The Faithful Steward | Page 8

the Jews
respecting tithes in the time of Christ; and at the present period, by the
payment of periodical contributions in the Romish church.
Besides, as a general rule must apply to all classes and conditions
indiscriminately, the bestowment of the designated sum would satisfy
the consciences, not only of the poor, but also of the rich, who ought,
unquestionably, to contribute oftentimes far more than one tenth of
their annual increase, or any other proportion which the most generous
philanthropy might appoint; thus both rendering them deaf to
extraordinary calls, and, when the truth, so agonizing to the carnal heart,
that our all belongs to God, is pressed with vital intensity on the mind,
affording a secure retreat to the tortured conscience.
Such an arrangement also would often fail to meet the yearnings of the
Christian heart. The sympathy of the true Christian is as deep and
far-reaching as human suffering. Neither one, nor two, nor three tenths,
would be regarded as sufficient on particular emergencies. Such was
the case with the Macedonians of whom Paul says, "That in a great trial
of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty
abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, yea, and
beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with
much entreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the
fellowship of the ministering to the saints." The Christian king of the
Friendly Islands felt the same burstings of a Christian heart. The
missionary says of him: "He had not often gold or silver to give. But
one time he had obtained ten pounds from the ship for food he had sold.

How much do you think he gave to the missionary society? One pound?
Five pounds? This would have been a great deal. But he did more; he
gave the whole!"
It would not meet the requisitions of the command, "Thou shalt love
they neighbor as thyself." Would an Irish lord, amidst the scenes
recently experienced in his unhappy country, surrounded by hundreds
and thousands of miserable beings, starving, sick, and dying, be
justified in view of this law, by contributing to their relief a bare tenth
of his income? Every noble heart will answer in the negative. These
times of agony demanded far greater sacrifices.
Thus all efforts to fix upon a definite ratio of income or property of
universal obligation, will give constant ground for questions of
casuistry inevitably tending rather to screen the conscience, than to
stimulate to generous activity.
But what does the Gospel teach us on the subject? The religion of the
Gospel begins in the heart. "Son, give me the heart," is its fundamental
precept. In the Gospel scheme, every individual stands by himself, on
his own responsibility; he is bound by a personal tie to his Maker. The
conduct it prescribes is entirely spiritual. It requires a burning heart,
shedding its light and heat on all around. According to its code, every
act must gush from holy love. It does not prescribe just the amount of
action to be put forth, in any one direction; but the heart and conscience
of each, guided by wisdom from above, are to direct him. It is thus with
Angels and the redeemed about the throne. A holy heart, bathed in the
truth of heaven, is all the general rule they need to enable them to
discharge their duties, and to adapt themselves to the various
circumstances in which they may be placed to eternity. Such is their
moral state, that the least intimation of Jehovah's will sends them
speeding on wings of fire to do his pleasure. The Gospel places man on
earth in the same relation to him, and intends that he shall act on the
same general principles. It teaches us that all we have belongs to God,
and that all we do must be done to his glory. A soul, permeated by this
heavenly spirit, would find a knowledge of the destitution and woes of
others, and an ability to relieve them, a sufficient stimulant and guide.

Angel-like, it would send forth spontaneously the felicitating streams
which the Gospel appoints.
This is the source and spirit of all Gospel benevolence. Says Paul,
"Every man according as he purposeth" (desireth or chooseth) "in his
heart, so let him give." There is to be no constraint. The working of
individual good-will is to be the measure of individual bounty; for
"God loveth a cheerful giver."*[This principle does not apply to the
support of a pastor. Paul does not put charity and the support of the
pastor on the same ground. Compare 2 Cor. Viii. and ix. With 1 Cor. ix.
Other elements come in, modifying the result in the latter case. 1. The
idea of