Four Letters to a Leading Missionary Worker in Africa
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would not be a dearth of means in the treasury, but an ample supply to
meet the demands for this time, to plant the banner of truth in many
dark places of the earth. But the blessing which the Lord has bestowed
upon His stewards, with few exceptions, is misappropriated, bound
up in selfish enterprises where God does not direct. Carefully should
every dollar be considered, that it shall not be expended to please
fancy, to administer to pride in expensive buildings, but to administer
where there is a necessity, working in lines where God is working to
establish His kingdom in the earth, in harmony with the prayer given
by Christ, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in
heaven.” Let the works harmonize with the prayer, for men are the
human agents through whom the divine agents are working. “We are
labourers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s
building.” The Lord’s work calls for labourers everywhere. As God
bountifully gives, we should deliberately, prayerfully resolve that we
will honour God with our substance, and with the first-fruits of our
increase.
All things belong to God, and all the good which man enjoys is the
result of divine beneficence. He is the great and bountiful Giver. God
lays His hand upon all possessions and says, “I am the rightful owner
of all these goods.” Oh that the hearts of the people of God would
be moved! To every man to whom the Lord has entrusted goods,
will come the temptation of the enemy to withhold it from its rightful
channel. Satan will seek to divert the means so that it shall not serve
the cause of God....
Souls are perishing for the bread of life, for the waters of salvation.
There is no time now for the building of grand edifices. Let everything
be done with an eye single to the glory of God. We are to lift up the
cross of Calvary before all nations, tongues and people; but instead of
doing this, many are hiding their talents of ability under a bushel, and
the means which should carry forward the work is buried in the world.
Lift the cross higher, that many may behold, and look and live.
Christ died for the world, and His command is, “Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The lord would give
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us no such commission without placing resources at our command
sufficient for the work. Will men act the part of faithful stewards,
appropriating God’s means where He designed it should be used?
Shall souls famishing for the bread of life be denied the heavenly