The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06

laws would consider himself worthy
father and thy mother and "Remen
are positive laws, Our failure to
commandments does not alarm us o
they are more important to civiliza
| From Sthe earliest history Of the
Christian church, there has been left
no doubt in the minds Of those who
carefully read and think with reference
to mans duty concerning money: Money
as it affects character is divided into
,, four fields Of activity-honestly get
ting, wisely, investing and saving, jtl-
diciously : spending and relikiously
giving. The difference between pagan
and Christian business is one Of the
most significant contrasts between two
religions. Tn pagan with selfish in
terest seeks money regardless of every
human being on the earth except those
in his own circle. The Christian is
supposed to make the requirement of
money subject to and subserient to his
service to his fellowman. One, of the
hopeful signs of the times is that. Chris
tianity is awakening to a new sense
and new conscience on business aims
and business methods. "A few out
standing Christians are striking notes
whose martial tones are. bringing many
into the ranks of this progressive move
ment. Hear the heroic statement, II
will undertake no business which win
not in some way, be a distinct service
to my fellowman, and will seek that
which will be the greatest service to
the largest number. / will not invest
money in any enterprise unless it is
shown: clearly to me that such enter
prise will be a. distinct blessing to my
feIlOwman and / will seek investments
where the profit to my fellows will
be- greatest, A man was approached.
some time ago to take stock in GER
tain amusement proposition. He had
Christian standardized give US
standards He said to the agent, II
will thoroughly investigate the. prop
osition. Call again" On the second
call he said to the agent, 1.-THE money
proposition is fine, the securities are
excellent, the profit assured to me is
unusually good. However, after care
full examination, am thoroughly con-
WINGED not only in my judgement, but
from the judgment-of the best Chris
tians IN our community that the in
| fluence of the institution will not re-
bound to Goodness and piety. and to
the moral profit of the community,
therefore, as a Christian, l. must de-
cline. ! regard myself as a steward
of God. Every dollar of my money is
trust from his treasury. cannot
put his money in such institutions"
When Christianity shall conform to
this standard, two things will happen
| first, consistent Christian service will
win the favor of the nom Christian
world; second, the problems of civiliza-
ton WILDE largely met.
All students of economy agree that
there, is neither wisdom, happiness or
consistency in pilihg up large sums Of
money. A short time ago, L asked
John ID. Rockefeller one of the largest
property owners in America, the di-
rect question, would you advise the
young men Of America, to seek to be-
come owners of large wealthH' His
reply was significant taking, his age,
his possessions and his experience into
conideration-"I think. every young
man ought to make. every dollar he
can honestly mad conscientiously, but
he ought not to keep it. He ought
to give it away" Here is the circu-
lation of atmosphere, the current of
streams that brings purity and whole
someness. Here is the picture of the
Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The
Sea- of sGaililee receives the Jordan
fresh, cool and swift from the melted
SHOWS of Hermon, refreshing and vital
izing itself. 1t pours out INTO the
Jordan practically the same volume
which it receives. The Dead Sea re-
ceires but does not give out. The
happy village, the prattIing children,
the singing birds, the sporting fish
make the Sea of Gaililee a picture of
good, refreshment and JOY. The Dead
Sea with no cottage or hut or boat,
no child or fish or bird, no song or
laughtersor sign, of 9life, poor desolate
Dead Sea, is the picture of the man
who receives and does not give. The
pagan gathers and holds; the Chris
tian is supposed to gather and distrib-
ute Here is the contrasted fields of
the .'skin-flint" and the benefactor.
Liberal giving will not condone> or
Justify selfishness. When incomes are
large, apparently large sums may be
donated for beneyolences but in sharp
and painful contrast to this, teemen-
dous sums are squandered on personal
not to say foolish ,indulgences of dis
plays and luxuries. Al very. rich manu-
facturer said to me some time since,
Il have always been liberal sup
porter of the church." was invited
to his home. found a family OF four
husband, wife, son and daughter. i
noted the wife, son and daughter each
had an automobile and the husband
had twO-all of the most costly type.
noted also that all other personal
Injuries were on. this same extrayagant
order. On his voluntary statement of
the approximate amount he had given
to all 'benevolencesssI. figured the total
would not cover. the running expenses
of his five cars. i do not condemn
luxuries. Issubmit that if 1.-THE were
put to the gross income, the record
would be notifying in the face Of
Gods rich blessings. God has put the
very law in our nature rendering us
restless and unhappy in proportion as
we are selfish and indulgent..
The. converse is true that our great.
est happiness is derived from the rich
fruits Of liberal, bountiful giving. From
the earliest account Of divine worship
and service, the act of giving has
formed an important part as an ex-
preston of gratitude for Gods bounty.
At the same time this act of worship
has been regulated by specific law. as
to exact proportions. At others it has
been left to the option and lberality
of the worshipper. Sometimes it has
descended to taxation under which
| the people have become restless and ir-
ritant. With all the changes and GUS