Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-04
POVERTY AND RICHES,
Luke, 6:2o-26; 16:1o-3I.
Golden text: A mans life
CONSISTENT not in the album
dance of the things which he
possesseth. Luke, 1915.

| ~R lesson 10 30 closely related in
fD9 thought to last Sundays that
| many scholars consider the hrst
portion OF our study to be part OF the
sermon on the mountain. The apparent
differences have caused many to believe
| that the sermon on the mount Is not
identical with the sermon on the plain.
recorded by Luke. The differences in
statement are probably due to the per
sonality, plan and purpose Of each evan
gelist. Matthew, writing to the Jews.
naturally selected such material as would
aid him to evangelist the Jews. Luke
establish the universally OF Christian
ity. used such portions OF Chrtst's mes
sage as would best serve his purpose.
Matthew emphasized the spiritual phase
Of Christ's message Of the kingdom OF
Heaven. Luke has been termed the So
cialst evangelist" because the principle
upon which he evidently based his selec-
| lions, both in his gospel and history OF
the Acts Of the Apostles. was his desire
to lay special stress upon the social as
poets of Christianity.
Another explanation for the unique So
cial emphasis Of Luke's writings, with
their marked coioring Of interest in the
poor and antagonism to the rich. is found
in the suggestion that Luke quoted from
| a different source than Matthew. 1t Is
not important for us to reason how or
why they differ. We must note the sig
nificance Of the difference and learn the
lesson which the Scripture teaches us
whether Luke's sermon was delivered on
the mountain or not. The fact Is that
Luke treats here a modern problem that
Is the burning question with the poll
tician. proletar1at and preacher. The
modern diverse social conditions, which
many have thought had created a new
social question, Is not q new situation
or Of unprecedented gravity. 1t was q
pressing problem when Jesus commenced
His ministry. announcing the program
Of Christianity in the words Of Isaiah,
THE spirit Of the Lord il upon me, be-
cause He hath anointed me to preach
good tidings to the poor; He hath sent
me to proclaim release to the captives.
at liberty them that are bruised, to
preach the acceptable year OF our Lord"
In our lesson the Master Is evidently
speaking OF the two social extremes. the
Idle plutocrat and the unemployed poor,
which have something in common. DR..
Peabody tells us that leach group is
characterized by loss Of respect for work,
each. therefore. has its share Of RESPONSE
the time. The instruments Of this revolt
are likely to be found among the ex-
asperated poor. but the provocation to
revolt Is likely to proceed from the I'M
employed and self-indulgent rich. the
spenders OF that which others have
gained"
The social conditions Of today are
similar to the period Of Christs ministry.
The world was then, as now, a subject for
redemption, revival and reformation. We
look in vain for any blue prints that
would show in detail the program Of the
social engineer and furnish definite detail
directions as to the construction Of q
social order that would have no social
problems Jesus laid down the funda-
mental principles that form In part the
basis Of next weeks study. The Master
left for His followers the working out
under guidance Of the holy spirit Of the
detail application of His principles to
every crisis. The working out Of HIS
gospel has directly or indirectly trans
formed nations. changed the current of
civilization and made Christianity the
dominant force Of the world.
Jesus did not come as q social reformer
He sought to regenerate not reform men.
He worked outward from within, mold
Ing life by changing the character. The
social transition was . result Of the
spiritual Transformation. He has left
us the application Of the eternal prin-
problems Of plutocracy and poverty.
One Of the great questions for Chris
dAnS In tho past has been the solution Of
the perils Of poverty. This has to a
large extent been solved by tho charity
specialist applying the principles Of
future. but pressing for immediate solu-
ton 10 the eradication Of mammonism.
Social peace. progress and prosperity
hinge upon the proper application OF
Christ's teaching concerning poverty and
riches. oontrasted in our lesson to modern
Contrasts, Causes, Consequences.