The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-01-29
EPwoRTH LEAGUE.
Jan. 3Is "Christian stewardsEs16.' y
Nal. iii. 10; 1 Cor. xvi. 2.


The depth of Il persons piety is quite
accurately measured by, the use he
makes of his money. Religion which
costs nothing has no relationship with
that of Jesus Christ and is not based
on the Christian Scriptures.
The reason for this is not found in
the need of money to carry forward the
work, though such need always is
pressing. 1t does not arise from the
idea of showing gratitude to God for
benefits received. 1t is in no sense a
tax OF tribute which when paid secures
the use of the remainder of ones goods
for ones own benefit, free from all obi
cation or danger of a further levy upon
them. Some seem to regard all gifts
made for religious purposes as a direct
payment of premium for some sort of
insurance of life and property, and the
business of the Almighty is to act as
executive of such an organization for
protection. Disease and disaster are
to be averted because of the fidelity
with which the payments are met Not
a little sof this superstition fingers IN
the minds of many who give largely to
the church support 8Fs#At
The necessity for liberaIity arises
from the nature of true religion itself
Whatever one feels intensely and sees
clearly he must express forcibly II
one loves God and sees himself, a child
of God, put in charge for little while
of some of His work and intrusted with
some of God s treasure he soon begins
to search for the best WAYS to invest
the Lords capital that it may do the
best work. He feels obligation and
eagerness to accomplish all possible
with 1t in bringing in Gods kingdom
He does not feel that he is giving his
own SO much as that he,is investing
Gods own and administering for Him.
So if there is need of church build
| ing he helps build it. If there is need
of preacher and a house for him be
aids in that support. If men in far
lands can be reached by the gospel, he
| puts some cash into missions. Doing
this because of his position as a stew
ard of God, he is careful to investigate
needs and search for the most worthy
causes. He carefully examines all
claims and the results of his benefac-
lions. Because a solicitor is urgent he is
not more liberal, but likely to be more
careful to examine the case. He has
no right to waste his Lords goods.
What proportion should he give
That depends entirely upon circum-
stances. A Jewish custom of old time
required the tenth of all that grew
from the ground and all the increase OF
fiocks and herds. AS all Israelites were
supposed to be landholders this was 9
kind of land tax for support of temple
worship-a convenient form for those
times. but not in any sense of the ma
ture of moral obligation for all men
at all times and under different condi
lions of society.
The movement among our young PEG
pie to secure from all the pledge of q
tenth of their income for the service OF
the church may have excellent results
if rightly conceived and carried out. II
it arises from heart devotion it will
blessedly enlarge all spirituality as wei
as bless all whom it reaches. Him thai
gives and him that receives it will
bless. Some can give more than the
tenth. If such stop satisfied with sucf
giving they will not reach the measure
of obligation. Some cannot justly give
SO much to this cause. No pressure, nj
odium, no sense of shame or guilt, should
attach to such. Pharisaic bondage is t
be Stunned strenuously. Right use of ey
cry dollar Should be our intention. Blu
careful calculation will help one to reg
ularity and liberality in giving Gods
goods.