Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-08-17
LESSON FOR AUGUST 10
THE GRACE OF LIVING.
lesson rExT-1I Cor. ..

you an example, that so laboring We ought
to help the weak, and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself
said, it is more blessed to give than to
receive.-Acts 20:35
Paul's letters to the church In
Corinth are a divine commentary upon
church government. A stricter adj
herence to the principles enunciated
and clearer Interpretation of those
principles to the church of Jesus Christ
would save us from many errors and
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.
I. Cheerful Giving wv. 1-7). 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 the
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 a 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 wv. and
2, Am. RI. Most delicately does he
compliment them upon their work, for,
said he, II glory in your behalf"
He desired their collections to be
matter of bounty, and not of covetous-
ness or extortion. PauPs 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 sparingly
shall reap sparingly.
II. The Results of Giving wv. 8-15).
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 1 Cor. 16 :2). One
of the sweetest and most cheerful and
inspiring promises Of the Bible is
found in verse 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
gardly giving (Phil. 4 10 and context).
This giving of grace Is "in order that
We always having all sufficiency in all
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
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 ". IL, r.
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 of
the saints in Corinth and their confess
sion Of the gospel of Christ, and also
for the liberality Of their contribution
unto them ". 10, r. w. They would
repay their generosity with prayer (v.
IA, r. W. and they would long after
them by reason of the grace OF God
which was in them.
PauIs words about our giving with
thanksgiving to God for his unspeak-
able gift-(See Oh. 8:9) the unspeak-
able gift of God, Jesus Christ (John
8 :16; Rom. 8 :32)-is an exhorration
to US. Nothing should so move us to
give to others as the thought of what
God has given Of his very best and
dearest for us.
The Sunday school, as the training
school of the church, ought to give in
struction not alone in salvation truth
and life teaching, but also in systematic
giving. Train the children early to
give to the church a portion of their
substance, and they will learn to love
it and support 1t in the years to come.
Persistent practice Is the secret of
mastery here as in everything else.
We say: when a rich man dies he
leaves all his wealth behind him"