PCEA

From The Presbyterian Banner: September, 1996.

Rev John Ramsay (1880-1933), one of three ministerial brothers - Herbert and Malcolm being the others - served Hamilton (1911-13) and then the Free Church of Scotland - Dalmally (1914-18) and Rothesay (1918-33). This message was given at Hamilton.

To the Christian is granted the privilege, and upon him is imposed, the duty of giving to the cause of God. Neither is it by any means to be shirked, but rather to, be carefully attended to. It is said to be a privilege, because for God to use us instrumentally to be co-workers with Him, to assist in propagating the truth, extending and consolidating the kingdom upon earth, is truly a privilege of the highest class. Too often, we fear, is the honour thus accorded us lost sight of, and instead of being readily and willingly undertaken, the work is looked upon as a thankless task, to be avoided if possible. This reveals the carnality of the mind. Giving is also a duty, for it is expressly commanded us by the Heavenly Father. Paul gave a commandment to the Corinthian Church (1 Cor. 16:1-2), as already he had to the Galatian Church, saying, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered Him," It is evident that none is excepted for "every one" is to do as commanded. There is no such distinction as is frequently drawn - that between rich and poor; and Christ's approval of the gift of the widow's mite, shows that He is pleased with even the least that men may be able to give, provided it is given in a right spirit. It is accepted "according to that a man hath," and the feeling which prompts the rich to give of his abundance may be exercised by the poorest when presenting his gift, however small it may be. As the text quoted shows, the contributions are to be laid by upon 'the first day of the week' - the Christian Sabbath. These clearly falling under the title of works of mercy, leave no room for hypersensitive folk to find fault.

Systematic giving is also encouraged by the command to "lay by in store." For when men week by week lay by them the amount devoted to the cause of God, naturally they strive to have the amount an increasing rather than a decreasing quantity. The system reacts favourably upon ordinary business also, for it helps greatly in keeping a man acquainted with the progress of his business; and if the principle embedded were acted upon - that a man's business should be always fully known in its income and output, many a failure would be averted, and many a danger avoided. No one could do as directed without realising how his temporal affairs stood, and if right-minded, would thank the Almighty that He has made His commandments beneficial for the "life that now is, as well as for that which is to come." Further, the Church is injured by haphazard giving. In hardly any such case does she receive what she would if this commandment were followed.

We are to give also "as the Lord hath prospered us." While there are noble exceptions, we think that very few give in this way. Business men may double their yearly returns, and the cause of God be no richer; farmers may have magnificent crops, and give not a farthing more than when the crops were poor. There is thus no comparison between the prosperity enjoyed and the offering presented. The Jew gave much more than one-tenth of his income to God, for the tithe was but one call of many upon his resources, some stating that altogether he gave about one-fifth. Be this as it may, we will surely not compare ourselves to the Jew who enjoyed not the favours that are ours. We have infinitely greater privileges and blessings than he had, and correspondingly should show our esteem and appreciation of them. What better way could we do this, than by giving as liberally as we can?

Ready giving is also to be favoured. The task of extracting money from some who have promised a certain amount to the cause of the Lord, is occasionally a most disagreeable one. Very often it is seen that the command to lay in store is violated, because the money is not ready. And sometimes men appear to forget that "the Lord loveth a cheerful giver," by giving grudgingly and grumblingly.

What we wish particularly to point out, though, is the necessity of Church people providing for the Church's future needs. It is almost inconceivable that professing Christian folk, who have supported the Church for many years, should be so unconcerned for its future welfare, as many have proved to be. But frequently has this matter been spoken of to me, by those who truly desire to see our Zion prosper. It has been deplored that many a one, with no near relation to leave property and money, or with those dependent upon him well provided for, has completely ignored the Church's claim upon the riches vouchsafed to him, by the Church's Head. This is far from being a satisfactory state of affairs. Every right-minded Christian is concerned for the well-being of those who come after him; and what more practical way of showing it than by leaving a share of his wealth that the gospel might be preached to them. This was the opinion of many good men who have gone, but the number so minded seems lamentably small to-day. At the root of failure here there appears to be either carelessness or selfishness. Carelessness if the matter is overlooked; selfishness if it is practically said, "I will support the Church while I live, but no longer; my people shall have all I possess, and God nothing." There is failure to recognise that a man is responsible for the right use of money, as of talents and time; and this is especially noticeable in same who are the first to cry out at the idea of a minister turning his hand to secular work, perhaps to supplement a sufficient stipend. We wish to have this altered if possible, and so would press upon every one the duty of seeing what amount can be left to the cause of Christ.

We institute no inquisitorial proceedings, we do not say how much any one should leave, but we do say that very much more should be left than is now the case. Let us ask how many bequests have been left us of late? Personally, I can recall none, great or small. "These things ought not to be." True it is we have friends who are generous to us during their lifetime; should they be less generous at death? More, it is a fact which does not redound to the credit of many in our midst, that some of our most generous supporters scarcely ever have the opportunity of attending services of our Church. If they give freely without any advantage what should be the duty of those who possess all the Church can give? We need scarcely say that if all our people gave a tenth of their incomes, we would be freed from much care and perplexity; and giving is worship - rendering to God what is His - and if those who could would leave us bequests of say 5 or 10 pounds and upwards, how much more could we do in propagating the gospel and consolidating Christ's kingdom? When we hear of our departing friends leaving behind them thousands of pounds, we ask, has not God and his Church some claim upon those thousands? We earnestly ask our friends to ponder these things, and see if they cannot provide something for the cause of God to be used after their decease.

There is no question as to the Church's needs. There are the daily recurring expenses to be met, funds needed for the training of students, and establishment of the Church services in poor and sparsely populated districts, etc., as well as foreign mission work to be looked to. The times are dark; the defenders of the truth few; those attached to the pure gospel becoming less; the world at large 'lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God', - Romanism on the one hand, Rationalism on the other, to be combated; and the standard of the truth, and especially that for which we contend - Christ's Headship over the Church and nations to be kept flying, and how much better shall we do our work if our friends grant us generous supply! And yet, the warfare is not ours; it is God's. In God's Name, then, we call upon our people to wipe away the reproach which lies upon them as a body. Let not giving be circumscribed by congregational needs, but let the "larger vision" be the rule, that, after home needs are supplied, the Church in its entirety may benefit, and the cause of the Lord be helped. The Scriptures warn us against niggardliness, saying, "There is that withholdeth more than is meet, yet it tendeth to poverty." They show the most intimate connection between liberality and blessing. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." We ask our people, then, to secure the promised blessing by giving liberally, systematically, cheerfully and readily while here; and by means of legacies and bequests, provide for the "people that shall be," that the cause may flourish, be a blessing on the earth, and a praise to God.

P.S. - We invite consideration of this subject of the expenditure per annum by Church people, upon amusement and religion respectively, as calculated to strengthen our contention and claim. Is the gratification of our carnal desires more to us than the promotion of God's glory?