CHRISTIAN GIVING.
Until
a few years ago this subject was broached in many congregations only
with fear
and trembling, because, for some reason or other, it was not considered
proper
to think and speak of the business of the congregation as such Hut due
to an
agitation which was inaugurated chiefly by the members of the
congregations
themselves, the prevalent idea of an onerous duty has been replaced in
most
communities by that of a cherished privilege. Just as the pastors are
the
stewards of the mysteries of God and are expected, in the name of Jesus
and in
the stead of the congregations, to dispense freely from the unlimited
treasures
of God's grace, so all church-member, being stewards of the goodness of
God and
holding their property in trust for the Lord, are investing the
property
entrusted to them in the interest of the Owner and are realizing rich
returns.
For
such Christian giving the believers have the very best reasons. They
have before
them the example of such as have given evidence of their readiness and
willingness to invest their money for the Lord. 2 Cor. 9, 1. 2. It
always gives
a Christian an unpleasant feeling to find out that others have preceded
him in
some work in which he, by virtue of his discipleship, feels an
interest, whether
it is a matter in his own congregation or one concerning the Church at
large.
And if this willingness has been seconded by a zeal which carried his
intention
into cheerful execution, if it is a willingness not of the mouth
merely, but of
the hand as well, then its influence is bound to be all the greater. 2
Cor. 8,
1-5. The report that some small and comparatively poor congregation has
done
more in proportion than one that is large and wealthy cannot but act as
a spur
to all laggards. The ideal condition would be that mutual zeal would
act as a
mutual provocation to give evidence of the proper spirit and lore to
the Lord.
Another
reason which impels Christians to give according to ability, especially
where
their charity toward the poor and needy is appealed to, is the fact
that the
recipients will hare the actual benefit of the gifts. Moneys collected
for
purposes of charity, to give assistance to fellow-Christians or to
outsiders,
especially if the matter is attended to as carefully as the collection
for the
brethren in Jerusalem undertaken by Paul, will provide for actual needs
and will
not bring luxuries. But the prayers of those benefited will rise to the
throne
of grace in behalf of the donors and that certainty will act as an
additional
spur to all Christians that are able to help and do not make their
charities a
matter of dead routine. Then there is also the certainty of an increase
of
fellowship which accompanies proper and milling giving. The hearts of
the
recipients and the donors are united with one another in a communion of
love
which is bound to redound to the advantage of all.
But
the final and the most impressive reason for Christian giving is the
remembrance
of the love of Christ which was shown us in the entire work of
redemption. If a
Christian realizes the unspeakable folly, wickedness, and guilt of sin;
if lie
actually has some idea of the fact that he deserved God’s wrath and
displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation, by reason of his
sins; if he
then contemplates that wonderful, unselfish devotion which prompted God
to give
His only-begotten Son into death for his sake, then all feeling of
avarice and
all love of self is dismissed and eradicated, to make place for a
cheerful and
free demonstration of charitable affection toward his neighbor, 2 Cor.
8, 8. 9.
So
far as the method in Christian giving is concerned, the Word of God
does not lay
a commandment upon the believers of the New Testament. But the advice
of the
apostle with regard to systematic giving is certainly worth the
profoundest
contemplation, if not an outright heeding, 1 Cor. 16, 1. 2. His
suggestion to
give regularly and systematically, if possible, every Sunday, has been
found so
valuable in actual practice that few congregations would want to return
to a
different method of gathering funds for their own households as well as
for
outside purposes. The haphazard methods followed in some quarters,
according to
which every member has his own time for contributing funds for the
various
treasuries inside and outside of the congregation, is not to be
recommended even
from the standpoint of human experience and nature. Paul’s advice was
inspired
advice and has proved its value in every way.
As
to the mode and manner of giving, finally, the suggestions of St. Paul
to the
Corinthians are also well worth heeding. He urges that every one give
what he
can, as the Lord has prospered him, 1 Cor. 16, 2. It is the feeling
that all the
gifts of this life are evidences of God’s goodness and unmerited love
which
should impel a Christian to give as well as to determine the amount
which he
invests for the Lord, Prov. 19. 17. This is brought out still more
strongly by
the admonition that every one give according as he purposes in his
heart, what
his heart, under the influence of the love of Christ, thinks will be
the proper
and adequate amount. A gift that is not made with cordial willingness
defeats
its own ends so far as the approval of the Lord is concerned. It is for
this
reason that St. Paul adds: Not grudgingly or of necessity; the feeling
as though
he were being robbed, as though extortion were being practiced on him,
must not
be found in a Christian’s heart, if the collections are made in the
spirit
which the apostle here advocates. A Christian acting under the
constraint of the
reasons given by the apostle will be glad to scatter his gifts with a
free hand,
letting no feeling of miserliness govern any of his actions, for God
loveth a
cheerful giver, 2 Cor. 9, 7. 37)