What the Scriptures Say Concerning Property.
REV. W. T. HILL, of New York East Methodist Conference, caused to be prepared and circulated in his congregation the following instruction, just prior to making his annual collection for the cause of missions. WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY CONCERNING PROPERTY.
The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts. Hag. ii, 8. If property is placed in my hands by the providence of God, is it not then my own, to be used as I please? The kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his servants, and delivered unto them his goods. Matt. xxv, 14. Is it lawful to possess much property? Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, wealth and riches shall be in his house. Ps. cxii, 1–13. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice and do good in his life. Eccl. iii, 12. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx, 35. His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matt. xxv, 23. What are the evils attending the pursuit and possession of property? Behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit. Eccl. ii, 11. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; neither he that loveth abundance with increase. Eccl. v, 10, 11. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim. vi, 9, 10. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house. Prov. xv, 27. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. Matt. vi, 19. How are we to employ what God intrusts to us? Charge them that are rich in this world, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. vi, 17, 19. Is giving, a means of grace? As ye abound in every thing, in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 2 Cor. viii, 7. Should the poor use this means? And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he saith unto them, This poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance, but she of her want did cast in all she had, even all her living. Mark xii, 42, 44. Their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves. 2 Cor. viii, 2, 3. What is the effect of giving on the prosperity of the giver? Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thy increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Prov. iii, 9, 10. There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Prov. xi, 24, 25. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men (angels) give into your bosom. Luke vi, 38. He that giveth to the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Prov. xxviii, 27. He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will he repay him. Prov. xix, 17. Should we regulate His benefactions by a system? Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 1 Cor. xvi, 2. Of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Gen. xxviii, 22. Bring ye all the tithes (tenths) into the store-house, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.—Missionary Methodist Advocate.