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Sweetness of Self-Denial, July 12
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all
thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy
presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9, 10
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God’s claims underlie all other claims. He lays His hand upon all that
He, from His fullness and beneficence, has entrusted to man, and says:
“I am the rightful owner of the universe, and these goods are Mine. Use
them to advance My cause, to build up My kingdom, and My blessing
shall rest upon you.”
Some give of their abundance, yet feel no lack. They do not practice
self-denial for the cause of Christ. They give liberally and heartily, but
they still have all that heart can wish. God regards it. The action and
motive are strictly marked by Him, and they will not lose their reward.
But those who have less means must not excuse themselves because they
cannot do as much as some others. Do what you can. Deny yourself of
some article you can do without, and sacrifice for the cause of God. Like
the poor widow, cast in your two mites. You will actually give more than
all those who give of their abundance; and you will know how sweet it is
to deny self, to give to the needy, to sacrifice for the truth, and to lay up
treasure in heaven.
The young ... who profess the truth, have yet a lesson of self-denial
to learn. If these made more sacrifice for the truth, they would esteem
it more highly. It would affect their hearts, and purify their lives. Too
often the young do not take the burden of the cause of God, or feel any
responsibility in regard to it. Is it because God has excused them? Oh,
no; they excuse themselves. They do not realize that they are not their
own. Their strength, their time, is not their own. They are bought with a
price; and unless they possess the spirit of self-denial and sacrifice, they
can never gain the immortal inheritance.
Give what you can now, and as you cooperate with Christ, your hand
will open to impart still more. And God will refill your hand, that the
treasure of truth may be taken to many souls. He will give to you that you
may give to others.
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