Giving by A. N. ALLEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1914

Giving

By A. N. ALLEN

A. N. ALLEN

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” In these words the Saviour enunciates a great principle of salvation. In contrast with the selfish, worldly theory of self-defense and the heaping to ourselves of riches here, Christ shows that only those who lose sight of this life as an end in itself will be able to appreciate or enter into eternal life.

This life is a means to an end, and only as we sense and meet the responsibilities of this life shall we be enabled to enjoy the future life. The doing for which we hope to receive the “Well done” must so fill this life that we shall be consumed upon the altar of service. We have many examples of this principle in the lives of the martyrs, who “loved not their lives unto the death,” but “obtained a good report through faith.”

Solomon, many years before, voiced the same gospel principle when he said: “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” “Waters”—“peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues”—are hungering for the bread of life. Even our literal bread is to be divided with the needy. And God says of what we give that it is not lost, but, “Thou shalt find it after many days.” “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

While the widow of Zarephath divided her all with Elijah, the servant of God, “the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail.” And Jesus adds, “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”

In times of war and revolution in the South American states, there is always a great rush among the merchants to deposit their money in the foreign banks doing business in those countries. Brethren, a great international war is soon to be declared. The banks of this earth are soon to fail. A great financial crash is coming. The royal bank of heaven is still open to receive deposits. But banking hours are almost over. Jesus admonishes us, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” where banks do not fail. The stocks of heaven are souls bearing the Maker’s superscription, heaven’s seal. What are you worth in stocks negotiable in heaven?

Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Whoever engages in this work, either by going or by giving, places himself in direct contact with the “all power.” Christ, with all his power, has promised to be with those who go and who give that the gospel may be heard in all lands. Do we recognize the power and authority of Jesus over our part of this world’s goods, our bank account?

If we would have God’s blessing in our business, we must recognize his authority in the same. Let us make Christ our partner in our business; and be assured he will be with us even unto the end, to bless and prosper. That which is consumed in the preaching of the gospel will be a credit in favor of those who have given of their plenty or of their little. That which is retained in these closing days of the mystery of God will be a debit against us on the books of heaven. The means which God has given us is a power for which he will hold us responsible. But if placed in the gospel bank, it will increase and grow in power till Jesus comes. He who determines the wealth or the poverty of each, in so doing has determined the extent of our responsibility.

The poor widow with her two mites gained for herself Christ’s commendation, or praise, which has been sounded wherever the gospel has been preached. God measures our gifts, not by the amount given, but by the amount retained. We sometimes feel proud of the great totals of our offerings to missions. But could we see the great total of what was retained and is still in our possession, or has been spent for selfish pleasure, what anguish of heart and sense of shame it would produce in us! In the great day of final reckoning, how many will grasp us by the hand and attribute their knowledge of Christ to our sacrifice and faithfulness? How many of us will have the reward of Dorcas when we close our eyes in the last sleep? By what are we known among our neighbors now? Where our treasures are there will our hearts be. Where our heart is now, there is, today, our treasure.

Let us be Christ-men and Christ-women, and save our talents by placing them where they can be used. Let us save our credit by paying the debt we owe. Let us do for the heathen what we would have them do were we to find ourselves in their place tomorrow. Unless we do, our lot will be worse than theirs in the day of judgment. Let us do well if we would receive the “Well done.”

Santa Clara, Cuba.