1 Chronicles 26:27

"Handfuls of Purpose,"

For All Gleaners

"Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord." 1 Chronicles 26:27 .

Property may be consecrated to higher uses than those which it was originally intended to promote. Even the gold of the heathen may enrich the coffers of the Son of God. What is true of mere property that can be arithmetically estimated is true of institutions, energies, methods, and policies, which can be baptised and sanctified for Christ's use. We should study the ways of successful enemies, and turn those ways to Christian uses. Never be afraid to learn even from the enemy; his shrewdness may suggest new methods to us; we should ask why he is successful, on what basis he has proceeded, by what consideration he has been influenced, and taking out of all his policy everything that is narrow and selfish we should use the framework for higher purposes. When Saul of Tarsus is converted his energy will be dedicated to the house of the Lord; when the eloquent disbeliever is brought to pray he will not leave his eloquence behind him; when the man gifted with song turns his heart to the Christ of God, he will not become silent, but he will bring his music with him, changing only the words, the sentiment, and the purpose, his voice being as eloquent and as fascinating as ever, yea more so, being inspired by a godly enthusiasm. When the author is converted who has never written concerning God he will bring his inkhorn with him and begin to expatiate on higher themes. What we have learned from Cicero we may consecrate to Christ. What we have been taught in battle we may dedicate to the interests of peace. What we have heard in the counsels of friendship we may employ in the propagation of the kingdom of Christ. Blessed be God, within the boundaries of that kingdom there is room for every talent, and there is scope for every way of doing things. The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Let us learn all we can from them, and grow in wisdom and in ability to fulfil our destiny.