Helps for the Children Giving Our Best 2 Cor. 8:1-5 Memory Verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35b). The church at Corinth received a letter from the beloved missionary, Paul. Paul rejoiced in many things that had taken place in this church, but he warned them that they were not giving as generously of their money to God’s work as they should. Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians of the churches of Macedonia whose members were poor and few in number. These churches might have re fused to give because they did not possess large sums of money. Because they had given fully of themselves to the Lord, they gave generously in spite of their poverty that others might hear the gospel which had so wonderfully changed their lives. Perhaps the Corinthian Christians would not have responded to Paul’s request for money if he had not reminded them of the example of other Christians less able to give than they were. Christian boys and girls sometimes be lieve that because they cannot give much of their time and money to their Lord that the little which they can give is not worth giving. You will remember the wonderful miracle that the Lofd Jesus performed with the loaves and fish of the little lad. The same Lord can take your little if you give it willingly and joyfully and bless it and make it a blessing to oth ers for His sake. August 29, 1954 Growth Through Christian Service Gal. 6 :1 ,2 ; Jas. 1:22, 26, 27; 2:14-17; 1 John 3:16-18 Pointers on the Lesson In order for sturdy growth action is needed. It is so in the realm of nature. The tree needs the breezes to make it sink its roots deep into the nourishing earth. The animal needs exercise to keep it well and strong. The same is true of man’s physical body. The stream must flow if its waters are to be kept pure and lifegiving. The same principle carries over into the spiritual realm. Unless the Christian puts into practice the things he has professed, he will not develop into a strong Christian. The passages chosen for this week’s lesson set forth some of the ways whereby the believer may exercise himself unto godliness and thus develop into maturity in the Christian life. Growth Through Reclamation Gal. 6 :1 ,2 Helping to restore brethren who have fallen before some temptation is a won derful way to demonstrate likeness to Christ. Instead of criticism there ought to be compassion extended toward those who have slipped from the way, a com passion which does something to win back the fallen one. The word restore used in verse 1 is the same word as used to mend nets in Matthew 4:21. God’s chil dren need to be in the mending business. They should also be seeking ways where by they can help to relieve the burdens so many are carrying these days. Growth Through Demonstration Jas. 1:22, 26, 27; 2:14-17
S U N D A Y S C H O O L continued be unhappy. Perhaps you have tried in your own strength to overcome this en emy. If you are discouraged, read God’s promise that says, “ But thanks he to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” You did not struggle to be saved; your salvation was a gift. You do not need to struggle for victory in your Christian life; ask God for this gift today. August 22, 1954 The lesson today is on the grace of Christian giving. Its purpose is to show how this grace will minister toward the spiritual growth of those who manifest it. A familiar Scripture says, “ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Lk. 12:34). This is to say that those who give to the Lord’s work are bound to have a lively interest in that work, and where there is an interest there is also sure to be action in the realm of that interest. Such action will produce growth in the things of the Lord. The Manner of Giving 1 Cor. 16:1, 2ab The Apostle Paul was working in be half of the poor saints in Palestine who were suffering as the result of a famine. He had urged the churches in Galatia to make an offering. Now he seeks the co operation of the Corinthians. Not long hence he would be coming to Corinth. Then he desired to receive their offering for those in need. In order that the offer ing might be ready when he arrived, Paul asked two things of them: (1) that they give regularly —“ upon the first day of the week,” and (2) that they give according to ability —“ as God hath prospered him.” Here are two principles that apply to the support of God’s work in every genera tion. Examples of Giving 2 Cor. 8:1-9 In this passage in which Paul urges the Corinthians to be faithful in the grace of giving, he enforces his plea with two out standing examples of giving. First, he calls attention to the Macedonians who gave liberally in spite of their own poverty (v. 2). They seemingly gave heyond their ability (v. 3). The secret of their abun dant giving was that they “ first gave their own selves to the Lord” (v. 5). When believers really do this other things fol low in proper order. Paul then commends the Corinthians for a number of things hut urges the importance of the grace of giving. Second, he sets before them the supreme example of giving, namely, that of the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His best that poor sinners might be eternally forgiven and enriched. Think of the scope of verse 9. It calls attention to Christ of the eternity past who was possessed of all riches; it shows Him in His downward steps of humiliation to the death of the cross; and it suggests the infinite riches made possible to those who will enter into a saving relationship with Him. Growth Through Christian Giving 1 Cor. 1 6 :1 ,2ab; 2 Cor. 8:1-9 Pointers on the Lesson
S om e U se H addy had scraped, rinsed and stacked the dishes. “ C’mon, kiddoes, get your work done,” he called cheerily. With leaden feet and facial ex pressions which would lead the uninitiated to believe life’s greatest tragedy had just struck, the “ dish brigade” went to the kitchen. “No wonder Daddy looks so happy; he’s ready to leave the kitchen.” “Yea, he don’t have to do dishes,” commiserated six-year-old Kent. “ He doesn’t,” Mother corrected. “Well, anyway he don’t! When I grow up I’m gonna have 7 boys cause they don’t have to do dishes when they get David’s age. O, maybe I’d better have one girl to do the dishes,” he added as an aft erthought. “That’s a good idea or you may find yourself doing those dishes, Kent. By the way, have you two thanked Daddy for preparing the dishes? After all, he didn’t have to do it, you know.” “ Thanks, Daddy,” cam e the prompt, chorus. Then from out of the depths of the dish pan came a wee bit of eight-year-old wisdom. “Mama,” Sharon called into the living room where the newest Miller was coming in for his share of attention. “ You do get some use out of husbands, don’t you?” Sharon never received her an swer because after the laughter had subsided, the call of various activities divided the family. The echo of that laughter warmed Mother’s heart as she went about her evening’s work. If Sharon’s question was asked by God of His believing children, how would we answer? There could be no evasiveness nor straying from the truth in this answer since God reads the secrets of all men’s hearts. Does God “ get any use out of you,” Mother? To whom were you the more useful today, Dad, God or self? And you, son, daugh ter, were you useful to your Lord today?
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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