The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-06-06
Principles Of Christian Stew.
aTdship (. q Corinthians ?
Nv RALPH ROGERS

aFdshlb u Corinthians 2
by RALPH ROGERS
Human nature hasn't changed
much with the years. Paul had
Travelled quite a bit, found many
loyal friends who were generous
in providing for the missionary's
every want, and proved himself
and able teacher and a popular
preacher. Naturally there were
folks envious and jealous of his
success and the home church at
Jerusalem had been most vicious
in their criticism. This second let
ter to the Church at Corinth had
two detectives, one to silence the
criticism at Jerusalem, and Sec
ond, to urge his loyal followers in
Corinth to send relief to the needy
Christians in Jerusalem. It was a
genuine Christian act since he was
providing food for his very anita.
gonists, perhaps his enemies.
This letter was written about
the year. 81 while Paul was in
Mseedenla and expresses some
thing II the feelings and aetiYi.
Ties Of ihs Apostle IS well Is
being much concerned Abeuf the
welfare 81 ire church Of corinth.
II seems that Titus and rive IN.
named companions had been
sent cut 10 secure relief for the
!'sainfs" In jerusalem, and were
authorized to receive money In
The name, ct me Whele church.
Paul apparently knew something
ahsvt the difficulties Of HE home
church since he says, "as touch
ing the. mlnistsring 70 fie saints,
II is s0psrflvovs for me 10 write
yov." u ls = fevehY matter 70
write about mensy but Paul
sesFnsste Be NEST adept in the
meter - he approaches that
subject carefully. He knows that
they will help evt OF their bovn-
~ 80 he Is simply. urging them
10 get their money in on time,
Before his next wish. In fact Ae.
hale has had their money ready
for . wholo ysar. Don't let them
aef, ahead Of Yeu. That sounds
modernIsile.
Paul doesn't want to be be let
down since he has been Boosting to
Macedonians about the generosity
OF Corinthians. Naturally he doesn't
want to ''be put to shame"
and so he not only commends the
church at Corinth for their giving
and stewardship. but goes on to
explain the blessings which come
from Christian giving. Paul seems
to have originated the old story Of
the minister who received the free
viii offering from the box at the
door. His son saw him put q quar-
ter in as he entered the church
and take out the lone quarter after
the congregation had gone. The
youngster said, ''If you would have
put In more you would have gotten
more out of it." Paul says, ''He
that soweth sparingly shall also
reap sparingly."
There must be SEINE urge Or
Impulse which makes people
sixe 70 tho many worthy eavs.
es % well 90 10 the church. u is
known that SEINE take pride In
paFading ihaif aims % the Pha.
Fisses did Of cid. There are
others who sivs generously be-
cause they believe In ths cause
they support rather than "fs be
seen 81 men," u is not charity
WREN We leek for applause Or
reward. Ones heart should be In
hls cir. Paul believed In ihis
and 80 urged that they give 20
ne hath pvrpessd In his heart;
NET srVdsinsIY, or Of necessity"
u 10 fhs cheerful. the enthusiasts
Gle silver whe benefits NEST. Ten
nYson says, "cIvs ell ihev eansf,
hish heaven rejects fhs lsrs Of
nicely eslevlatsd less Or more"
The generous giving Of the Cor,
inthians will not only supply the
physical needs for the saints al
Jerusalem, but Paul says they
viii "glorify God for the obediance
Of your confession" II could be
that the church In jerusalem had
not been as generous and helpful
~ they should. These same PEG.
pie had made unsavory remarks
about the churches Paul had or.
ganized. The generous giving and
Christian charity by these distan,
churches certainly would impress
the saints In Jerusalem with the