CONSECRATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS.
BY REV. JAMES POWELL.
Not long since, I spent a Sabbath in a well-known Ohio town, where are two of the largest Congregational Churches in the State. In one, the annual offering to the work of the American Missionary Association was made that day. But, before the contribution was taken, the pastor offered a prayer that both impressed and instructed me. It was a prayer of special consecration of the offerings that were about to be made. He prayed that the people might give thoughtfully and intelligently; that God’s blessing might rest upon the gifts, accompany them to the treasury, and out upon the mission field of the society. No mere formality was this petition, but a glowing, heartfelt prayer for the object in view. I am quite prepared to hear that many other pastors are equally thoughtful to publicly consecrate the benevolent contributions of their congregations, although my observation leads me to believe that such fidelity is exceptional. But why should it not be the rule? Indeed, when one comes to think of it, the wonder is that it is not. So large and important are the interests involved—interests connected with the extension of Christ’s kingdom; so sacred are many of the gifts—the devising of generous hearts and the fruits of self-denial—surely very tender should be the spirit of the occasion when the offering is made.
Yet not only on account of this should consecrating prayer be offered when church contributions are taken, but also on account of the money that is thoughtlessly, and often unwillingly, thrown into the contribution box. It would be an interesting revelation to have placed before us just what proportion of the so-called benevolent contributions is consciously given as an offering to the Lord. I fear it would be startlingly small. Now, all this money that is thrown into the Lord’s treasury, by givers who have no higher prompting than that which governs them when they toss a nickel to an organ-grinder on the street, needs to be consecrated. It is rather sarcastic to couple the word “benevolent” with such contributions; they sadly need prayer before they go out on their mission of benevolence.
Consecrating prayer would tend to correct this great evil by inspiring thoughtfulness. “How much owest thou thy Lord?” would have a recognized place in deciding the amount to be given. The Lord is a party in the transaction. In the persons of the poor and the perishing, He stands over against the treasury, and rightfully asks for evidence of loyalty to His cause. Are crumbs that fall from an over-supplied table, are drops that trickle from an overflowing cup, a sufficient evidence? Christ knows the heart. Think of what it is to bring to Him the mere waste of our plenty, and call that charity. There is a possibility of actual sin here, whose guilt is but increased by explanation. It was given thoughtlessly—no reference to the debt owed, no reference given to the needs of the cause to be aided—thoughtlessly! That is precisely where the Christian conscience should sting most keenly. For thoughtlessness in what is paid to Christ, is a most aggravated form of sin. Grocery bills, clothing bills, rent and taxes shall be paid with thoughtful reference to what is justly due, and the world shall label him dishonest who tries even to quibble about the point; but upon this transcendently higher plane of obligation, involving the question of what the soul owes its God and Saviour, many Christian men will do what, on the lower plane, they would scorn as highly dishonorable. Prayerful thoughtfulness will work reform in this respect, and develop a more genuinely benevolent Christian character.
The money, too, that comes from unwilling hands needs consecration. Many of the dimes and quarters that keep the deacons so long after the service laboriously counting, had they voices and permission to speak, would tell a story complimentary neither to the generosity nor benevolence of their donors. They would say: “We are here chiefly because the contribution box was passed, and our donors did not like to appear niggardly. The hand that dropped us was so held that the man passing the box could not see us had he wished to, but we made quite a noise as we clinked down into our places, and by our clatter produced an impression that there was a good deal more to us than there is.” The hypocrisy entering into this portion of the contribution needs casting out by prayer.
Another good would be secured by the offering of a consecrating prayer when benevolent offerings are made in the churches. The contribution box would be held in worthy esteem as a genuine means of grace. By many it is so held; it should be by all. It is no intruder in the sanctuary; it has the sanction of Divine appointment, and is the necessary outgrowth of “pure religion and undefiled” in the heart. Its visits to the pews should be hailed with delight, for it brings even a greater blessing to the giver than it carries away to the receiver. Still, it is not thus welcomed by every one. Indeed, such an aversion have some people to it that an announcement a week beforehand that it is to be used, is to make certain that Sunday will find them sick. The nature of the contribution-box sickness need not be particularly inquired into, but “indisposition” is a good-sounding word with which to designate it, and it is so elastic in meaning withal, that it can be made to stretch over into the domain of conscience. Yet a very serious sickness it is, and should be so regarded. Next to willingness and ability, is opportunity to do good. To turn away from the opportunity is to confess unwillingness; and such confession, the Apostle James unqualifiedly affirms, is denial of having love to God. Indisposition, therefore, means, on apostolic authority, that the love of God dwells not in the heart.
I desire to commend the example of the Ohio pastor to all pastors who desire to increase the benevolent contributions of their churches. Let the contributions be consecrated by special prayer. It interferes with no method that may be in use to take contributions. It will impart new power to all.—Advance.