Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-25
Use What We Have
Sermon by
ltev. Floyd w. TOInlsins.
Text: Acts. iii. ITO.
Text: Acts. iii. lilo.

/
The Master said. "Whosoevcr hath, to
him shall be given" est. Matthew. xiii,
~. And he evidently implied that pos
session means the right using of tina,
which is possessed, for a man does not
really have thing unless he uses it.
Possession is said to be nine points. of
the law. but that is one of those flimsy
sayings which deny themselves by their
very foolishncss. man may think he
Is wealthy. but If he stores his wealth.
or does not use 1t for the good Of the
world, he is very poor man may
think he has Intelligence: bat il he
does ont try to help others with his
knowledge, he is ignorant. \ man may
seem to have physical Strength, but If
he docs not use that strength in the
right way. he is Ecakling no mat
ter how much he rnay boast Of his
muscle and Drawn. The law Of life
can only he sustained by exercise. We
live by living. The law of God is that
we can only prove ourselves fit to re-
ccive a blessing by giving a blessing.
VIC should remember that all we
have is given to us in trust, in order
that we may use il proftabiy. We are
false TO that trust if we fail to use.
just as much as II used wrongly
We are too ready to claim that we have
done this or that. and that we have
done IT through our own unaided effort.
- ~ tuite easy 10. us IN our pride to
imagine that We have succeeded be-
cause Of our own application or our
own genius. Yet know that not a
single function of our body or brain
would act were IL not for Gods OK
citing power. And we arc learning
daily that this power is a personal
relationship. not a continuous action Of
a force once mystcriously started on
it's way
The moment we realize that God is
with us that what wn have comes from
Him and also that He looks to us for
right use OF that which He has given
us. we find now power and lew
inspiration. y true man feels himself
honored by a trust. He is led 20 take
special care OF tina, which is committed
10 him because IL is not his own. When
therefore we know that God has given
us whatever We have in order that We
may use 1t rightly. we catch an en-
thusiasm in living which cannot other
wise be known
EVERYTHING ~ NATURE
HAS ITS PECULIAR SHARE
Sometimes VIC think that we have
nothing because we have not studied
ourselves and noted our possessions
Sometimes. again. we neglect a talon.
because II seems 20 he small and in
significant. This is quite unworthy OF
any man who uses his Judgment and
realizes the meaning OF his existence
Nothing is small insignificant in
Gods sight. Everything In nature has
its own peculiar share in the fulfill
ment OF Gods plan. Indeed. wha, we
call the great things Of life would he
unknown We're it not for the little
things upon which they rest. The
foundation OF house is out of sight
and men wonder AT the superstructure:
but there could be no Visible BUILDING;
but for the foundation. Let US never
IA Ia hi Il
believe that they arc the most impor-
tant things in the world. Kind words
and little deeds OF love are the pow
crs which make life beautiful and
bring II. under Gods guidance. near TO
perfection.
In using whatever We have we must
ask God to direct us. One OF the won
derful facts OF christianity is that
Christ stands ready to help us in every
little particular. and He is interested
in all that We have to do bcca use we
are His children. Hence the strength
or the morning prayer. IN which We
Ask God to direct us in all have to
do throughout the day. Hence the JOY
OF being able 10 III, up the heart
from time 10 time in the midst of the
busy hours. and ask guidance. And
hence the assurance that what we do
must bring forth fruit in due season.
Christianity means that constant re-
lance upon God which brings every
thing. consciously or unconsciously, be-
fore Him and asks His blessing 10 rest
upon ii.
HAVE SHARE IN GODS PLAN.
WHATEVER 1T MAY DE
We must remember that mysterious
and hidden though Gods plan may be-
nevertheless We have 4 share in it: and
that plan will come TO a speedy full
hllment Just in proportion to our fidcl-
ity. III can but realize when | write
my letter or sell my goods or run my
machine or visit sick person. that
am weaving thread in the beautiful
tapestry which at last shall rejoice the
hearts of those who enter Heaven. then
my daily occupations become wonder
fully rich and my doing of them n de-
light. We arc not some have said,
working blindly in this world. 1t is
true we cannot tell just how God is
working His purpose out but we know
that lie has a purpose and that we
arc workers together with Him. There
fore. we are not going on. ignorant
OF the meaning and end of life. butt we
are doing each one his share in work
ing out the purpose Of God. That is
what makes life worth while. 1t
arouses the despairing man TO enthu-
sasm. 1t lifts UP the weak and sickly
to height where the sunshine shows
all men OF equal Importance in Gods
sight. The man Of one talent if h.
uses MS talcnt rlSntly, Is just as much
loved of God as the man who has ten
talents.
While God helps us and guides u.s.
we must remember that He has given
us intelligence. and we must exercise
wisdom in order. that may do our
best. I must try to think how | can
do my work better. | must plan how
hest to use this or that gift which God
has given me- I sometimes wonder
whether we think enough about this
We arc so apt to go along in an easy
fashion. letting things. as we say.
"shapc themselves" when we ourselves
ought TO shar6 them and make tho
path upon which we tread straight
rather than glide along in an indfficr-
Ont sort OF way. The glory Of tho
brain is not shown by the study Of
intricate problems, the solution OF
which is quite beyond human power;
nor is he always the wisest man who
works at philosophy which cannot
help men I'm their daily les. He s
the brainy man who uses his inteIliE-
encc In daily living and tries his best
to exercise whatever gifts he may have
fp..l r.; "a.