It is the spirit of covetousness which leads men to keep for gratification of self means that rightfully belong to God, and this spirit is as abhorrent to Him now as when through His prophet He sternly rebuked His people, saying, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me.But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation." Malachi 3:8, 9.
The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven.This spirit finds its highest manifestation in Christ's sacrifice on the cross.In our behalf the Father gave His only-begotten Son; and Christ, having given up all that He had, then gave Himself, that man might be saved.The cross of Calvary should appeal to the benevolence of every follower of the Saviour.The principle there illustrated is to give, give."He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.
On the other hand, the spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan.The principle illustrated in the lives of worldlings is to get, get.Thus they hope to secure happiness and ease, but the fruit of their sowing is misery and death.
Not until God ceases to bless His children will they cease to be under bonds to return to Him the portion that He claims.Not only should they render the Lord the portion that belongs to Him, but they should bring also to His treasury, as a gratitude offering, a liberal tribute.With joyful hearts they should dedicate to the Creator the first fruits of their bounties--their choicest possessions, their best and holiest service.Thus they will gain rich blessings.God Himself will make their souls like a watered garden whose waters fail not.And when the last great harvest is gathered in, the sheaves that they are enabled to bring to the Master will be the recompense of their unselfish use of the talents lent them.
God's chosen messengers, who are engaged in aggressive labor, should never be compelled to go a warfare at their own charges, unaided by the sympathetic and hearty support of their brethren.It is the part of church members to deal liberally with those who lay aside their secular employment that they may give themselves to the ministry.When God's ministers are encouraged, His cause is greatly advanced.But when, through the selfishness of men, their rightful support is withheld, their hands are weakened, and often their usefulness is seriously crippled.
The displeasure of God is kindled against those who claim to be His followers, yet allow consecrated workers to suffer for the necessities of life while engaged in active ministry.These selfish ones will be called to render an account, not only for the misuse of their Lord's money, but for the depression and heartache which their course has brought upon His faithful servants.Those who are called to the work of the ministry, and at the call of duty give up all to engage in God's service, should receive for their self-sacrificing efforts wages sufficient to support themselves and their families.
In the various departments of secular labor, mental and physical, faithful workmen can earn good wages.Is not the work of disseminating truth, and leading souls to Christ, of more importance than any ordinary business? And are not those who faithfully engage in this work justly entitled to ample remuneration? By our estimate of the relative value of labor for moral and for physical good, we show our appreciation of the heavenly in contrast with the earthly.
That there may be funds in the treasury for the support of the ministry, and to meet the calls for assistance in missionary enterprises, it is necessary that the people of God give cheerfully and liberally.A solemn responsibility rests upon ministers to keep before the churches the needs of the cause of God and to educate them to be liberal.When this is neglected, and the churches fail to give for the necessities of others, not only does the work of the Lord suffer, but the blessing that should come to believers is withheld.
Even the very poor should bring their offerings to God.They are to be sharers of the grace of Christ by denying self to help those whose need is more pressing than their own.The poor man's gift, the fruit of self-denial, comes up before God as fragrant incense.And every act of self-sacrifice strengthens the spirit of beneficence in the giver's heart, allying him more closely to the One who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.
