Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.
Matthew 25:40
Words: Eliza S. Alderson, 1864. About this hymn, she said, It was the very strong feeling that a tithe of our income was a solemn debt to God and His poor, which inspired it.
Music: Charitas John B. Dykes, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868 (🔊 pdf nwc). Dykes, the author’s brother, wrote the tune for these lyrics.
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Alderson (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Lord of Glory, who hast bought us
With Thy lifeblood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones
That tremendous sacrifice;
And with that hast freely given
Blessings countless as the sand,
To the unthankful and the evil
With Thine own unsparing hand.
Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to yield Thee
Gladly, freely, of Thine own.
With the sunshine of Thy goodness
Melt our thankless hearts of stone.
Till our cold and selfish natures,
Warmed by Thee, at length believe
That more happy and more blessèd
’Tis to give than to receive.
Wondrous honor hast Thou given
To our humblest charity.
In Thine own mysterious sentence,
Ye have done it unto Me.
Can it be, O gracious Master,
Thou dost deign for alms to sue,
Saying by Thy poor and needy,
Give as I have given you
?
Yes: the sorrow and the suffering,
Which on every hand we see,
Channels are for tithes and offerings
Due by solemn right to Thee;
Right of which we may not rob Thee,
Debt we may not choose but pay,
Lest that face of love and pity
Turn from us another day.
Lord of Glory, who hast bought us
With Thy lifeblood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones
That tremendous sacrifice;
Give us faith, to trust Thee boldly;
Hope, to stay our souls on Thee;
But O, best of all Thy graces,
Give us Thine own charity.