1 Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: A minister who had lately occupied the pulpit of a brother was dining with the family of the absent minister, when the conversation turned upon the subject of teetotalism. The lady who presided at the table said, "Ah! I do not like your doctrines; you go too far in refusing the good creatures of God." No notice was taken of the remark for some time; the minister kept on with his dinner, but at last he said, "Pray, madam, can you tell me who made this?" pointing to a glass of water that stood before him. The lady replied, "Why, God, I suppose." "Then," said the minister, "Madam, I think you do us an injustice when you accuse us of refusing the good creatures of God." Silence again reigned. By and by he said, "Madam, can you tell me who made yours?" pointing to the glass of beer that the lady preferred. "I can't exactly say I can. "Then, madam, replied he," allow me to say there is some apparent inconsistency in your first remark. You prefer taking a thing man has made to that which God has bountifully provided, and yet you accuse me of rejecting God's creatures, because I prefer water to beer. Madam, I leave the matter to your more serious consideration." The lady has since seen her error, and joined the ranks of the total abstainers. If it be received with thanksgiving. — Parallel Verses KJV: For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: |
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