ONE L ITTLE HOUR
THE CROSS
nant method and finding it difficult, if not impossible, to harmonize the law of the tithe with the principles under grace. It should be clearly taught that as we have new principles of life and conduct under grace, so we also have new principles of giving under grace. The central New Testament passages about giving are to be found in Second Corinthians 8 and 9, and First Corin thians 16, the first few verses of that chapter. Briefly stated, the New Testa ment system of giving is not that one- tenth of the Christian’s wealth belongs to Christ, but ten-tenths of his wealth, and the Christian belongs to Christ too, and Christ belongs to the Christian. What a marvelous exchange this is! But God is practical too, and for the purpose of carrying on His testimony in this world, the Holy Spirit suggests that the Christian give as God has first pros pered him (1 Cor. 16:2). In other words, when the Christian is especially blessed with this world’s goods he should give abundantly to God’s enterprises. There are some of God’s children who can easily live on one-tenth of their income, thus leaving nine-tenths free for the propagation of the gospel. But of course most of God’s children have, smaller incomes. These incomes are to be divided proportion ately, but with a willing, cheerful heart. However, God desires that we should be systematic and on the first day of the week make a reckoning with Him, put ting aside some of the income for the work of Christ. More than that, God offers us a chal lenge in this matter of giving and sug gests in Second Corinthians 9:6 that giving is somewhat like sowing seed. If we sow bountifully we reap bounti fully, whereas if we sow sparingly or grudgingly, that is the type of harvest we will have. Here then is opportunity— here is .advancement in the matter of dollars and cents. God challenges us to test Him and sow abundantly, promising an abundant harvest. Not that the har vest must needs be abundant in material wealth which may become a curse, but abundant in the true riches of peace, satisfaction, health, and genuine accom plishments. What an advance this is on the kindergarten method of Old Testa ment giving! What a challenge to the spiritual life of mature Christians! Let us go forth and work a work for God by sowing bountifully in His vineyard. May God Deliver Us T HE curse of Christian service is professionalism. When one who is engaged in full time ministry for God becomes so adept and so trained and clever that he may attempt to meet the problems of other people by his own ability, that is tragedy indeed. The first lesson of the true servant of God is to learn to walk humbly. The supply of the spiritual grace and wisdom is never given in large doses. The pastor or Christian worker must come daily, yea, hourly before the throne of grace and seek the necessary wisdom and A P R I L , 19 50
In evil long I took delight.
Unawed by shame or fear, Till a new Object struck my sight, And stopped my wild career. I saw One hanging on a tree, In agonies and blood, Who fixed His languid eyes on me, As near His cross I stood. Sure, never till my latest breath Can I forget that look, It seemed to charge me with His death, Though not a word He spoke. My conscience felt and owned the guilt, And plunged me in despair; I saw my sins His blood had spilt, And helped to nail Him there. Alas, I knew not what I did: But now my tears are vain; Where shall my trembling soul be hid? For I the Lord have slain. A second look He gave, which said, "I freely all forgive: This blood is for thy ransom paid, I die that thou mayst live." Thus while His death my sin displays in all its blackest hue; Such is the mystery of grace, It seals my pardon, too. With pleasing grief and mournful joy My spirit now is filled, That I should such a life destroy, Yet live by Him I killed. —John Newton. strength for the task at hand. Never does the Christian worker reach a plateau of spiritual accomplishments where he no longer needs to bow his head and his heart and prayerfully seek favor from on high. We must also sorrowfully add that it is all too true that a great deal of Christian service is carried on profes sionally. Sermons are preached in the power of natural oratory. Seeking souls are dealt with according to the laws of psychiatry. Men and women are given directions taken from books written by leading educators and emphasis is made on wisdom attained through experience. Consequently Christians are ofttimes wrongly led, sermons are dry of spirit ual content, and advice is given which is not from God at all, simply because the Christian servant or worker has depended upon his own professional experience. May we learn the lesson that we will only be able to be of genuine service to others as we are daily in contact with the source of true strength. While not disparaging experience or education, still let our reliance be not upon any of these things, but upon the living God who daily giveth us the manna of true wisdom and strength from on high.
One little hour for watching with the Master, Eternal years to walk with Him in white; One little hour to bravely meet disaster, Eternal years to walk with Him in light. One little hour to suffer scorn and losses, Eternal years beyond earth's cruel frowns; One little hour to carry heavy crosses, Eternal years to wear unfading crowns. One little hour for weary toils and trials, Eternal years for calm and peaceful rest; One little hour for patient self-denials, Eternal years where life is ever blest. Then, souls, be brave, and watch until tomorrow, Awake, arise, your lamps of purpose trim; Your Saviour speaks across the night of sorrow; Can ye not then watch one brief hour with Him? DWELL DEEP The diver goes down into the depths of the ocean for pearls—the miner into the heart of the earth for coal and gold. Much risk and time are necessary if men would win the mineral wealth of the world. That is an infallible law in ac quisition of worthwhile things in this life. Yet we find many Christians who seem to think that they can live shallow super ficial lives and still become strong, wise, rich and holy in spiritual things. The watchword for full orbed Christian life is —Dwell Deep. — Old, Paths Page Five
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