The Green Forest tribune., 1916-08-11
LESSON FOR AUGUST 13 THE GRACE OF LIVING.
LESSON TEXT-II Cor. g.

 you an example, that so laboring ye ousnt to beln inc weak. and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that ne hlIhseli said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35.
 PauPs letters to the church in Corinth are a divine commentary upon church government. A stricter au- herence to the principles enunciated and a clearer interpretation or those principles to the church of Jesus Chrlsl would save us from many errors ana heartaches. In this rich and populous nation the lesson for consideration to- day is most vital. for it concerns one of the fundamental principles Which underly the progress of mankind as well as the kingdom of God.
 1. Cheerful Giving (vv. ID. One or the dangers assailing the early ChrlS- tian church was that of division De- tween the Jewish and Gentle believ- CTS. One party suggested that the Gentiles ought to have closer union with the Jews; on the other hand, cer- tain Gentiles could not see the necesSl- ty of the Jewish ceremonial, and ln this Paul agreed with them and there fore they refused to assume any un- necessary burden. The great feasts at Jerusalem were crowded With pll- grims, both Jews and Jewish Chrls- tians. The pilgrims were often very poor, and fatigue must have foStered diseases. Here then was place where a work of ministry to the needy might be done with the money which had been systematically gathered through the weekly contributions or Christian believers. Note how skill fully Paul appealed to these Corln- thians. He recognizes tn T forward ness of mind and their zeal (vv. and ?, Am. R.). Most delicately does he compliment them upon their work, for, said he, q glory in your behalf.
 He desired their collections to be matter of bounty, and not of covetous- ness or eXtortion. Paul's principle of giving is that it shall be matter of free and beneficent gifts, not matter of covetous greed; not quid pro quo. He says that they who SOW sparlngly shall reap sparingly.
 In the spirit of pouring out bless ing upon others those who SOW bound- fully shall reap also bountifully. Civ ing is sowing Small, indeed will be the harvest of many professed Chris tians when they reap according as they have given. True giving begins with the purpose of the heart (v. D, but what a man purposes in his heart he must carry out in his actions, not "ofs necessity is, because lie IS forced to. God loves the cheerful, glad giver who delights to see his hard earned money going out of his own pocket into that of his needful brother.
 II. The Results of Giving (vv. S-15). The law of reaping according to the seed we SOW and of reaping in propor- ton to the quality and quantity of the seed sown is also to be supplemented by the law of the necessity of Sys- tematic giving (See I Cor. 16 :2). One of the sweetest and most cheerful and inspiring promises of the Bible is found in verse s of this section, God is able" He is able to make all grace abound, and he does this ito the bountiful giver." Nothing more surely limits the measure of grace that we receive than our penuriOuS, nig- gardly giving (Phil. 4 :19 and context). This giving of grace is 'in order that ye always having all sufficiency in all things may abound unto every good work" Gods abundant grace is be- slowed upon us that we may work for others, and live abounding, sufficient lives in everything. How poor indeed our lives must appear when measured by the standard of this verse. Literal ly this is hilarious giving" God loves the full-souled, hilarious giver who gives time and money. Such giving is like unto Gods giving, who gave his only begotten son. If we SOW as God provides, he will multiply the seed for sowing and increase the fruits of our righteousness. If we do not SOW, he will cease to supply.
 This liberality will work through US to others and thanksgiving to God on the part of those who receive (v. H. k. VI. Such giving abounds to his honor and glory through the many thanks givings which it will occasion (Heb 13 :15). The more we give, the more God will increase our power to give and in this way we will be enriched in everything unto all liberality Prov Il :24-25). The church in Jerusalem when the saints of Corinth had given proof by the ministration to their need would glorify God for the obedience o1 the saints in Corinth and their comics sion of the gospel of Christ, and also for the liberality of their contribution unto them (v. 13, R. V.l.- They would repay their generosity with prayer (v IA, R. V.) and they would long aftel them by reason of the grace of Goo which was in them.
 Paul's words about our giving witt thanksgiving to God for his unspeak able gift-(See Oh. 8:9) the unspeak able gift of God, Jesus Christ (Johl 3:16; Rom. 8:32)-is an exhortatiol to us. Nothing should so move us t
 give to others as the thought of wha God has given of his very best ap, dearest for us.
 The Sunday school, as the trainin
 school of the church, ought to give ir struction not alone in salvation trut
 and life teaching, but also in systemati
 giving. Train the children early t