Laodicean Church
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his Lord just enough to sell Him to wicked men for a few pieces of
silver. As Judas brought up the poor as an excuse for his selfishness,
so professed Christians, whose hearts are covetous, will seek to hide
their selfishness under a put-on conscientiousness. Oh, they fear that
in adopting systematic benevolence we are becoming like the nominal
churches! “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.”
They seem to have a conscientious desire to follow exactly the Bible
as they understand it in this matter; but they entirely neglect the plain
admonition of Christ: “Sell that ye have, and give alms.”
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“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of
them.” Some think this text teaches that they must be secret in their
works of charity. And they do but very little, excusing themselves
because they do not know just how to give. But Jesus explained it to
His disciples as follows: “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do
not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto
you, they have their reward.” They gave to be regarded noble and
generous by men. They received praise of men, and Jesus taught His
disciples that this was all the reward they would have. With many, the
left hand does not know what the right hand does, for the right hand
does nothing worthy of the notice of the left hand. This lesson of Jesus
to His disciples was to rebuke those who wished to receive glory of
men. They performed their almsgiving at some very public gathering;
and before doing this, a public proclamation was made heralding their
generosity before the people; and many gave large sums merely to
have their name exalted by men. And the means given in this manner
was often extorted from others, by oppressing the hireling in his wages,
and grinding the face of the poor.
I was shown that this scripture does not apply to those who have
the cause of God at heart, and use their means humbly to advance
it. I was directed to these texts: “Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.” “By their fruits ye shall know them.” I was shown that
Scripture testimony will harmonize when it is rightly understood. The
good works of the children of God are the most effectual preaching
that the unbeliever has. He thinks that there must be strong motives
that actuate the Christian to deny self, and use his possessions in trying
to save his fellow men. It is unlike the spirit of the world. Such fruits