We should not store God's gifts, but use them.
“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”
– Matthew 25.29
What to bestow for Christ
they will not, all misers
lose out of season;
after them others gather.
Living but little themselves,
they scarce venture to give to God;
to death they leave their all,
they keep nothing of themselves.
– Columbanus, “Poem on the World’s Impermanence,” Irish, 7th century[1]
Today we celebrate the Christian miser, that thrifty guy or gal who, endowed with gifts and opportunities for serving the Lord, wisely keeps that precious bounty on the shelf rather than risk it among the uncertainties of the unbelieving world. So many unforeseen things can happen when one ventures to love his neighbor, begin a conversation about the Gospel, take up some work of charity, give selflessly to others, or stand up for truth in some matter of social or cultural moment.
Best to leave one’s good intentions safe in the heart or mind, rather then risk losing or bruising them in some reckless act of service.
The Christian miser is excellent at counting his blessings. Day by day he offers up his thanks and praise to God for the many and abundant good gifts he has received. And, just to make sure he doesn’t lose any of those gifts, or foolishly squander them in some ill-conceived venture of service, he keeps them secure in a vault in his soul, where he may review and enjoy them at his leisure.
Of course, the Christian miser knows that a day is coming when the Giver of every good gift will require an accounting of what he has done with His largesse. But that is still many years off, he reckons, and even when it happens, is he not forgiven and safe in Jesus? Does not Jesus love him just as he is? Does he not understand and agree with his fears and concerns? And will he not therefore be received into Jesus’ heavenly mansion, where many more wonderful gifts await his thrift?
Well, let us ask Jesus Himself: “cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v. 30).
The “unprofitable servant” is the one who, greatly endowed for the purpose of glorifying God with his life, excuses himself from service and retains his gifts and blessings for his own enjoyment. He has good reasons for this, of course: no time for ministry, little confidence in his gifts, best left to someone else, too much trouble, and so forth.
And what shall become of him? His gifts will be redistributed, his hopes for a place in heaven will be dashed, and he will be consigned to bitter weeping forever.
If in any way we are Christian misers, dear friends, let us hasten to repent.
God gave us the supreme Gift of His only Son, so that we might be saved. Let us not fail to use the many endowments and opportunities provided us each day to thank, honor, and praise this very unmiserly God.
Psalm 32.8, 9 (Hendon: “Take My Life and Let It Be”)
Teach me, Lord how I should live; sound instruction ever give.
Let me never stubborn be; let Your eye watch over me.
Let Your eye watch over me.
Faith together with works, eagerness with steadfastness – let these, Lord, be the hallmarks of my service in Your name. Adapted from Colmán mac Beógnai, Aipgitir Chrábaid
We depend on the Lord for the needs of The Fellowship of Ailbe. This means we come to Him daily, asking for His help in giving us wisdom to know His will, strength and skill to do it, and the resources we require for each day. As for this last, we understand that God intends to support our ministry from within the ranks of those who are served by it (Ps. 20.1-3; Rom. 15.26, 27; Gal. 6.6).
If this ministry is important to you, we ask you please to prayerfully consider becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.
T. M. Moore, Principal
tmmoore@ailbe.org
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
