The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-23


He ought not to give II all away
for his own needs and the need OF
those dependent on him must be met.
But, every dollar of his possession can
be really and truly used for God, IL
he lives a life In keeping with the
word of God, and uses what he Goes
not need for this to do the work OF
the Lord in meeting the needs OF
others. To adopt right standards OF
living Is to insure that we shall have
something 10 give,
All that we have should be used to
accomplish Gods will, His purposes
converge and center In His kingdom.
The prosperity and progress OF His
kingdom Is His constant care.
We are part OF the Kingdom, and
whatever Is spent on self to promote
the kingdom Is rightly spent.
Scripturai Using on Self.
From the Scriptures We can deduce
three general classes of the right use
OF money on self or family:
/. The necessities OF lie
. The building OF character.
3. The enlarging of opportunity for
usefulness in lie.
We shall differ widely perhaps In
our application OF these general prin-
clptSs to our daily lie.
1t is difficult for any of us to say
Just what will build character and en-
large opportunity in life. But hy
study OF the Scripture and earnest
supplication each may know his duty
from day to day,
Necessary Expenses.
Our appeal to the word of God
shows manner OF life simple and
comparatively inexpensive.
Jesus had no place TO lay His head.
He could have made money had He
given His attention 10 II. but he loved
men rather than money.
The apostles went without scrip or
purse.
Daily bread or the daily portion is
measure of our need. Having fsod
and rainment let us be herewith
content.
How does the scripture rsbuke the
expensive manner OF living In which
many eff us indulge
The Building of Character.
But the scriptures DO not teach as
ceticisn. We are to get much out of
life. We are TO build character. and
whatever does this is proper and
right.
Education, culture soeiaf inter-
course. the arts and Iiterature.-~w
ever develops character after the New
Testament ideals--these are goou aud
"o But , h ees may be was,eful ex-
penditure for any OF these good on
jects. and there will he unless IL is
held in check by the thought Of the
worlds needs. If we deal honestly
and prayerfully with the whole ques-
ton We need not err.
Whatever enlarges opportunity IN
FIFE either for development or service
is worthy expenditure, such ss
special study. or enlarged equipment
for work. or the securing Of suita-
bile environment The enlargement
Of vision made possible by travel and
the increased power for work secured
hy rest and recreation and the pro-
iongation Of life by recuperaticn.
these ana other things which increase
our effectiveness as working parts
OF the kingdom are right and prop
err.
Still let him be exceedinly careful
or ne will lose sight of the goal. which
In Christ and His Kingdom. He can
waste much of the Lords money in
the ways indicated above--and he will
unless he spends prayerfuily and for
zoo.
To he Gods man. To do His Will
To live for Christ. To do all to the
glory of God. To grow. and learn
and work for God To deny ones
self. To beware of cWetousness. -
preach the gospel to every creature
To spend on self that we may be
more and do more In the great work
Such standards of living will insure
a proper balance between that used
on self and used on others.
His Standards of Giving.
Giving is like God. for God Is ever
giving No man can read Gods word
without perceiving that giving should
have a large place In the life of a
child OF God.
In erecting his standards of giving
he should go direct to the Bible, his
1t is in keeping with the character
OF the Bible that II does not bind men
TO rigid scheme OF benevolence. We
are not under a system of taxation
or payment of dues. God does not
assess us In certain part of our pos
sessions, the payment of which leaves
us free TO use the rest AS we may
choose. II Is true he taught the Jew
ish church 10 pay tithes. but he
taught them TO make other gifts also
The Place of the 1.-THE.
To get the seripturai idea of giving
we must take the whole Bible. Taken
as a whole the Bible does not teach
any man to rest In the gift or pay
ment of the 1.-THE The Old Testament
the 1.-THE. The New Tesla
ment does not abrogate or repeal the
La NJ the tifhe Nathan daas ~