God’s Billion Dollars I N a brochure published by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., it was disclosed that in 48 denominations, with a combined membership of more than 36,000,000, the total gifts dur ing the year 1950 rose to more than $1,000,000,000, which total was about $122,000,000 higher than in 1949. At first sight the sum of a billion dol lars contributed to the Lord’s work seems impressive and would tend to show that the American Christian people are really in earnest about con tributing to causes which further the spreading of the Gospel in this land and in countries across the sea. But when one remembers that the total income of our country amounted to more than $300,000,000,000 for that same year, God’s one billion seems impressively small. Not even one per cent is given to the Lord’s work— only about one-third of one per cent! When we consider that only one-fifth of the population contributed this bil lion dollars, this shows that Christian people gave less than 2% of their income to all forms of the Lord’s work. A further breakdown into one of the largest denominations showed that the average Christian in this church contributed $26.00 per year while perhaps the average income of this same member might have been between $2,000 and $3,000 for the same year. The whole story is that while God has blessed America with exceedingly abundant blessings, and while our shores have been preserved inviolate against enemies’ attacks, still our fi nancial expressions of appreciation to the Giver of all good gifts are piti fully inadequate. What a mighty force we could be if the Christian people of our land were really to become dead in earnest about contri butions for benevolent causes. Nor is God mocked in this, for money which is not freely given is frequently taken away. Our recent defense program has caused a rise in taxes to be felt by almost every man, woman and child in America. Not one billion for defense but tens of bil lions. Nor is that on a contributory basis, but rather a basis which de mands payment. One example in this connection is the recent appeal of Christian forces in Japan voiced by General MacArthur which appealed to the people of America for Bibles and missionaries and which call was almost drowned out by the din of the manufacture and purchase of new T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
that it was quite possibly in the minds of the leaders of the Kremlin to effect a raid upon the rich English and American oil concessions of Iran, a country of itself almost defenseless. But the amazing thing about the map was that it showed another possible military expedition coming from the north and engulfing the land of Israel. This was described as the path to power, revealing an absolutely vital and necessary need on the part of the Russians for additional petroleum re sources to oil the sinews of war. This need is well known in the capitals of the Western nations who are greatly worried over the possibility of a Soviet seizure of additional Near Eastern territory. All of this might be filed in the military or diplomatic pouch were it not for the fact that the Word of God very distinctly cites the inevita bility of such a future raid. In the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel this identical military campaign is minutely outlined, showing the cause, progress and defeat of the Soviet project as seen from the standpoint of heaven’s strategy. Whether the fulfillment of this prophecy be near or far depends entirely upon God’s will and time. No one can say with positive certainty that the day in which we live is the day of Russia’s rise and fall but this much is true that all events seem to be pointing to that all-transcending event when God’s Word shall be fulfilled and His Son will come. Then righteousness and peace will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Bible students will do well to read their newspapers carefully and to listen intently to news broadcasts for in them will be found references to all these things. Even so, come, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Israel’s Progress I N a recent issue of one of Amer ica’s foremost magazines there were two references to the new nation of Israel which, to the Bible student, were both startling and reassuring. The first was a double-page spread, paid for by the Israeli government entitled, “Wine, Diamonds, Ships, Prayer Shawls and You.” The article in itself, an arresting one, pointed out the amazing progress of the Is raeli factories and their potentialities for still further advancement. But in the article there was a very pro nounced reference to the spiritual side of this new nation under the heading of “ Prayer Shawls.” The writer of the advertisement asserted: “ For in a material world, in a world of technological fantasy, these prayer shawls are not merely religious sym bols, but the symbols of a great her itage . . . the indestructible substance which has defied the fires of history for over twenty centuries.” It is no new thing to any one with Bible knowledge that the re-establish ment of the nation of Israel is not merely the culmination of centuries- old desires on the part of the harassed Jewish people, but a very definite working of God’s hand in the national life of God’s ancient chosen people. Surely there is a tremendous coinci dence of Bible prophecy and present- day fulfillment which ought to be more than convincing to the thought ful student of world affairs. In this same issue under the title of, “ Background for War,” a map of the Near East was displayed with the southern end of the Soviet Empire fringing the top of the map and the countries of Turkey, Syria, Arabia and Iran filling out the rest of the picture. The gist of the article was Page Four
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