Article November 6, 1909 Issue

GIVING

NELLIE B. MACE.

CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS, when they awaken to the necessity of giving for the support of the Cause of which they are beneficiaries, find that the adoption of the early custom of tithing is a systematic way to begin. If, however, they are progressive, they do not rest here, but press forward toward that more bountiful giving which speaks of an increasing perception and realization of the true substance.

The first Scriptural record of tithing is when Abram rendered tithes to Melchizedek. He thus acknowledged that he was indebted to God for his victory and success, and took this way of expressing homage and gratitude. Next is found the vow of Jacob: "Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." Later, under the law, Moses ordained that "all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's; it is holy unto the Lord." That the paying of tithes was regarded as an honoring of God, with an accompanying blessing, is shown in Proverbs, where we are bidden: "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shalt thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine."

The last word that the Old Testament gives on this subject is given by the prophet Malachi: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." In the New Testament, in the rules for giving expounded by Jesus, particular stress is laid not upon the amount given, but upon the thought underlying the outward expression; that, according to the inward or secret purpose, so shall the reward be. If the secret purpose in giving is to be "seen of men," then the praise of men alone will be the reward. If, however, there is the inward recognition of God as the only substance, and of man as reflecting this substance, then there will be the open reward from the Father—a better understanding of God and a correspondingly better and higher reflection of substance.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

SELF-LOVE OVERTHROWN