The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-04
Sunday School Lesson for September S.
Gemtiles Giving for Jewish Christians.
2 TX, 1-11.
BY j. e. GILBERT, d. d., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education
2 Cor. TX, I'LL.

donia, that he expected after little
to continue his journey southwark and
visit Corinth, and that the collection
would be paid over to him after his ar
rival That was the mode OF receiving
and dlsbursing funds, made necessary
by the condition of society at the time.
Paul was anxious that the Corinthians
might be prepared for the collection. He
thought that possibly some one might
accompany him from Philippi, and feared
that the amount contributed would be
too small far below what the church
was able to give, causing shame to them
selves and to Paul, and injuring the cause
of benevolence in general He had boast
ed of Corinth at Philippi and now de-
sired his boasting to be made good. 1t
was on that account that the brethren
had come in advance of him, bearing this
letter: ito make up beforehand the
bounty" and have 1t all ready against
his coming. Here is apostolic practice.
If Titus did his part well, by instruct
ing the people and organizing the plan
of benevolence, the method doubtless
proved highly successful worthy of imi-
tation in the modern church.
BOUNTIFUL.-Had Paul closed with
the fifth verse he might have been mis-
understood. Some may have thought that
he intended to appeal to the pride of the
people, and to set them in rivalry with
other churches. Such an inference,
greatly to be deplored, however, was pre-
vented by what followed. He desired a
bountiful collection and said so, but he
based his plea on an entirely different
and every way more worthy considera-
tion. Verse g.. He let them know that
a blessing comes from every generous act
duke vi, 3S), even as the Master taught
Hence, their blessing must be proper
toned to their gift. All this he expressed
y,1,y al.
to the sowing of grain prov. xix, 10, a
mode of speech employed in many places
in Scripture. gal. vi, 7-9. BY this
teaching he saves himself from every
charge of using improper motives, which
unfortunately, is now often done by many
who are Jealous in raising funds for the
Lords cause. In Paul's thought benevo-
lence Is an important means Of grace
CHEERFUL.-The last thought leaves
the giver to decide for himself what shall
be the amount of his Offering. That is
matter not to be determined by any min
ister, or by any person. He must purpose
in his own heart, and then give-give be-
cause he wishes to give, and give accord
ing as he wishes. Verse y. He must not
act because necessity is laid upon him,
through circumstances that may put him
under embarrassment, causing him to do
beyond what he can afford or beyond
what he wishes. To give grudgingly is
not to give at all-it is to yield to the
force or pressure of outside influence.
The cheerful offering of ones substance
in the work of the Lord, the heart
prompting the act, is true giving. And
that is well-pleasing to God who looks
at the heart, Il Sam. xvi, y, or the mo-
tive. This teaching of Paul is by no
means new. 1t was as old as Moses. CEx,
XIV, p. He could not do less or ask less
than was required under the old dispen-
sation. prov. XII, 25. The standard of
excellence under Christianity must not be
lower than that under Judaism. (Ex.
xxXv, 81.
SUFF1CIENT.-The act of giving in