The Carlisle independent., 1909-12-02
digestion and Practical Thouaf

The Grace of Giving It's Blessed ness and Principles
 l The Immediate Object. The Col lection for the Poor Disciples of the Mothehr Chruch in Jerusalem.-The first thing in giving is heart to give; the next is an object that needs our gifts. This also kindles our hearts desire to give The object which called out the many wise precepts which Paul wrote to the Corinthians. was the need of the poor disciples at Jerusalem. This object as a motive was greatly strengthened by the fact that by these gifts the members of the church at Jerusalem would be bound closer to the Gentle Christians though this expression of love and sympathy; and this new bond was needed because there was no small danger of rupture.
 The Gentle Christians were living in rich commercial centers. and while few were of the wealthy class, all had much more money in circulation than the Christian Jews at Jerusalem
 Why the Jewish Christians Needed Help. CD The Christians were, as a rule, from the poorer classes. CD The opposition to them as Christians made it difficult for them to obtain work for their support
 II. The Privilege of Giying.-Vs. 1, 2. l.. We do to you to-wit. R. ", We make known to you" Cause you to know" the grace of God the favor, the privilege, the expression of loving kindness, the good will beautiful de lightful, and producing in them the Braces of the Christian life bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, espe- cially the church at Philippi, who re- peatedly sent donations to Paul to help him in his work.
 9 The abundance of their joy. Tn the next chapter we have a most in- teresting expression, God loveth a cheerful siver," he loves such a one because he is man after Gods own heart, in perfect sympathy and har- mony with him.
 III. Giving Out of Poverty and Ali fiction.-V 2 This abundance of joy abounded unto the riches of their lib erality. 'It is worth remarking that HON ucISt save III 1 HI. D. (, uO6S St Paul use the word riches of ma terial, but with that one exception. solely of moral or spiritual wealth.
 ". The Example of Philippi Was a Help to Corinth.-Vs 3, 1. G. The Philippians were very generous, they gave even too much, freely without persuasion on the part of Paul. In his gospel of wealth, MT Carnegie says: No one is entitled to recommend acting upon them"
 V. The Source of Generous Giving " 5. They did, not as we hoped, or expected, but far beyond our expecta- tions. But first, that is, first in i'm portance. chiefly.
 What St Paul says is virtually this: We expected little from people so poor, but by Gods will they literal ly put themselves at the service of the Lord, in the first instance, and of us as his administrators. They said to us, to our amazement and joy, We are Christ's, and yours after him, to command in this matter"
 VI Completing the Circle of Vir- tues-V T. As ye abound in every thing, all the other virtues, see that ye abound in this grace also. This must be done in order to make their char acter perfect. Every virtue omitted or lessened injures the whole charac ter, and diminishes the influence of every virtue.
 VII. The Example of Christ-V. 9. 'Ye know the grace" the loving favor, of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, as the eternal Son of God in heaven before he came to earth. Yet for your sakes he became poor" This means infinitely more than ab- stinence from material good while on earth. For riches denotes, not actual enjoyment of the things possessed. bat control oveS things needful or pleas ant to us.'
 VIII. The Will for the Deed-V 12. If there be first willing mind, r. v., "if the readiness is there" A dispo- sition to give, heart that is ready for self-denials What God wants is a right soul, right character, low ing heart, and he does not measure or reward it according to its means of expressing itself. It. the willing mind, or the gift, is accepted, r. v., accept able" according to that man hath. etc. A delightful principle, worthy of him who 'loveth cheerful giver" @ Cor. SD. that the acceptability of all our offerings depends not on the amount given but on. the proportion which 1t bears to our means (comp. Ex. 25:2; 35:5: l Chron. 29:9.- Schaff. This sentiment the Saviour expressly stated and defended in the case of the poor widow (Mark 12:42- A.: Luke 21:1-G.
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