The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-12-07

-I4 II, however,
they would read
their Bible more carefully, they would
find that 1t is quite possible to help
any good cause if they SO desire. Paul
was "a poor man, and yet he had
learned the secret of making many
rich, even In his poverty. So can you
learn the same secret If you will. Read
over that verse again In II Cor. 9:S,
which says, God is able to make all
grace abound toward you; that We, al
ways having all sufficiency In all
things, may abound unto every good
work" Such was this grace that out
Of their deep poverty they raised a
contribution so large as to be noted
through all the region round about.
When, then, God calls upon us to ex-
ercise the grace Of liberality, let us not
excuse ourselves because we have not
the means, but remembering his prom
Use, ask him to supply the means, that
we may "abound in this grace ALSO.
In some way, we may be sure, he will
enable us to respond to every appeal
which deeply touches our hearts, for
why should he awaken these strong
desires unless he has somewhere the
means of gratifying them?
There are certain things, however,
which even the poorest of us can do
to help fill the Lords treasury; and
these require neither time nor money
in large quantities, but thoughtful
minds and loving hearts.
In the first place, we can make our
selves intelligent. Study the mission
airy movements of the day, the wants
and woes Of the heather world. the
aiseedcnian calls for help. BY the
time you have become intelligent you
viii also be enthusiastic, and you now
have two rare qualifications for rails
ing money. Evince your own interest,
and you will be sure to interest others.
Teach your children the duty Of stew
ardship and the blessedness of sys-
tematic giving. Garry it into your
Sunday School class and the Christian
Endeavor Society. Remember that
every child or youth trained In this
way will help the Lords treasury for
q lifetime.
Do not make yourself obnoxious, but
hold it up as blessed privilege which
no one can afford to lose. Secure some
good leaflets setting forth the idea of
stewardship, and distribute them WISE
~ with prayer that God will add his
blessing,
And we can pray. Here, after all, is
the mightiest weapon In the church's
armory--a weapon greatly relied upon
In the conversion of souls, but too lit
tie esteemed In the taking up Of
collections. Is it not possible that the
church is relying too much upon STIR
ring appeals and fresh information?
By all means make the appeals STIR
ring, scatter fresh facts and figures,
but do not forget that "power belong
eth unto God" Why should we not
pray that God will bless those who
make good use of their money, and
entrust them with more; that he will
influence those who are about making
their wills, and persuade them to re-
member their Solder brother in their
bequests? Christians frequently unite
In prayer for the conversion of indi-
viduals; why not also select men of
means and prey that God will .bestow
upon them the grace of liberality Are
there not some undeyeloped resources
In that direction?
Years ago the church began to pray
that God would open the doors Of the
heather world to the gospel. The
prayer was answered. Then the cry
was, "Lord, send forth laborers into
the harvest" and thousands Of youths
have responded to that prayer. The
urgent need of the present hour is
money. Could not this want also be
met by the power Of united prayer?
l know Of country lad twenty-three
years Of age who was working on
farm for twenty dollars month. He
bad received little education, and had
no rich friends, and yet inside of two
years ne was supporting six native
preachers in the foreign field, and had
persuaded forty-four other people to
support a substitute, making fifty
preachers of the Gospel that he was
instrumental in putting into the for
eign field inside of two years.
On, for ten thousand consecrated
souls who will make this theme of
daily and special prayer, that God will
cause the grace of iberality to abound
among his people! viii you be one?
And will you show your sincerity by
giving as you pray?
Armed With the Right.