[Songs in the Night - October 19]
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:24, 25
THE evident lesson here is that the Lord is pleased
to see his people cultivate breadth of heart as well as
of mind—generosity in proportion to their knowledge
of him and of his generosity.
The Scriptures nowhere
declare that cases of absolute privation among the
Lord's people are proofs that at some time in their
past life when possessed of means, they failed to use
a portion of it in charity, in the Lord's service.
But
the inspired words above quoted come very close to
giving this lesson.
At all events it is profitable that we
lay this testimony to heart and that every child of God
henceforth shall be earnestly careful that out of the
blessings of the Lord coming to us day by day some
measure be carefully, prayerfully, lovingly laid aside
as seed to be sown in the Lord's service according to
the best wisdom and judgment which he will give us. Z'16-219 R5927:2 (Hymn 226)