The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-09-27
The Lords Portion. How Muoh9


An esteemed brother in England expresses
his views on a practical point, which we give
in part, hoping to add something further at
another time:
Some Christians contribute what they sup
pose is expected of them to such objects as
are specially brought before them; some
give large sums as thank offerings for spe-
cial preservation Or deliverance; others with
more system, give tenth Or a large proper
tion of their income to benevolent objects.
One eeptlea,,sr,, ls>-y., 80 the writer, IN ol~
der of Presbyterian church, used to give
what was considered liberal proportion Of
his means to God, and then added one per
cent. exrn for each child that was born to
him. Still others, making God a partner in
their business, enter on page of their
Ledger, for charitable distribution, the pro-
portion of profits which accrue to the share
so set apart for the service of God. Not all
these modes of action, so far as they indi-
cate desire and intention to glorify God
by the dedication of portion of property
to Him, are right, and doubtless are accepted
of Him; but we submit that they are all
faulty, inasmuch as they assume the rights
of ownership in the first instance, and say
virtually, 81 will give so much of my money
to God, and will spend the rest upon my,
self. Is this the feeling which ought to ex-
ist in the Christian mind, and have we such
right to ownership in anything we possess ?
In 2 Cor. V: IA, we read: "For the love of
Christ eonstraineth us; because we thus
Judge, that if one died for all, then were all
dead; and that He died for all, that they
who live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto Him who died for them
and rose again. And again, 1st Cor. vi
19, eye are not your own, for ye are bought
with price, therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are Gods"
From these passages, and from the very fact
that we are redeemed from death and de-
struction by the precious blood of Christ,
we infer that our property as we'll as our af-
fectons, our time and our influence, are abb
sOlutely the Lords. Is this an exaggerated
statement? If not, it follows that the ques-
ton for US to consider is, not how much shall
l give away, but, how much am l justified
in spending upon myself and ny family, anu
how much can use to prove my love to my
risen Lord? A worldly minded man might
object to this view, that it would compel us
to sell all we have and give to the poor
that we should grudge ourselves the food we
ate-that it would make life long penance;
but we know our gracious Master too well
for this. He bids us provide for our own
house, and provide things honest in the sight
of all men. Those who are rich, He does
not bid to become poor, but avoiding high
mindedness to fear. What He does say is,
that whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever
we do, we should do all to the glory of God.
If it be asked, how much is Christian JUS
titled in spending upon himself, the answer
viii be, just so much as each individual, in
his best moments, when his heart glows with
love to Christ, thinks right. The gospel is
law of love, rule of liberty, and we are
left to judge for ourselves in Gods sight,
The question may be put thus: How would
my Lord have me act in this matter of ex-
penditure? How much would He wish me
to spend upon myself, if He were present to
direct me? How much would He have me
spend in His service? How much would He
have me lay up to meet sickness or old age,
or losses in business?" The answer will
vary according to our light, and zeal and
love, but it must after all be left to each be-