The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-10

- - 4Stidn retrench IN his giving, when
financially Strengthened? Yes. certain
| "; If he is Obliged to cut down in all
directions, and if he maintains the pro-
per proportions on the reductions
70 make beneVolence suffer while lux
ur1eS and pleasures thrive, to be self
denying at the expense of Gods work,
IS scarcely an act of fair dealing. But
we must pay our debts first" says the
householder, who has clearer vision for
the near fact than for the abiding gen
eral principle. Certainly, debts must
be paid; including debts to God. If
we grant the correctness of the teach
Ing concerning the Christians obliga-
ton to give, then it becomes a real OBJ
legation, more real than the obligation
TO wear certain style of clothes, eat a
certain style of meals. and live in a.
certain style of house
The puzzling. problem Of proportion
in giving is solved by adopting some
fixed ratio. It is not required of the
Christian. as of the old Jew, that hel
give a tenth of his income to the Lord,
any more than it is required that he1
obey the Mosaic enactm ents concern
ing food. We are under grace. and not
under law. This point needs to be
seen clearly, else the Jealous tither will
find himself in difficulties Under
standing definitely that the New Tesla
ment does not lay upon the Christian
any obligation to pay the 1.-THE. we
may yet take the position that a tenth
able proposition to devote to the Lord.
This IS 81 good working basis. The
Christian has more reason to devote
One-tenth of his goods to God than had
the old Hebrew. When a man is set
ting aside this much Systematically, he
can at least feel that he is trying to do
fairly. The old Levitical rule gives a
useful Standard; and standard is
what is most needed, for few of US can
trust our own impulses In a case like
this where our own interests are so
directly concerned. A man may have
given ten dollars six months ago to
some charity, and in the virtuous con-
seriousness of that good deed refuse all
subsequent calls; whereas he should
have been giving twenty-five dollars
every month for charitable purposes
In all ethical questions. frail human
nature needs a standard, and in no re-
spect more than in this one of benevol-
the old Jewish tithing system will serve
wondrously we'll
A law of life. perceived by the Wise
Man of o1den time. is that 1.-THE liber
al soul shall be made fat" y depict
ed bank account may represent an en-
larged life. Less MOI ey may mean
mora man. Conversely, 'The stingy
soul shall be made lean" Who does
not know examples of thrift, penuri-
Gus persons who have enlarged their
hoard of treasure at the cost of their
souls: they have money, but nothing
else.
Another Wisdom Saving is, ''There is |
that scattereth and vet increaseth; and
there is that withholdeth more than is
meet. but it tendeth to poverty" Paul !
gave new form to the same truth when |
he said, HE which sOWeth sparingly |
shall reap also sparingly: and he which |
soweth bountifully shall reap also boun- |
tifully."
~-I- L.
"God loveth a cheerful giver'' The |
gift which the giver does not enjoy is |
no pleasure to God, though it may
benefit the recipient.
Liberality enlarges life.
Some men give according to their
means, and some according to their
meanness.' runs a bright saying.
Saint Francis Xavier. the noble Jes-
uit missionary. said that in the confess
siona7 men bod corf~-eed ~ r=--- III
sins that he knew and some that he
had never ina eined. hut mono had ever
of his own accord confessed that he
was covetous.- Observation-Disclosures
The giving -aw is the law of life.
In the deepes+ intern citation. we live
to give Failure grasp this philos-
ophy has stunted many lives who lost
by getting. when they would have won
by giving.
Here is a man, rich. learned. wise.
who astutely endeavors to win the good
opinion of his fellows He gives
shrewdly in ways that he thinks be-
fitting his station: and usually his left
hand knows all about his right hands
doings. Actually. the total Of his cite
to various charitable and religious
causes is large: though relatively to
his possessions and income it is small
Yet that man has missed his mark.
His gifts do not win him gratitude or
of public praise. His clever
policy is seen through by nearly eveTv-
body. There is a general feeling among
his neiehhors that all he does is
prompted by calculating seIf-interest
He is not generous at heart While /
he gives a carefully measured dole oe .
money. he is not lavish of himself And / .
'the gift without the giver IS hare ;,
A person may so freely give of bir7sa1P
mat ne is recognized as possessed of I
the virtue of generosity, even though
he have little or no money to besfov7
God gave his Son. Jesus gave him. ]
self. Paul first gave his own self to ]
the churches. Christians are exhorted
to give themselves, living offerinp /
The divinest principle in ali the mi
verse is that which goes under fhe I
name Of generosity I
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS
Speak with the speech of the world
think with the thoughts of the few
John Hay.
Still achieving. stin prusuing,
Learn to labor and to wait. I
-Longfellow. s
Amid the bowling wintry sea.
We are in port if we have Thee. z