The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-20
"I'm Afraid to Die Rich"

Such was the reply, not long since, OF
man who was noted for his liberality
in doing good. He had just been giving
large sum to a certain benevolent object,
when friend inquired, eff it was not
more than he could well afford, and why
1t was that, with all the demands upon
him for his business and his family, he
gave away so much" And his reply
forever memorable,-was: az feel that
as to my property am but Gods stew
ard, and I'm afraid to die richl"
What a lesson to all, especially to
every Christian. A lesson
l. On the fact of our stewardship. Denv
it, forget it, disregard it though we NAV,
1t is still forever true that we are not
owners, but stewards of all we possess.
On our time, talents, influence, property
ON all that we have and are,-the fin
ger of God hath written, Occupy till I
come" Whether we have five or ten
talents, he bids us remember that it all
belongs to him, and that soon he will
call us to give an account for the man
ner in which we have used it. If we re-
member this, should we not spend less for
self, and fashion, and appetite, and the
world IN It's many forms than now we do?
Should we not regard all our possessions
as sacredly to be held and faithfully used
for the Master in advancing his cause, in
spreading his truth, in blessing our fell
low men? At any moment we may hear
the call, Give an account of thy stew
ardshlp. Let us so admit, and realize,
and be faithful to the trust committed to
us, that when that call shall come we
may not hear that fearful addition,
"Thou mayst be no longer my steward. y
And not merely as to the fact of our
stewardship, but it is a lesson Also
2. On fidelity to it. Did we bring
home to ourselves and seriously consider
the fact of our stewardship, would it not
make us more faithful to our duties? IF
in worldly matters it is dark sign for
the steward of rich man himself to be
growing rich while his masters inter
ests are not advancing, is it not in the
sphere of religion? And is that disci-
pie faithful steward who is rolling up
wealth or expanding it on self, while
his charities are less and less in proper
ton to his riches2 Quite lately a very
wealthy man died, and one who, as the
world goes, was regarded as very libe-
raj in his gifts. And thoughtful man
Of the world said, "All his gifts, though
counted by thousands and tens of thous-
ands, were not so much for him as a
few pennies would be for me-" And
then he added, not in the spirit Of cen
sure, but in sad and serious tones, as
expressing the deep convictions of his
heart, IF l called myself Christian
would not dare to 60 to the Judgment.
dying worth so many millions, where
there Is so much to do in world like
this to benefit ones fellow men" And
there is truth,-to many it is to be feared
alarming trutb,-in the thought thus ex-
pressed. To every one, and especially to
those who are increasing their riches,
there is a solemn lesson in these words Of
the Saviour at the final day: "Inasmucb
as We did it mott" 1t is not needful to
our condemnation that we use our wealth
for positively evil ends, that we squander
it IN dissipation, or in spreading error, or
IN corrupting our fellow men. It is only
not to use it in doing good, not to use it
as faithful stewards Of the great Giver,
not to employ it as he directs, and for his
honor and glory. This may be the "hid-
ing Of the talent in the napkin" and
may incur the doom of the wicked and