October 27

Increase through giving

“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” (Prov. 11:24).
“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor. 10:24).
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil. 2:4).

Wisely and mercifully are we commanded to care for the things of others. It is the surest way to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ; for it nurtures charity, the best of all graces, and likens us to Christ in the largeness of His views and the opulence of His sympathy. Such Christians are never cold, and they never backslide. They are identified with the Savior in all His plans. They exult in His triumphs and rejoice in His joys. Their vision and their prayers embrace the whole earth, and they become familiar with the largest plans and the most stirring enterprises.


In the midst of such interests and employments there is little room for sloth or stagnation. Christians of this stamp outstrip all others in the race. They speedily attain the highest moral efficiency and the clearest spiritual perceptions, unusual vigor, and steadiness of faith and power in prayer. I think it may be announced as a maxim in religion, that they who devote themselves most eagerly to the salvation of others are ever in the most favorable position for working out their own salvation.
—Stephen Olin.

While you are thus feeding God’s lambs, He will lead you into rich pastures.
—John Wesley.

God’s love hath to us wealth upheaped;
Only by giving it is reaped.
The body withers, and the soul,
If love of self is all the goal;
Then give your strength, your thought, your deeds,
Give love, give tears, give till you bleed;
Who gives not, shrivels up and dies;
Who gives not, misses Heaven’s prize.
The more we give,
The more we live.
—Adapted.

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