DUTY AND PRIVILEGE

L. T. NICOLA

[FIRST READING FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26.]

WHEN demands are made for means to support the work of the Lord, we often shrink, and question whether it is our duty to give. We, by our vote, place men in responsible places, who, to fulfill the obligations put upon them, ask us to make offerings to forward the plans we ask them to carry out. If these demands come more frequently than we expect, we are apt to excuse ourselves, by deciding that it is not our duty to give so much.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.1

Duty is “the course of conduct, whether active or passive, that one is morally bound to follow; what one ought to do; that which is right; as, it is one’s duty to tell the truth, to love God, etc.” This definition is very flexible to a selfish mind. We may admit that it is our duty to tell the truth, and yet prevaricate when the occasion may seem to demand it. We know that we ought to “love God with all our hearts,” yet we acknowledge that we do not. We contend that it is right to do these things, but we confess we have not done right. We promise ourselves over and over again that we will do better, but how soon we find that we fail.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.2

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” In these words the Lord has set before us our duty. But as long as we look at it as a mere matter of obligation on our part, we will never perform what the Lord requires of us. Our performance of his requirements will lead us to realize the truthfulness of the Saviour’s words, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Until we can come to the place that we choose to do what God says it is our duty to do, we will never succeed in meeting the requirements of the Lord. An unconverted man or a backslider realizes that it is his duty to live a Christian; but as he sees nothing in it but duty, other contrary things stand in his way that hinder him from obeying.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.3

It is one thing to go to duty and perform it perfunctorily, and another thing to enter into it with all the heart. The one is mere form, or ceremony, while the other is real service, done from deeply rooted principle and high sense of obligation. To attend to duty in the routine only, is neither acceptable to God nor profitable to ourselves. It is a task without pleasure, a work without wages. Were our duties the impositions of an arbitrary master, toward whom we felt neither respect nor love, we might go to them with reluctance, and perform them with coldness. but as the injunctions of a loving Father, supreme in goodness and wisdom, toward whom we profess to have pure affection and profound esteem, we ought to go toward them with willing feet, and enter them with all our hearts.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.4

But when the whole heart is thrown into performing a duty, it no longer remains a duty, but becomes a privilege. It may be a tiresome duty for a nurse to sit up with a sick child during the entire night; but if it is her own child that is sick, she thinks no longer of the duty, although it may be just as taxing work as before. Her personal interest makes the duty a privilege.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.5

It is said of Mr. Bradford, the martyr, that he would not leave a duty until his soul was brought into living sympathy with it, and found communion with Christ in it. In confessing sin unto God, he would not cease until his heart was touched and broken with a sense of it. In offering supplication for blessings, he would not give up until he apprehended the true nature of the things desired, and was carried out on the wings of faith to receive them. In offering thanksgiving, he would not refrain before his spirit was lifted up in holy praises for all divine mercies. It is also said of Bernard, that such was the entrance of his soul into duty, that he found God in every one, and held communion with him.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.6

PRIVILEGES

LTNe

“But as many as received him, to them gave he the privilege to become the sons of God; even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12. Marginal Reading.GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.7

The spiritual life is the highest that a human soul can attain in its probationary state. Its origin, relations, associations, enjoyments, and prospects are all of the most exalted kind, — exquisitely pure, beautiful, sublime, and glorious. The power to become the sons of God is a wonderful privilege. Who would not choose to give all he possesses for that privilege? When Jesus comes to gather his sons to himself, there will not be a human being who will not esteem it a privilege to part with everything he possesses if he could only hear the words, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”GCB October 1, 1896, page 752.8

The privileges of the spiritual life are of a corresponding character with its enjoyments and prospects. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:3, 4. This is a wonderful privilege, and if fully understood, will eclipse many duties. Then it is our blessed privilege to abide in Christ (John 15:4, 5), be members of the household of faith (Ephesians 2:19), have access to God through Jesus, in prayer and fellowship (Ephesians 3:12), and to have God for a Father, a King, a Benefactor, a Helper, a Deliverer, a Guide, a Light, a Tower, a Shield. We can have Christ for a Friend, a Shepherd, a Teacher, a Mediator, a Saviour. He has promised to be unto us, “wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.” We are promised the Holy Spirit for a Comforter, a Witness, a Helper, in duties and conflicts, and a Revealer of the deep things of God.GCB October 1, 1896, page 753.1

