May 23

The glory of sacrifice

“They offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice . . . that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off” (Neh. 12:43).
“We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience” (Rom. 5:3).

I utterly deny that, taken in the broadest and justest sense, Christianity demands any sacrifices. She pays all expenses, and leaves a large margin of profit. We may count them sacrifices in our shortsightedness, but whatever God commands you and me to do, it is to our interest to do it. We shall not be the losers in the long run. The books that are kept up there will strike the balance on the right side of the ledger; and when the books are opened, and you and I stand before our God to render an account of our stewardship here on earth, that which we counted a sacrifice will be found then to have been a most profitable investment. That little portion of our worldly wealth which we say we gave away for the cause of God and humanity, will then be found the only portion that we took with us.

If an old heathen could say on his deathbed that he had lost everything he had except what he had given away, how much more truly can an enlightened Christian feel that all his wise investments made to promote the cause of God and humanity is only so much placed at interest in time, the advantage of which will be reaped in eternity.
—Edward R. Ames.

Gladness be with thee, Helper of the world!
I think this is the authentic sign and seal
Of God-ship, that ever waxes glad,
And more glad, until gladness blossoms, bursts
Into a rage to suffer for mankind
And recommence at sorrow.

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