The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-11
THE LORD LOVETH
A CHEERFUL GIVER
Impressive Sermon at the First
Presbyterian Church.
TEXT TAKEN FROM MALACHI
DR.. Curry's Words of Wisdom Based
Upon the Scriptural Teachings
-One-Tenth of All Belongs
to the Lord

AT the First Presbyterian church yester-
day morning DR.. A. b. Curry delivered a
most interesting and impressive discourse,
taking as his text the words: Bring We
all the tithes into the storehouse, that here
may be meat in mine house, and prove me
now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if
will not open you the windows of heaven
and pour you out blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it,
Malachi $40
This the speaker said, was appropriate
to the season of the year. 1t was a time to
give and receive. II am sure" declared DR..
Curry, that this view will be echoed by
the majority of my congregation. This
passage of scripture gives guidance for our
benefit and tells us how to act. 1t is liv-
ing message from God to his people, and the
gist of my talk this morning is Gods store
house and how it is to be filed
GOD has a storehouse among men here
on earth," said DIR. Curry. Bring ye all
the tithes,' etc
1T seems somewhat strange at first" he
continued, that God to whom everything
belongs already should yet have a store
house. Under the ancient administration
Gods people were required to place in this
storehouse one-tenth of all their belongings.
This was for the poor. Besides this divi-
sion, there were other offerings. What, in
fact, is Gods storehouse here on earth? In
Hebrew it is translated treasure and Gods
storehouse here is treasury of this church
on earth.
Moreover" emphasized the speaker, sit
extends too. to all the offsprings of the
church-tha mission homes orpbap homes
hospitals, mercy homes, OF, in fact, benevo-
lent institutions of any kind or description.
These are the offspring of Gods church.
and these constitute Gods storehouse on
earth in OUR day and time.
How Is 1t to be Filled?
"But how is it to be filled? That is the
question. 1t is not too full. We sometimes
become tired of pleading. Is there a plan
which is not being worked? 1t is to be filled
by the bringing in of the tithes-a portion
of all that God has put in our hands-and
mind you, we are to bring it.
"Our hearts ask the question, why should
the great infinite God receive the Offering of
our puny hands? He has already every
thing. He placed gold in the hills of Alas
ka and Australia He created the diamond
mines. He filed the earth, the hills and
mountains with COAL with iron, with all
manner of precious stones So, why should
God require an offering from us, need
storehouse on earth? Man has a Godward
side and an earthward side.
His material side must have attention."
said the speaker 80 must his G.od-ward
side" He needs teachers and preachers to
inspire his God-ward nature to all that is
noble and God-like. All this requires stores,
and being for mans benefit, SO must man
furnish the stores. Man cannot forget God
while he is paying tribute to Him.
"Show me-" cried the speaker, "a nation
that refuses labor and time to God and
will show you heather nation, and one
that has sunk to the lowest depths of vice.
Show me a man who does not pay tribute
to his Maker, and will show you a heather
man. Man ought to bring his very best to
God, and not his worst. The man of
Malachi's day made the mistake of bringing
imperfect offerings to God. If we bring Or
BEST even though it should be only the
widows two mites, 1t will be acceptable in
His sight.