The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-08-10
LESSON FOR AUGUST 13
THE GRACE or LIVING.

i LESSON TExT-II Cor. Q.
GOLDEN TEXT-In all things I gav'
you an example, that 50 laboring ye ough
i words OF the Lord Jesus, that he himself
] said. 1t Is more blessed TO give than t
receiye.-Acts 20:S5.
Pauls letters to the church II
! Corinth are divine commentary upor
church government. Al strfcter ad
] herence to the principles enunciatet
and a clearer Interpretation of those
/ principles to the church of Jesus Chris
would save us from many errors ant
theartaches. In this rich and populOus
/ nation the lesson for considerable 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. III. One OF
the dangers assailing the early Chris
tan church was that of division be,
tween the Jewish and Gentle believ.
| ers. One party suggested that the
Gentfles ought to have a closer union
with the Jews; on the other hand, Ger.
tain Gentiles could not see the necessi-
ty OF the Jewish ceremonial, and In
this Paul agreed with them, and there
fore they refused to assume any un-
necessary burden. The great feasts
at Jerusalem were crowded with pill
grims, both Jews and Jewish Chris
tians. The pilgrims were often very
poor, and fatigue must have fostered
diseases. Here then was place
where work of ministry to the needy
might be done with the money which
had been Systematically gathered
through the weekly contributions Of
Christian believers. Note how skill
fully Paul appealed to these Corin-
thians. He recognizes their forward
ness of mind and their zeal (vv.s1 and
2, Am. R.). Most delicately does he
compliment them upon their work, for,
said he, 81 glory In your behalf"
He desired their collections to be a
matter Of bounty, and not Of covetous-
ness or extortion. PauPs principle OF
giving Is that it shall be a matter Of
free and benefcent gifts, not a matter
Of covetous greed not a Quid pro quo
He says that they who sow sparingly
shall reap sparingly.
II. The Results Of Giving (vv. S-15).
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
by the law Of the necessity OF sys-
tematic giving (See Cor. 1922. One
of the sweetest and most cheerful and
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 ito
the bountiful giver." Nothing more
surely limits the measure of grace~that
we receive than our penurious, mig.
gardiy giving tPhil. 4:19 and context).
This giving of grace Is 'fn order that
We 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 Astounding, 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
If we do not SOW, he
will cease to supply.
This 1iberality will work through us
to others and thanksgiving to God on
the part OF those who receive ". IL, R.
W. Such giving abounds to his honor
and glory through the many thanks
gfvings which 1t 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 nberality (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 of
the saints in Corinth and their confess |
sion OF the gospel Of Christ, and also
for the nberality Of their contribution
unto them ". Is, 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.
Pauls words about our giving with !
thanksgiving to God for his unspeak.
able gift-(See Oh. 8 80 the unspeak-
able gift OF God, Jesus Christ John
) 40; Rom. S:32)--is an exhortation
10 us. Nothing should SO move us to
give to others as the thought of what
Sod has given OF his very best and
1eareSt for ua