Pacific Union Recorder
November 14, 1907
A Lesson in Liberality—No. 2
Paul's testimony was accepted as of great weight, because of the many revelations he had received. He knew better than did many others the necessities of the various places. But he was unwilling to take personal charge of the raising of the contribution for the relief of the saints at Jerusalem. He had been largely instrumental in causing it to be raised, but, lest any should find occasions to speak evil, Titus and his companions made the journey to Corinth; for there was no safe way of transporting money at that time. PUR November 14, 1907, par. 1
The apostle refers to the fact that a year before, a gift had been pledged; but there had been no realization of this pledge. The apostle now had an efficient helper whom he could send out to the churches reminding them of their pledges, lest they should fail to carry out their good resolutions. It was essential for the repute of the church that they should now make good the promise they had made a year before. PUR November 14, 1907, par. 2
“For as touching the ministering to the saints,” the apostle continues, “it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready; lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 3
“God loveth a cheerful giver,” and those who love Him will give freely and cheerfully when by so doing they can advance His cause and promote His glory. The Lord never requires His people to offer more than they are able, but according to their ability He is pleased to accept and bless their thank-offerings. Let willing obedience and pure love bind upon the altar every offering that is made to God; for with such sacrifices He is well pleased. PUR November 14, 1907, par. 4
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work; (as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad: he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 5
Many exceeding great and precious promises has the Lord made to the liberal: PUR November 14, 1907, par. 6
“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 7
“Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 8
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; . . . the liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 9
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 10
“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for He giveth of his bread to the poor.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 11
“The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 12
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 13
“For the administration of this service, not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” PUR November 14, 1907, par. 14
There are some who are liberal with their gifts, and these gifts call forth the grateful praise of those who through them are given a knowledge of the gospel. The givers become the subject of the prayers of those who receive the benefit of the offerings made. PUR November 14, 1907, par. 15
The Spirit of God is grieved when those church-members who have means withhold the offerings that would help the work to be carried forward rapidly and extensively. Will not our church-members become intelligent in regard to the needs of the missionary fields, and respond to the efforts that are being made to secure help for those workers who are laboring in difficult places? Who with Paul will seek to stir up the churches to a spirit of liberality for these needy fields? Not only in the South but in many places the work is hard to carry, and the workers are compelled, as it were, to make brick without straw. PUR November 14, 1907, par. 16
To all our people I bear the message: If we will be sanctified, soul, body, and spirit, to do the will of the Lord, He will walk in our midst as a light from heaven. Let there be a breaking up of every selfish method of labor, and let each help the other, as one great converted brotherhood. PUR November 14, 1907, par. 17
Mrs. E. G. White