The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-10-14
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
A Question of Importance to the
Churches.
To the Editor of The Republican.

To the Editor of The Republican.
Allow me to call the attention of
your readers to question of vast i'm
portance yet one that is sadly neglected
in these days. It is financial in its
nature. it's true, but 1t is vital to the
interest of our churches and through
them to the world at large.
DR.. Gordon, an eminent divine said
before his death. that there we touch
the most vital point pertaining to the
conservation and spiritual power of the
church
The right use of money is essential
to the evangelization of the world, the
church and the we'll being of the giver.
The Kingdoms of the world will not be-
come the kingdoms of Christ until the
money power is christianized-Isa 6:59.
The first duty of every man is to
God.
Paul says of the Macedonians, they
first gave themselves to the Lord.
If love leads to surrender to the Lord,
then difficulties concerning money
vanish. 1t is selfshness of soul, lack
of love and trust and full surrender
which accounts for failure to live and
give as we ought.
If we love the world, the love of the
Father is not in US. Love of money is
the root of all evil.
A supreme love for God drives out
the love of the world, selfshness, and
love of money has palsied the liberality
of the church. True conversion in
cludes the pocket book. If not, we
haven't gone deep enough to find an
adequate foundation for right and
christian use of property.
Growing out of our new relation to
Christ is one which involves radically
different conception of our relation to
our possessions. . Christians are stew
ards, trustees; nothing is really ours
but our sins. We are husbandmen. If
fact every man is whether he is a
christian or not. To recognize this in
practical living there must. be deeper
love of God in the heart.
Lacking this the young Ruler TUNED
away and Ananias lied to the Holy
Ghost.
DR.. Livingston had the right idea
when he said, 81 will place no value on
any thing have, except in relation to
the Kingdom of Christ"
This does not mean that we must put
it out of our hands, or beyond the con.
troll of our own wills.
Of the lazy servant it was said, take
from him what he hath. 1t means that
we determine what use to make of
them by one criterion, that is, Gods
glory and the advancement of his cause.
AS trustees we haYe no right to do as
we please with our money. RESPONSE
bility extends to getting, using and
giving, money.
1t all belongs to the Lord and we are
to use it for His glory.
Another principle must be recognized
and that is, the manner, amount, OBJ
ject and times of giving must be &C
cording to Scripture teaching.
The manner has to do with the marks
OF cody living, self-denial and SYM
pathy.
You feel what you give and give be-
cause you feel it and for the blessed
ness thereof. Isa 5S:1O.11.
In more than 200 places do the
scriptures direct about that part of our
trust which is turned over to the Lord s
servants for his work.
But the question comes up-Is there
rule to govern US?
If there is rule, it implies authority
to give-Is such rule in the bible? If
not. then each one is rule to himself.
If there is divine rule we must follow
1t, as we would obey any righteous law.
The ancient people of God recognized
and followed the rule.
Inc law was the tlthe or one tenth.
Abraham gave tithes to Mulchizedik
Gen. 1s:20. The law was $50 years old
before Moses.
Paul in Heb. rs refers to this as an
evidence of Abraham's piety.
This was approved by the Old and
New Testaments.
Two generations later Gen. 1922,
when Jacob set up his pillar, he vowed
to give one tenth to the Lord. See
Numb. 18:21.26. On Sinai. Moses re-
ceived the divine law, Ley. 27:3O.3" and
all the 1.-THE of the land whether of
seed of the land, or of fruit of tree, is
the Lords, it is holy unto the Lord. If
he redeemed it he shall add one fifth
part. the 1.-THE of the herd, or of the
flock shall be holy unto the Lord"
All generations of Israel recognized
it. Deut. Is. Z & Prov 80 bids us