VICTORY OVER LOSSES

Loss of Our Hard-earned Saving -- How God Got Glory Out of It

I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Phil. 3:5.

     Paul wrote to the Hebrews saying that they took "JOYFULLY the spoiling of their goods." To do this has been a hard lesson for me to learn. Thank God I was born poor, for had I had plenty of money I no doubt would have been ruined. For about thirty years it was all I could do to meet actual expenses. Then God was pleased to bless our publishing interests so that we commenced to get ahead a little. My economical training led me to continue economizing, and it was not long until we had saved several thousand dollars. My motive was pure in thinking that it would be nice to leave this sum to wife and children in case I passed out; or, should I live, to have this to fall back upon in my declining days, in publishing more books. We tried to be conscientious in our investments, refusing to take stock in any questionable, Sabbath-breaking concern

     But at the close of the great war, when the financial crash came, we, with multitudes, lost our hard-earned savings. It was like a thunderclap out of a clear sky. One great corporation of over 43,000 stockholders went to the wall. This strong investment company boasted that they had gone through many panics and never failed to declare a seven per cent dividend. But when they broke, bankers and other large investors went crazy and committed suicide. When I received the news I was struck dumb and went into my study where I fell upon my face in silence. Shortly, my companion came and stood in the door. As I raised up and looked at her, instead of blaming me for the foolish investment, she, like a true helpmeet, said, "Deane, the Lord spoke to me just now in the kitchen and said that in the end He would get more glory out of our losses than had they not come."

     Like a drowning man clutching at every straw, I asked, "How could it be?" She replied: "We are loath to see you pull yourself from home and be gone, sometimes six months at a time, thousands of miles away, for we get very lonesome. But, rather than settle down in this beautiful California climate and do like many other preachers, invest in real estate and preach just enough to ease your conscience, now it seems that, in order to educate the children, you must gird on new strength, first, to win souls, and secondly, to support the family."

     This was a new interpretation, and accordingly I did as this noble little woman advised under God. Many times since then, when in a great revival or camp meeting the altar has been lined with seekers, no one but God knew what I was shouting about. Of course I was glad to see them saved, but, at the same time, I was rejoicing that instead of getting seven per cent I was realizing more like one hundred per cent on our losses.

     Wife said to me on one occasion, "A man is not an all-round man until he can MAKE money without becoming elated over it, and then, on the other hand, LOSE EVERY CENT without becoming too much dejected." Why should anyone go crazy, or commit suicide, as long as he has two good hands and feet? I cannot understand why anyone should do a rash act, so long as heaven and earth and a reasonable degree of health are left him. It is not how much one LOSES, but how much he has LEFT, that counts. Health, friends and opportunity all count.

     If my advice is worth anything, let me say, never invest in stocks or shares, unless you are able and willing to lose your holdings. About one man in a hundred succeeds well at this. Find out, first, what you are called to do -- wherein you can make a success spiritually, then financially -- and stick to it. Personally, I have never succeeded in making big sums of money in one deal, as many have in turning over real estate. Mine has come in little dribs, sometimes as low as one cent profit on a book, and sometimes actually nothing. But it is a more blessed satisfaction to know that I am blessing others rather than increasing our bank account.

     At one time I thought it would be nice if we could not only own our little home, but also have one or more rental properties. Thus we could have something to fall back upon in our declining years. But since we have had a little experience on this line also, I find it is all "vanity and vexation of spirit." The constant worry with dishonest people, besides taxes, repairs and city assessments, makes one feel that there is nothing in this old world, after all, that fully satisfies. Though God has been pleased to smile upon us financially, yet I sometimes get solid comfort in saying to myself, "I own nothing and do not want to own anything, but simply live to bless others, then go home to heaven forever."

     Let me say in conclusion that I am sixty, and God has seen fit to rule and overrule all my blunders and losses so that we are able now to GIVE, rather than receive. Our children are all saved and called as soul-winners. I am a happy and thankful man. I have more calls than I can fill, and at present it looks as though I am good for another twenty years. We aim at giving, not only the tenth, but more like the fifth, which amounts to considerable from the sale of some forty books or more. To God, yes, to God be all the glory!