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| Rich in Good Works | |||||||
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The following is a sample taken from the One Great Hour of Sharing leader's guide. It was written by Frank Ramirez, pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren. It was the middle of the Civil War, January 1, 1863. The place was the meetinghouse of the German Baptist Brethren in Linville Creek, Va. The Elder John Kline (who would be murdered a year and a half later because of his adamant stand against slavery) preached to his congregation about the importance of giving for the relief of those who considered the Brethren their enemies because they refused to fight for the so-called "great cause." Kline called his people to become cheerful givers with words that should speak to us now: Let our offerings this day be from the heart; and probably the best proof we can have that they come from the heart is a willingness and cheerful readiness to give of our substance to the needy poor. We must divide out, Brethren, to those who have, on account of the war pressure, been unable to provide for themselves. Think of the barefooted, half-clad and half-fed children in our land! I do not undervalue what you have already done. I know you have done much; but we should not feel that the burden of duty has all rolled from our shoulders as long as there is one needy brother or sister or child in our land. Brethren, I speak from the heart when I say that the church has never before enjoyed such an opportunity to grow rich, as the present offers. I mean rich in good works; rich in treasures laid up in heaven; rich in her title to an eternal inheritance in heaven, which our Lord calls "the true riches." (The Diary of John Kline, p 460, public domain.) Supply seed to the sower and bread for food. Multiply the seed of the world for sowing and increase the harvest of God's righteousness. Let the mirth of God's laughter renew your Spirits. Go forward as a giver and receiver of joy! To read more materials from the One Great Hour of Sharing leader's guide, visit http://www.brethren.org/oghs. |
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