The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-03-19
Improved Uniform International
Sll1nldaySel1ool
: ' Lesson '
tBy REV. p. B. FITZWATER. D. D.. Mem
Der Of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute
Of Chicago)
&c. 1891, Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for March %
THE USE AND ABUSE OF GODS
GIFTS.
Temperance Lesson)

GOLDEN TEXT-And be not drunk
with wine. wherein is excess; but be
filled with the Spirit.
LESSON TEXT-Luke 12:13-4S.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Tells Us
How to Use Gods Good Gifts.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Jesus Tells Us How
to Use Gods Good Gifts.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-The Sin Of Drunkenness and Glut-
tony.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Enslaving Power Of Strong
Drink.
!. Warning Against cevetousness
wv. 1879.
1. The occasion ". 13). The occa-
sion Of this warning was the request
Of one Of the company that Jesus be
the umpire regarding a disputed es-
tate. Two brothers were in trouble
over an Inheritance.
2. Jesus reply ". 14). He said,
'Man, who made me a Judge or a
divider over your" He refused to en-
ter the sphere Of the civil law. Christ's
mission was pre-eminently spiritual.
3. The warning ". 15). The clear
implication is that If due attention Is
given to intoxicating right principles
In the hearts Of the people, civic and
economic problems will largely adjust
themselves.
u. The Parable Of a Rich Fool wv.
1921.
The parable Of this rich planter
shows clearly that to be concerned
with earthly riches while neglecting
God is the height Of folly. Observe:
1. The increase Of his goods ". 1877.
This clearly implies that his riches
we're rightfully obtained, for the
ground brought forth plentifully.
2. his perplexity ". ~. His land
was producing more than his barns
would hold. He was at a loss to know
what to do. No thrifty man wants to
see the legitimate fruits of his toll
perish. II he had possessed right
views Of life and a sense Of steward
ship before God, he would have seen
that his barns had enough for his
personal needs and then have dis
tributed the surplus to the needy.
8. His fatal choice Wv. 1s, 19). He
chose to enlarge his harms and give
up his life to ease and luxury. He
made plans without consulting God.
4. His awful indictment wv. 20, ~.
God called him fool. His plans were
cut short by an immediate death SEN
tence.
III. The Certain Cure for Anxiety
wv. 22-84).
Having shown the folly Of rich men
who gained gold and lost God. Jesus
now urged the disciples to trust God
and dismiss all anxious care.
/. The argument wv. "a. 2s). Il L.
summed up In one brief sentenca
'"The life is more than meat and body
10 more than raiment."
2. The illustrations wv. 24-2s). (a)
Gods care for the fowls wv. 24-26).
The ravens do not sow nor reap. They
have not storehouse nor barn yet they
live, for God feeds them. If God does
not forget the fowls. certainly he will
do more for his children. (b) Gods
care for the flowers Of the field wv.
n, 28). If God is so careful Of the
flowers which appear but for a day,
how much more will he clothe his
children?
8. The exhortations wv. 1884. (a)
The getting Of food and clothes should
not be mans chief concern. (b) Seek
the kingdom Of God ". 31). Those
vine make Gods kingdom first shall
have all their needs supplied (PhiL
4:19). (c) Be not afraid ". 32). Gods
good pleasure IL upon his own. and
all good things he will give. (d) Prac-
tice self-denial In order to be able to
give to those in need wv. SO, 34).
Nv. Be Ready for the Coming Of the
Lord wv. S5-4s).
Having warned the disciples against
the acquisition Of worldly goods while
forgetting God, and shown them the
neediessness Of anxiety for food and
clothing, he showed them the blessed
ness Of being In state Of readiness
when the Lord shall come. This atti-
tude Of heart he made clear by two
parallels:
1. That Of the returning lord wv.
$500. The Lord will be so pleased
with those who are waiting for him
that he will take delight in sitting at
the banquet with them and even serv-
ing them.
2. The thief in the night wv. 3s-40).
This parable shows that the time Of
the Lords coming is not known. The
proper thing is to be ready.
8. Reward will be given to the faith
full wv. 41-4S). The faithful servant
will be promoted at the coming Of the
Lord. Awful Judgment will be meted
out upon the unfaithful servant.