The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-10
Stewardship in Making
Money-Dr. billiard

Stewardship in making money was the
theme of an interesting sermon preached
by DR.. James E. billiard at the South
side Baptist church before a large en-
gregation yesterday morning. He took his
text from Deut. Wills. Thou shalt re-
member Jehovah thy God. for it is He
that giveth the power to get wealth.
DR.. billiard said in part:
Stewardship does not begin in giving
money, but in making it. God expects
men to make money, and If they do II
honestly and for a good purpose it is as
holy and as acceptable to him as preach
ing. The man who hid his lords money
and failed to make more was condemned.
God gives US ability, time and opportun-
ity, and we should use them for his glory
and the good of the world.
We must distinguish between possess
sion and ownership. l own perfectly
good umbrella, but it is in the possession
of somebody else. The war has taught us
that possession is not nine points in the
law. The man who said What's mine is
NINE, has found out differently. Uncle
Samuel said, You will just turn over a
part of that money to me. have a claim
on it Men whose incomes exceeded
81 900 were required to acknowledge the
claims of the government to the tune of
6S per cent surtax. l saw a list of large
taxpayers a few days ago. John D.
Rockefeler's income was reported at $780,,
100000; his tax was s3S.400,0o0. Andrew
Carnegie was reported at $4,000 900; his
tax was S. 400, 600. The first 26 in the list
had a combined income of 200, and
paid the government 10000 4i4 tax.
God holds the first mortgage on all
you possess. AS between you and another
man, it is yours; but as between you and
God. it is His, and you must consult His
wishes about it. The earth and the full
ness thereof is His.
There are three partners in the getting
of wealth. First, God, who furnishes the
raw materials, life and power. Second,
the individual, who furnishes his time,
talent and energy, all of which, how
ever, came ultimately from God And
third, society. which furnishes the mar
ket or demand. The farmer plows and
plants; God furnishes the soil, rain. sun
shine and all the powers of nature; So
ciety offers a market. Each partner in
the business has a right.
"A blast furnice is said to require 10000
cubic feet of air each minute. This air
weighs one and a half tons. It requires
80 tons of air per hour or 2160 tons per
day. God also furnishes the iron ore, the
coal, the limestone and the life of the
workers. How much of the profits is
God entitled to? We have discussed the
rights of the laboring man, and that is
right. We have spoken at length about
the right of the capitalist to a fair re-
turn upon his investment, and that is
right. too. But how about the rights of
Almighty God? His cause is languishing
for lack of funds while the people are
spending His money in luxury and often
in riotous living. There is day of reck-
oning coming. You will never make any
thing by cheating God.
Can a man be a successful business
man and recognize the principles of stew
ardship? That is the only way he can
be permanently successful The Lord
knoweth the way of the righteous, but the
way of the ungodly shall perish"