Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-04-09
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Eopic For Week Beginning April l3.
Comment by Rev. s. Ii. Doyle.

Comment by Rev. s. III. Doyle.
Topic. Giving; its law; its reflex influ-
ence-II Cor viii. 1-5; TX. 8. Z; Cor. xvi.
la
The Christian life is constant re-
ceiving and giving. We receive great
blessings from God daily and are ex'
pected In return TO give and even to
give unto God. Not that God needs
our gifts. but that we need TO make
them. David's exclamation, What
shall render unto the Lord for all His
benefits?" finds an echo in every heart.
Even the idol worshiping heather in
all ages have felt the operation of this
same sentiment and have responded TO
it. 1t should possess us also. Freely
we have received from God, freely
we should give TO God.
The example of Christ should also
be stimulus to Christian giving. Paul
refers to this example in his appeal to
the Corinthians for the fulfillment of
their benevolent obligations. "1e
know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ. that, though He was rich. yet
for your sakes He became poor that
We through his poverty might become
rich" Paul also used the example
and method of the Macedonians to pro-
woke the Corinthians to the good work
of liberality. Though in affiiction and
in poverty, they gave literally and
willingly TO their needy brethren after
first having given themselves to Christ.
In all these charac- eristics they should
stimulate all Christians to increased
liberality in giving.
The New Testament law of giving is
undoubtedly systematic and proper
Tomato" Upon the first day of the
week let every one Of you lay by him
in store as God hath prospered him"
In the Old Testament dispensation the
law required that tenth be given to
the Lord, but this rule of Pauls is the
nearest law to be found upon the sub
1ect in the New Testament. 1t de-
clares In favor of systematic giving in
proportion as God blesses US. This
law is Scriptural. just and practicable.
1t makes it possible for all the children
Of God to meet their obligations in this
respect. Rich and poor alike can reg
ularly lay aside proportion of what
God gives them for the support of His
work and the calls of charity that are
made upon them. If God gives us but
little, then we viii have but little to
give: If He blesses us abundantly, then
I'VE may have the joy of giving liberal
ly to His cause and kingdom. In any
case. let us obey this law of giving
Willingly and cheerfully, for 1.-THE Lord
loveth a cheerful giver."
The reflex influence of giving is a
positive blessing and experience. 1t is
a promise of Gods word, which, like
all His other promises. will not fail of
fulfillment HE that soweth sparing-
ly shall reap also sparingly. and he
that soweth beautifully shall reap also
beautifully" The reflex influence Of
miserliness is poverty poverty in
friends. poverty in peace and poverty
in the blessings of God. The reflex in
ifuence of giving is riches-riches in
friends, in joy, in peace and in the
blessings of God. Giving blesses twice
in that it blesses him who gives and
him that receives. Every man ac-
cording as he purposeth in his heart, so
1et him give, not grudgingiy or of ne
cessity, for God loveth a cheerful
giver."
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. xviii, 20-22; Lev. xvii. 1884;
Mum. xviii. 20, 81. "a; Neh. xiii. 1912;
Nal. iii. 7-12; Matt. vi. IA; John iii, 49,
Acts ii, A. 10: Xxx. 80; Phil ", l5-1T.
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