Such are some of the privileges associated with the spiritual life. Are they not sufficient to call out from us words and acts of thanksgiving and praise? Can any other life except the heavenly, present an equal? Can there be any requirement from Him who gives us all these privileges, that would seem irksome if we appreciated all that the Lord has given us? Will it not be that everything which the Lord requires us to do, will be as much a privilege as to receive what he gives?GCB October 1, 1896, page 753.2

PRIVILEGE OF GIVING

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“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Were you free to receive pardon and peace? Then be just as free to give whatever you possess, that others may receive what you prize so highly. “Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord.” Exodus 35:5. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7. No one can be a cheerful giver unless he is full of cheer while giving it. There must be a feeling in his heart that causes him delight when he can have an opportunity to give. He is not to give “of necessity,” as though some terrible judgment was hanging over his head if he did not give, but must make his offerings with a willing mind and a cheerful heart.GCB October 1, 1896, page 753.3

“If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Corinthians 8:12. To-day, as well as in the past, many poor widows who have given a few pennies, have received more blessings in giving, than many who have given of their thousands. The widow whom the Saviour commended had felt in her heart that she had received so much from the Lord, that she esteemed it a privilege to give all she had, even her living. Many men of wealth walked up to the same place and gave larger sums of money, yet she gave more than they all. They estimated God’s blessings to them of no greater value than a small part of their income, while she thought them of greater worth than all she possessed. Had her income been one hundred times greater, the same spirit would have caused her to consider it a privilege to give it all.GCB October 1, 1896, page 753.4

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” There is no risk to run in giving to the Lord. His promises are adequate to meet all our wants. He is not dependent upon us for means to carry forward his work, for he has declared, “the gold and silver are mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” We are not doing him such a great favor in giving him a few thousand dollars, as we are doing ourselves. If we give, he has promised to give it back in double measure, therefore we are strengthening our own faith by giving him our money, and trusting his words for our future needs.GCB October 1, 1896, page 753.5

We may be in danger of saying too much about men’s duty in giving to sustain the Lord’s work. Give every man an opportunity of giving for his own sake, but not as if either God or the gospel were in anywise his debtor. Make it a privilege to give; and if it is other than that, be assured that God would not accept it, and the cause would be better off without it.GCB October 1, 1896, page 754.1

THANKSGIVING

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The people of our nation, irrespective of religious belief, think it fit to have a day appointed each year to be observed as a day of thanksgiving to God for the bountiful harvest he has sent during the year. Other nations have similar days, as harvest festivals, etc. The original idea of such seasons was far different than it is at present. Time, with the changes wrought by a spirit of selfishness, has changed Thanksgiving day into a day of feasting and extravagance.GCB October 1, 1896, page 754.2

Instead of looking up the poor, and supplying their actual needs, men and women make large dinners at extravagant expenditures, to satisfy a perverted appetite. If there is any thankfulness expressed, it is for the privilege of gormandizing and indulging in intemperance to the heart’s content.GCB October 1, 1896, page 754.3

Such scenes must be very grievous to Him who sends all these bounties for man’s good. How must the angels look upon the scenes above mentioned, when, within less than ten blocks are the hungry, the naked shivering with cold, because they have not the wherewith to supply these necessities? Let us look at these things, and celebrate this day in a way that some one will have reason to thank God for the blessings he has sent to them through our humble hospitality.GCB October 1, 1896, page 754.4

Let us deny self, and give of our means to help the poor, and send the gospel to those in darkness. As we enter these special days of seeking God, let us go to him in secret, and ask him to show us how much we have received for which we should be thankful. If we do this, the day will indeed be a thanksgiving day.GCB October 1, 1896, page 754.5

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s who shall give you that which is your own?” “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”GCB October 1, 1896, page 754.6

J. H. DURLAND.