankful for the opportunity to say that if our —— friends should do much more toward sustaining the institutions of religion among themselves, it would do much towards bettering their spiritual condition. The Bible makes it as much a duty to give according as God has prospered us, as it makes it our duty to pray. One reason why many are spiritually lean is, because they are so lean in their manner of giving.

God gives, generally, in both spirituals and temporals, in about the proportion we give to others. "Give, and it shall be given you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over."

Those who do not give gospel measure do not receive gospel measure. We ought to regard it at least as great a privilege to give as to receive. But why do I thus speak? The Bible makes it greater. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Yet this is a privilege of which our friends do not avail themselves as they ought. In the first place, if they have a church to build, or repair, instead of regarding it as a privilege to lay up specifically for that purpose, as David did, unwilling to sacrifice that which cost him nothing, some, I fear, would regard it as a privilege to have our city friends, by public subscriptions or private donations, pay off the debt to the last cent. And, from the scanty support that some of those give their ministers, I have thought that they might feel themselves as so much in pocket if their ministers might be sustained from abroad also. Certain it is, that it would be more comfortable for the feelings of their minister, who is sometimes left to feel as though he was receiving his scanty support more as a dependant on the charities of his people, than as an ambassador from the court of heaven.

In the days of the prophet Malachi, there were those who were disposed to sustain the institutions of religion in about the same way. They waited long, and in earnest entreaty, at God's altar. They were ready to sacrifice also, but it was of that which cost them nothing. Have you not noticed how ready some people are to appropriate to their minister that which they cannot turn into money? Well just such offers were those who waited at the altar in the days of this ancient prophet. And these would have had the prophet beseech God that he would be gracious unto them. But what does the Lord by the mouth of the prophet say? "Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught? Neither do ye kindle a fire on mine altar for naught. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand." And when the blessing of the Lord is withheld from such a people, as it ever must be, how apt are they to suppose it is for want of power with God in their minister! But, though the most holy minister that ever filled the sacred desk, or even Gabriel from the throne of God direct, should minister to such a people, it were in vain to supplicate the blessing of God. God has pronounced a curse on those who offer polluted bread upon his altar. And who can minister blessings to those upon whom God has pronounced curses, unless they will first repent, and forsake their covetous practices!—Incidental Illustrations of the Economy Salvation, by Mrs. PHŒBE PALMER.