The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-27
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
FAITHFUL USE OF WEALTH.

1t is instructive to notice how faithful
ly our Saviour enforces this duty. All
Scripture teaches us that the deeds done
in the body are to form large element
in our future judgment; and this, not
because of their merit, but in that they
are tests of character. They show what
we are. No matter by what name you
call tree, it is really known by the fruit
bearing. So says Christ of men, ''by
their fruits ye shall know them" Here
we are told, "He that is faithful in that
which is least, is faithful also in much;
and he that is unjust in the least, is un-
just also in much. If, therefore, ye have
not been faithful in the unrighteous man.
mon, who will commit to your trust the
true riches" Aud what are these "true
riches" but the forerunners of the heav-
emily inheritance in which they are to
find their fullness-the graces of the gos-
pei; the influences Of the Spirit; the
joys, benefits and prosperity of religion?
When, therefore, these are wanting in
any church, this is the evidence that
something is wrong-the proof of un-
faithfulness. But wherein is this unfath-
fulness which drives God out of His
courts, and keeps away all blessings from
His people ? eff, therefore, ye have
not been faithful in the unrighteous man.
mon, who will commit to your trust the
true riches? ?" There it is. Christ asks
us to reason it out for ourselves. If, as
Gods stewards, we are unfaithful in the
use of that which He has given into our
care, how can we hope for any outpour-
ing of His grace or Spirit, or for any
blessing? Is not this outpouring of the
presence. of Gods Spirit the great need
of our Church? We cannot grow in
strength and numbers without it.
We may wish to see the Church pros
per. We may pray for it. But wishes
and prayers are not enough. The
Church must have Gods Spiritin IT.
But this it will not have, if we refuse to
honor God with our means-our money
and our work, as we'll as our words of
faith. Our refusal to do this will cer-
tainly drive the Spirit away, actually
shut the doors against Him, leaving only
deadness within. Therefore, let US search
our ability in all honesty, and see if the
trouble, wherever it exists, cannot be re-
moved. Wherefore, if thy hand or thy
foot offend thee, cut them off and cast
them from thee. And if thine eye offend
thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee.
Whatever the trouble is, or however hard
of removal, we cannot grow in grace, nor
rejoice in seeing such as shall be saved
added unto us, until it is removed. For
now, as of old, ''the Lord saith, them
that honor me. I will honor, and they
that despise me, shall be lightly es-
teemed."
Our time, property and influence must
all be used as we know that our duty to
the cause of Christ demands. When we
realize this, then we may ask, and it
shall be given us; may seek, and we shall
find; may knock, and it shall be opened
unto u.s." But so long as we live upon
the idea that duty admitted is duty done,
just SO long will We be deprived of "the
true riches"
And now let each one consider that
which, in the first step of his Christian
life, and ever since in his Christian pro.
fession, expresses his surrender to Christ
Jesus:-
"Here at thy cross, where flows the blood,
That bought my guilty soul for God;
Thee, my new master, now call,
And consecrate to thee my ALL"
1