The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-14
BUSINESS LOSSES"
SERMON BY DIR. MACSPORRAN

AT the First Presbyterian church, DIR.
John A. MacSporran preached an orig
inal and impressive sermon from the
text And as thy servant was busy here
and there. he was gone" Kings 20:4o
In speaking OF worldwide considera-
tons In the business world, DR.. MacSpor
ran said The vast tidal wave of pros
perlty that carried us far from our old,
safe familiar moorings has suddenly re-
eeded, leaving ruin in it's wake, and
wrecks stranded on our shores Busi-
ness losses is the supreme interest of the
hour. The human circle of this eco
nonic and social disaster makes a strong
appeal to our hearts.
Without minimizing this aspect of the
matter. | am here to affirm there are
far worse kinds of business losses than
the ones most men are lamenting. There
IS side that does not show on your
ledger. 1t is Gods view and statement
of the business mans losses. II we arc
Christians at all we must know there are
values far above the Values of the mar
ket place. Our real treasure is in the
kingdom Of God and ali that robs us of
that Is snare and delusion
"Of course our business is important
and to work to the full measure of our
ability is our Christian duty The Bible
teaches this There is no argument
among sensible people about the mat
ter. But the plea CT business is given
as the arch decision. When we are con-
fronted with our failures, our neglect OF
duty. our shrinking from responsibilities
what can we say in self defense? i
am sorry but you see / have been so
busy. The text says. And while | was
busy mere and there. he was gone
rink OF what we nave missed, the
precious opportunities We have neglect
90, the attachments of heart and char
acter we have foregone because we were
here and there doing this and that.
while the golden hour passed. These are
our most costly and serious business
losses.
Perpetual devotion to what a man
calls his business is only sustained BY
perpetual neglect of many other things
And it is not by any means certain that
a mans business is the most important
thing he has to do" I'VE are never too
busy to try and secure the prizes and
successes on the other side OF the ac-
count What of those on Gods side?
Gods gifts to US are costly We see
men broken physically. nursing a flick
ering flame of abused vitality They
have given themselves to business, spent
their strength like a prodigal. Then when
health failed, God spoke to their souls
o man, where is the precious gift Of
health l intrusted to your and the man
answers, o Lord, as thy servant was
busy here and there. it was gone
I'VE can do but one thing at time,
and we must judge Of the value Of what
we are doing by, what it displaces. The
average American thinks he is too busy
for the highest and best things of life
When he is rich, he doesn't realize how
poor he Is. He has not had time to Gull
tivate the gift of friendship, the eye for
beauty. the companionship of his chill
dren Where is your little boys? AS
thy servant was busy here and there, he
was gone. He is a man now. ! can't
touch him..
Some day God will say, Where is thy
soul? The waiting Christ stands at the
door of our hearts Beware lest we say
we are too busy for Cod