Self-sacrifice is the keynote of the teachings
of Christ. Often it is presented and enjoined in language that
seems authoritative, because God sees that there is no other
way to save man than to cut away from his life the selfishness
which, if retained, would degrade the whole being.
Christ became poor that we might be partakers
of the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
2 Corinthians 4:17. We are to practice the same self-sacrifice
that led Him to give Himself up to the death of the cross, to
make it possible for human beings to have eternal life. In all
our expenditure of means we are to strive to fulfill the purpose
of Him who is the alpha and omega of all Christian effort.
We are to place in the Lord's treasury
all the means that we can spare. For this means, needy, unworked
fields are calling. From many lands is sounding the cry, "Come
over, . . . and help us." Our church members should feel
a deep interest in home and foreign missions. Great blessings
will come to them as they make self-sacrificing efforts to plant
the standard of truth in new territory. The money invested in
this work will bring rich returns. New converts, rejoicing in
the light received from the word, will in their turn give of
their means to carry the light of truth to others.