[Songs in the Night - April 3]
The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22
WHEN we see a noble example like that of our
Lord, who was rich in everything, and who gave all,
we rejoice in it, and realize that as his sacrifice was
so great his reward also is proportionately great.
When
we see the noble example of the Apostle Paul, who
possessing some considerable wealth of ability, talent,
and influence, and possibly of financial means also, laid
these all, a willing, a glad sacrifice, at the feet of the
Lord, laying them all down with joy in God's service,
in the service of the truth, in the service of the brethren,
it causes our hearts to rejoice, and we feel sure
that one so rich, and who spent his riches so faithfully,
will be one to shine very brightly in the kingdom when
it is set up and manifested.
And so, undoubtedly, it
will be with all the royal priesthood—in proportion
as they have sacrificed their possessions.
Those who
joyfully endure for the Lord's sake, the truth's sake,
the greatest shame, the greatest ignominy, the greatest
trials, the greatest persecutions in this present life, and
thus have experiences most like those of the Master
and Pattern, we may be sure will in proportion to their
faithfulness manifested in such sacrifices, have a future
great reward—as the apostle has declared, "Star
differeth from star in glory." Z'01-55 R2762:3 (Hymn 277)