The Red Cloud chief., 1916-08-10
LESSON FOR AUGUST 13
THE GRACE OF LIVING.
LESSON TEXT-lI Cor ..

you an example, that 40 lahnring We ought |
to help the weak, and to remember the
words ~ the Lord Jesus. that hc himself |
said II IL more blessed to give than to
trCcivc. Acts ~ u.
raul's letters to the church In
'orinth are Il divine commentary upon
church government. A strictcr nd
urrcurC to the principles cnunciatrd
md clearer Interpretation of those
principles to the church uf Jesus Christ
would save us from many errors ANA
lcurtachcs. In this rich and populous
lltton the lesson for consideration to.
lay is most vital, for 1t concerns one
If the fundamental principles which
mlurly the progress of mankind as
well as the kingdom of God.
I. Cheerful Giving Wv. l-O. one of
'hc dangers uSSailug the early Chris
dan church was that of division be-
tween the Jewish and Gentle bclicr'
rrs. one party suggested that ihc
Gcutilcs ought to have II closer union
with the Jews; ON the other hand, GER
lain Grntilcs could not see the ncccSsi'
~ of the Jewish ceremonial, and In
'urr they refused tO assume any I'M
necessary burden. The great fcasts
II Jerusalem were crowded with phi
grims, both Jews and Jewish Chris.
iuuS. The pilgrims were often very
DOOR, and fatigue must have fost"red
liSrascs. Here then was place
where a work of ministry to the needy
4 l, hA
had been Systematically gathered
through the weekly contributions of
Christian believers. Note how skill
fully Paul appealed to these Corin'
thiaus. lie recognizes their forward
ness Of mind and their zeal (vv ana
?, Am. R.). Most dclicately does he
compliment them upon their work. f0r,
said he, Il glory In your behalf"
lie desired their collections to be
matter Of bounty, and not Of covctous-
ness or extortion. Pauls principle or
giving Is TINT 1t shall be matter or
free and beneticent gifts, not matter
OF covetous greed; not quid pro quo.
lie says that they who SOW sparingly
shall reap spnringly.
u. The Results Of Giving wv. S-15).
The law of reaping according to the
seed we sow ana 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 "tC
| the bountiful giver." Nothing more
surely limits the measure OF grace that
we receive than our penuriOus, mig
gardly giving (Phil. 4:10 and contexD
This giving Of grace Is "in order that
ye always having all sufficlency In al
things may abound unto every gooc
work" Gods abundant grace Is be
slowed upon us that we may work FOL
Lthers, 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 "h,larious giving" God Loves
the full-sOued. hilarious giver wh'
gives time und money. Such giving II
like unto Gods giving, who gave hi
only begotten son. II we SOW as Coz
provides, he will multiply the seed TO
sowing and increase the fruits OF on
righteousness. II we do not SOW, n
will cease to supply.
This llberallty will work through u
to others and thanksgiving to God OF
the part of those who receive ". IL, X
W. Such giving abOunds to his homo
and glory through the many thanks
givings which 1t will occasion Uiet
1870. The more we give, the NOR
God will increase our power to give
and In this way we will be enriched i
everything unto all liberallty Uro'
11:24-25). The church In Jerusalem
when the saints Of Corinth had give
proof by the minlstration to their nee,
would glorify God for the obedience G
the saints In COrinth and their confe'
sion Of the gospel Of Christ and ais
for the liberality OF their contribute
unto them ". 13, II. W. They wOul
repay their generosity with prayer {
IA, Il. W and they would long afts
them by reason Of the grace OF Go
which was In them.
Pauls words about our giving wit
thanksgiving to God for his unspeal
able gift-(See Oh. S:9) the unspeal
able gift OF God, Jesus Christ (Joh
8:16; Rom. 8 :32)-is an exhOrtatlC
to us. Nothing should so move US
| give to others as the thought OF wh'
! God has given of his very best ar
, dearest for us. 80
: The Sunday school, as the trainlr
I school Of the church, ought to give 1
Q s'ruction net alone in salvation tru
: and life teaC hing, but also in systemat
> giving. Train the children early
0 give to the church portion Of the
v substance, and thcy will learn to lo'
1t and support 1t In the years to CON
Persistent practice Is the secret
mastery here as In everything els
Il Wa cav. H\Zhnn a rich man liaQ