In commissioning His disciples to go "into
all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,"
Christ assigned to men the work of extending the knowledge of
His grace. But while some go forth to preach, He calls upon others
to answer His claims upon them for offerings with which to support
His cause in the earth. He has placed means in the hands of men,
that His divine gifts may flow through human channels in doing
the work appointed us in saving our fellow men. This is one of
God's ways of exalting man. It is just the work that man needs,
for it will stir the deepest sympathies of his heart and call
into exercise the highest capabilities of the mind.
Every good thing of earth was placed here
by the bountiful hand of God as an expression of His love to
man. The poor are His, and the cause of religion is His. The
gold and the silver are the Lord's, and He could rain them from
heaven if He chose. But instead of this He has made man His steward,
entrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used
in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which
to distribute His blessings on earth. God planned the system
of beneficence in order that man might become like his Creator,
benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker
with Christ of the eternal, glorious reward.