“Not for ourselves, but others is the grand law of nature, inscribed by the hand of God on every part of creation. Not for itself, but others, does the sun dispense its beams; not for themselves, but others, do the clouds distil their showers; not for herself, but others, does the earth unlock her treasures; not for themselves, but others, do the trees produce their fruits, or the flowers diffuse their fragrance and display their various hues. So, not for himself, but others, are the blessings of Heaven bestowed on man.
And whenever, instead of diffusing them around, he devotes them exclusively to his own gratification, and shuts himself up in the dark and flinty caverns of selfishness, he transgresses the great law of creation. He cuts himself off from the created universe, and its Author. He sacrilegiously converts to his own use the favors which were given him for the relief of others, and must be considered, not only as an unprofitable, but as a fraudulent servant, who has worse than wasted his Lord’s money. He, who thus lives only to himself, and consumes the bounty of Heaven upon his lusts, or consecrates it to the demon of avarice, is a barren rock in a fertile plain; he is a thorny bramble in a fruitful vineyard; he is the grave of God’s blessings.”
Edward Payson (1783-1827) American Congregationalist preacher in Selections from the Conversations and Unpublished Writings of Rev. Edward Payson, excerpt from “Universal Law of Benevolence” (Boston: Crocker & Brewster, 1836) 171.
So what is the “universal law of benevolence” for Payson (and us)? Not for ourselves but others. We are blessed to be a blessing! Don’t let God’s generosity toward you, stop with you. Scripture commands that those with more than enough must enjoy and share God’s blessings (cf. 1 Timothy 6:17-19). Let us resolve together not to be fraudulent servants but faithful stewards!