The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-08-10
LESSON FOR AUGUST 13
THE GRACE OF LIVING.


GOLDEN TEXT-In all things l gave
Won an example, that SO laboring ye ought
TO help the weak, and to remember inc
words of the Lord Jesus, that he himseiI
said. It is more blessed to give than 10
receive.-Acts 20:35.
Paurs letters to the church IN
Corinth are divine commentary upon
church government. A strlcter al
herence to the principles enunclaCeo
and a clearer Interpretation OF those
principles to the church of Jesus Christ
would save us from many errors anu
heartaches. In this rich and popalous
nation the lesson for consideration TO-
day is most vital, for 1t concerns one
of the fundamental principles wmch
underly the progress of mankind as
well as the kingdom Of God.
1. Cheerful Giving wv. I'D. One OF
the dangers assailing the early Chris-
tian church was that Of division be-
tween the Jewish and Gentle believ-
ers. One party suggested that tue
Gentiles ought to have closer union
with the Jews on the other hand, Ger
tain Gentiles could not see the necessl-
ty of the Jewish ceremonial, anu III
This Paul agreed with them, and there
fore they refused to assume any un-
necessary burden. The great 1eas.s
at Jerusalem were crowded with Pill
orims both Jews and Jewish Chris
fans. The pilgrims were often very
Door, and fatigue must have Iostereo
diseases. Here then was place
where a work of ministry to the neeoy
might be done with the money wmcn
had been systematically gathered
through the weekly contributions OF
Christian believers. Note how SKILL
fully Paul appealed to these Corln-
thians. He recognizes their forward
ness of mind and their zeal ivy. 1 ana
@ Am. R.). Most delicateiy does ne
commitment them upon their work, 1or'
said he, II glory in your behalf.
He desired their collections to De
/ matter of bounty, and not OF covetous-
ness or eztortion. Paurs principle OF
ewing Is that ic shall be matter I'll
free and henefcent gifts, not matter
of covetous greed; not quid pro quo
He says that they who SOW sparingiy
shall reap sparingly.
n. The Results of Giving wv. S-lo)'
The law of reaping according TO the
seed we~sow and Of reaping in proper
ton to the quality and quantity OF the
seed sown is also to be supplemented
nv the law of the necessity OF sys'
tematic giving (See Cor. 1922. one
If the sweetest and most cheerful ana
inspiring promises of the Bible Is
found in verse 8 of this section,
"God is able" He is able to make all
grace abound, and he does this 10
the bountiful giver." Nothing more
surely limits the measure OF grace tna'
we receive than our penurious, mig
gardly giving (Phil. 10 and context).
This giving of grace is "in order that
ve always having all sufficicncy In all
things may abound unto every goou
work" Gods abundant grace is be-
slowed upon us that we may work 1or
others. and live Astounding, sufnclent
lives in everything. How poor 1ndeeu
our lives must appear when measured
nv the standard of this verse. Literal
" this is "hilarious giving" Goa loves
the full-souled, hilarious glver VINO
gives time and money. Such giving Is
like unto Gods giving, who gave MS
only beg otten son. If we SOW as Oou
provides, he will multiply the SEED 1or
sowing and increase the fruits OF our
righteousness. If we do not SOW ne
will cease to supply.
This liberality will work through us
TO others and thanksgiving to COO on
the part of those who receive ". IL, H..
w. Such giving abounds to his honor
and glory through the many thanks
giyings which it will occasion (HeD'
1919. 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 iberality (ProV'
IL .24-25). The church in Jerusalem
when the saints of Corinth had gwen
proof by the ministration to their need,
would glorify God for the obedience Oh
the saints in Corinth and their conIes-
sion of the gospel of Christ, and also
for the liberality of their contribution
unto them ". 13, R. W. They would
repay their generosity with prayer ".
IA R. W and they would long after
them by reason Of the grace of God
which was in them.
Paurs words about our giving with
thanksgiving to God for his unspeak-
able gift-(See Oh. 10y the 1nspeak-
able gift Of God, Jesus Christ John
s:16; Rom. s:32)-Is an exhortation
to MS. Nothing should so move rs to
give to others as the thought Of what