Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-14


OF them. they do not appear to have deter
mined. II you quote to them the idea OF
the giving of one-tenth, as commanded by
the Jewish law, they would think such a
law a great hardship; and IL you consider
the way in which such people give, you
are not surprised at their estimate Of the
Jewish law. They frequently affirm that
their receipts are so uncertain that they
can make no definite pledge, will give
what they can, etc. Compared with the
Jews, the sum they place on the altar of
God IS almost nothing. To such people 1
recommend a meditation upon a quota
ton from Rushin. He said, in effect, 1
haven't the book before me: Most peO-
pie deceive themselves. Especially is this
true Of the givers, or non-givers, OF the
world. People like to give, but they rather
think they do not like It. They think
they would rather keep their money in
their pockets" Indeed, the world thinks
"it knows better" when Christ said: 1T
is more blessed to give than to received"
In defence OF this method (no system or
principle at all in Christian giving such
people plead that the Jewish law has been
abrogated." Most true. We are not now
living under the Jewish law, but the grand
general principles OF that law are as I'M
changing as the very being of God. They
were born when the eye Of the race OF
man was lit with the light Of its first
morning and are a part Of the eternal
fitness which regulates the veal OF man.
Suppose we acknowledge that a genuine
Christian is not compelled TO adhere TO
the Jewish law of giving, 1. e., one part
in ten. Yet when we examine the nature
of our giving how absurdly small Gin COM
parison) does our Offering appear Take
the case Of a man who gives a half dol
lar a week out OF an income OF 50. In
~ 0wa ~ in he rrfWnc nUlW
part IN 50. 10 would be absurd TO say that
a proportion so small would systematical-
" be attended by any measurable cost in
sacrifice. If however. carelessness Cor
other reasons) delay the offering until at
the end of a year IL amounts TO So, II
must then be all paid out of one weeks
income. and II does cost-aye II costs so
much that the obligation OF this sacred
sum, the pledged Offering, is often repu-
dated on the basis that necessity required
the man should take for his use that
which belongs TO God. The service Of God
is thus a loser 0n aggregate) to large
amount. and the soul OF the man has lost
something which he win miss TO all eters
nifty.
Ny brothers. why will we not cease this
perpetual battle with our nobler and
higher selves2 Gods wisdom indicates
three grand principles in life: First there
should be an Offering on the altar OF God.
EeCOnQs omeEluB euOulQ De EgSNcuidl-
ic and predetermined. Third, II should
represent a distinct sacrifciaI cost. Adopt
the standards OF life given by God and
obtain, at last, in this the only way,
the blessings Of His peace. Phillips
Brooks has well said: The great question.
after all is this: Shall We judge man
land human principles) by God, or GOd
by man? Does light and understanding
flow upward or downward? II we Judge
man by God at once we have true and
discriminating thoughts of human life.
We have absolute standards. We have
a test OF the worth Of all we see or do.
But II we Judge God by man we only
have over again what the world has been
so full of-the persuasiOns of self-inter-
ests the disbelief in absolute righteous
ness. the changing standards Of the
changing times. Men have gone into the
sanctuary of their own selhshness, the
sanctuary OF themselves, and straight
way they have seemed TO see an end Of
God"
Again this offering to God should be
general and unconditional. Among the
special duties Of my office are the build
ing OF churches and financial organiza-
ton in new localities. I frequently. there
fore. encounter persons who are practi-
caIly nothing to the service Of GOd-noth-
ing either Of labor or means. interro-
gate such people as follows:
DO you not feel called upon to labor
for Christi"
"BIy business prevents" is the reply. IT
must labor continuously for my daily
bread"
but what do you give to sustain 9TH
ers who are unselhshly giving themselves
TO this noble cause2"
Answer-"As a rule. very little. IL any
thing. at present"
And then each individual has a separate
and often dissimilar excuse. IT have no
80 M minister
me and have not been applied to-" an
swer. 'sYour obligation 20 give IS uncon-
ditional II you lived alone on an island Of
the sea, like Alex Sellkirk of old, that
should not sever your relationship with
God and your fellowman. You will not
affirm that you do not know a way in
which your offering could reach the
church Of God.
There are thousands OF laborers in your
own household Of faith. laboring in this
and foreign lands for whom the church
is crying for bread. And yet you, my
friend. because you have no local minis
ter or church TO stimulate you and min
lister TO you. ignore your privilege and du-
ty-your systematic giving-and allow the
divine command and your church's great
need to pass unheeded by.
The nearer you come TO detaching such
gifts from every selfish consideration,
either material or spiritual. the nearer
Nu4 AENAN&AAAaAE tic HAAAAA AlcdA u AAG
Christian life.
There are others who decline to give
because they do mot like their minister"
or the Congregation is uncongenial,"
etc.
To be logical. such people must next
contend that this Offering is made to the
minister or 10 the congregation. No, my
friends, regardless Of all conditions,
church building. local minister. good min
lister. cOngenial congregation, etc, the call
OF Calvary is for a direct gift TO God and
your fellowman. The question is not how
much you owe to man or any set OF men,
but how much owest thou TO thy Lord2
HOW MUCH OWEST THOU TO THY
LORD?'
merchant who was God-fearing man
was very successful i'm business. but his
soul did not seem to prosper accordingly:
his offerings to the Lord he did not feel
disposed to increase. One evening he had
a remarkable dream. A visitor entered the
room and. quietly looking round al the