August, 1937
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
313
G R A C E S A X E P o p u l a r B i b l e S t u d y
NO TES on Christian Endeavor By MARY G. SOODNER
For Individual and Class Use Booklet Prices POSTPAID
Studies in Genesis........................ 35c Studies in Exodus......................... 35c Studies in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy ............................. 35c Studies in Joshua, Judges and Ruth..35c Studies in I and M Samuel..............35c Studies in the Psalms.................... 35c Studies in the Major Prophets....... .35c Studies in the Life of Christ...........35c Studies in the Book of Luke...........35c Studies in the Book of Acts............ 35c Studies in Romans......................... 35c Studies in Hebrews.......................35c
SEPTEMBER 5, 1937 THE DIGNITY OF HONEST WORK 1 C orinthians 3:13, 14; E phesians 4:28; 2 T hessalonians 3 :10-13 Meditation on the Lesson An eminent educator has made this dec laration: “We have too many people who live without working, and we have alto gether too many people who work without living.” That this statement is true is evi denced in the present chaotic social and economic order. But our mission as Chris tians is not to change the existing condition by human planning and effort, but to dis cover the fundamental error and to see what God says must be done to rectify it. T o reiterate high-sounding phrases of “hon est, persistent, rewarding toil” will never motivate us with a desire to work, and to work honestly; there must be a more im pelling dynamic. The Book of Ephesians was written by Paul to instruct new Christians in the two phases of a believer’s life, the doctrinal and the practical; these two aspects of a new life in Christ are inseparable. The normal born-again individual reveals the regen erated soul within him by a godly conduct in daily, ordinary routine. Experience con trary to this is abnormal, and misrepresents the true life in Christ Jesus. The fruit trees in the springtime do not strive to exhibit the exquisite floral beauty which glorifies their once barren branches' their attractiveness is a natural result of the new life which irresistibly forces its way to the surface. Similarly, it is in view of the believer’s changed inner life that Paul says: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor.” God is dishonored by flagrant robbery or by subtle deceit; His Spirit constrains the redeemed soul to live above the standard of the world. Paul not only exhorted, but he exempli fied his teaching in practice. Although he was an evangelist and missionary, he made tents for a living, laboring with his own hands to support himself. Thus he could write to the Thessalonians: “Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you” (2 Thess. 3:8). Paul was will ing to make any sacrifice in order that no one might accuse him of being a “slacker” or a “parasite.” He devotes a large por tion of 1 Corinthians 9 to proving that the Christian minister has a right to “forbear working” (v. 6) and that he may receive material support from those to whom he brings the Word of God. Paul later exer cised this “ right” and accepted gifts from the Philippian church on certain occasions. But as far as the Corinthian church was
concerned, he would not risk being misun derstood, and he wrote: “ Nevertheless we have not used this power [R. V. ‘right’] ; . . . lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:12). Paul reveals by his example the Lord’s plan for every Christian in the matter of industriousness. Whether in Christian witness or in so-called “ secular” work, the great apostle ,desired to be thoroughly obedient to the Lord’s direction. He wished to be such a faithful workman in every relationship that no reproach should be brought upon the name of Christ. Are we willing to do absolutely any kind of work for Christ’s sake? Helps for the Leader I. W orks T h at A bide It is the incentive of future testing and reward that is to impel the believer to hon est, diligent labor in the work-a-day world. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Cor. 3:13). For the glory of the One who has saved him unto a life of holiness, the Christian is compelled to work that which is well-pleasing in His sight. The Chris tian is grieved when he brings dishonor upon the name of his blessed Lord. The fire of God shall one day burn up the chaff of sham and pretense, and only the pure gold of true works shall remain. No “works” that can endure God’s judg ment can ever be accomplished by an un believer. And in the case of the Chris tian, only the works performed in the power of the Holy Spirit will remain. Will any of us, as God’s children, “ suffer loss” be cause our work has not corresponded to our privilege and our responsibility in Christ? — S elected . II. How to G et U p E arly Let us not lazily ask God to do for us something that requires a simple act of choice on our part. In the Sunday School Times appeared the following illustration: “Adam Clarke, the well-known commen tator and theologian, was an early riser. A young preacher wanted the eminent minis ter to tell him how he managed to do it. ‘Do you pray about it?’ he asked. “ ‘No,’ was the reply, ‘I get up.’ ” III. A P attern of G ood W orks “ In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works” (Tit. 2:7). Paul holds forth God’s standard for service. And that standard is a perfect one, an absolutely complete standard in that it applies to all things. Is it not true that one of our greatest sources of failure in the Christian
When ordered in lots of 25 or more copies (one or assorted titles) 28 cents each, prepaid Bible Institute Colportage Association 810 N. Wells St. Chicago, III. H O T E L (Frances E .) W IL L A R D 536-40 SO. HOPE ST., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. Catering to Christian Trade MEN AND WOMEN North Wing—Bible Institute Reasonable Bates Write for descriptive folder A BOOK THAT W ILL HELP YOU. FOOD FACTS By MILDRED LAGER 243 pages o f authentic food information. Paper edition. $1.30; Cloth edition. $2.00 HOUSE OF BETTER LIVING 1207 West 6th Street. Los Angeles. Calif. Write for free catalog. MAI«« ™ mone Y Priced low as $3.90 for 100, with customer's name in scribed. No experience needed. Biggest profits. Steno earned $500 spar© time. Housewife $250 in few weeks. Student $480 evenings; clerk $75 in one week. Your op portunity just as good. Earn additional profits with 7 Big Value Assortments, 60c up. Free Sample Offer. Write today for details. JO H N A. HERTEL C O M P A N Y 305 West Adams St., Dept. 816, Chicago, 111. “ WHERE THERE IS NO VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH” Win the lost to Christ before too late. Mission and Gospel tract distribution center needed in Los Angeles. Funds and prayer will make this possible. Premillennial — Fundamental— Unde nominational. Rom. 10:13-15, Eccl. 11:6. If interested, write F. L. ROBERTSON—P. O. Box 5265 Metropolitan Station Los Angeles, Calif.
COMFORTABLE — CLEAN — INEXPENSIVE
SOUTHLAND HOTEL MRS. R. A. GREEN Proprietor
605 SOUTH FLOWER STREET LOS ANGELES, CALIF. One block west of Bible Institute Soliciting the business of particular Christians
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter