“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-10 NKJV
It’s been my privilege to teach thousands of teenagers and several adults the principle: “God holds you responsible for what you do with what you have; not just for what you do or do not do, but for what you could do if you would do what you should do.”
Jesus said: ” ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?” So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ ” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ ” Luke 12:15-21 NKJV
In his introduction to “The Treasure Principle,” Randy Alcorn said: “All your life, you’ve been on a treasure hunt. You’ve been searching for a perfect person and a perfect place. Jesus is that person; heaven is that place. So if you’re a Christian, you’ve already met the Person, and you’re already headed to the place. But there’s a problem. You’re not yet living with that Person, and you’re not yet living in that place! The Treasure Principle has long been buried. It’s time to unearth it. It’s a simple yet profound idea – with radical implications.”
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 NKJV
C.T. Studd was born in England in 1860. As a teenager, he was born again, becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. He followed his calling in evangelism, serving in China, India, and the African Congo.
When his father passed away, C.T. learned that he would receive a substantial inheritance, and he wanted to donate the funds to Christian ministries.
Meanwhile in America, Emma Dryer was praying for God to lead D.L. Moody to start a Bible school to train home and foreign missionaries in Chicago. She had met the Moody’s in 1870. As a university teacher, she began praying earnestly for a Bible school to start in Chicago.
Beginning in 1883, Emma faithfully prayed with a group of ladies every Saturday that the Bible school would become a reality.
January 1887, C.T. Studd invested all of his inheritance in the “Bank of Heaven,” and sent 25% to D.L. Moody in the United States.
Though C.T. Studd’s ministry was blessed by God and reached thousands with the Gospel, his greatest impact was the legacy he received and his donations, especially the founding of Moody Bible Institute. A building on the Chicago campus is named after Emma Dryer.
Leroy “Preach” and his wife Audry Blackburn were a part of my life until God called Preach to heaven, and later, Audry. Referencing Psalm 50:10, she said, “God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns the hills. And He owns the taters in the hills.” The Blackburns taught my Dad, who in turn taught me, “You can never out-give God.”
The Blackburns, and all the pastors of my home church through my senior year in high school, were trained at Moody.
Many facets of the ministries of Moody Bible Institute continue to span the globe, and God’s blessings continue day by day.
July 1931, at age 70, C.T. Studd’s life on earth ended. He left behind a poem that has influenced millions, including us today:
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Have you made the personal decision to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?” What are you doing with your time, talents, and treasure God has entrusted to you today?