A
prominent Christian writer and philosopher once advised to not be too
concerned with having a place to preach, but instead to be concerned
with having something to say. I mention that because I'm not sure how
much I have to say right now and am hesitant to add my words to the
many that already flood the Internet. I would, however, like to share
with you some old words - words from a sermon that has had an impact
on me. This excerpt comes from Robert Murray M'Cheyne, a Scottish
Presbyterian minister and missionary who lived from 1813 to 1843. The
sermon was titled "More Blessed To Give Than To Receive",
and I certainly could not put it better or more boldly than Mr.
M'Cheyne does here:
"Now,
dear Christians, some of you pray night and day to be branches of the
true Vine; you pray to be made all over in the image of Christ. If
so, you must be like him in giving. A branch bears the same kind of
fruit as the tree. If you be branches at all, you must bear the same
fruit. An old divine says well: "What would have become of us if
Christ had been as saving of his blood as some men are of their
money?"
Objection
1. My money is my own.
Answer. Christ might
have said, My blood is my own—my life is
my own; no man forceth it from me: then where should we have been?
Objection
2. The poor are undeserving.
Answer.
Christ might have said the same thing. They are wicked rebels against
my Father's law: shall I lay down my life for these? I will give to
the good angels. But no, he left the ninety-nine, and came after the
lost. He gave his blood for the undeserving.
Objection
3. The poor may abuse it.
Answer.
Christ might have said the same; yea, with far greater truth. Christ
knew that thousands would trample his blood under their feet—that
most would despise it—that many would
make it an excuse for sinning more; yet he gave his own blood.
Oh,
my dear Christians! if you would be like Christ, give much—give
often—give freely, to the vile and the
poor—the thankless and the undeserving.
Christ is glorious and happy, and so will
you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember his
own word: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
I
thank God that there are some among you to whom Christ will say:
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world." Go on, dear Christians,
live still for Christ Never forget, day nor night, that you are
yourselves bought with a price. Lay yourselves and your property all
in his hand, and say: "What wilt thou have me to do? Here am I,
send me;" and then I know you will feel, now and in eternity, "
It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Ah,
my dear friends! I am concerned for the poor; but more for you. I
know not what Christ will say to you in the great day. You seem to be
Christians, and yet you care not for his poor. Oh, what a change will
pass upon you as you enter the gates of heaven! You will be saved,
but that will be all. There will be no abundant entrance for you: "He
that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly."
I
fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not
Christians, because they do not love to give. To give largely and
liberally—not grudging at all—
requires a new heart; an old heart would rather
part with its life-blood than its money. Oh, my friends! enjoy your
money—make the most of it—give
none away—enjoy it quickly; for I can
tell you you will be beggars throughout eternity."
Phil
Phil
