S u n d a y S c h o o l
2. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver" (Eccl. 5:10). The viewpoint of the book of Eccle siastes is from “under the sun” . This phrase occurs 29 times in the book and nowhere else in the Scriptures. There are other similar phrases in Ecclesiastes. The book presents the reasonings of man with God left out of his thoughts. Even such thinking reaches the conclusion that “ silver” cannot satisfy the heart. Though he works incessantly to obtain it, man recognizes that it will not fulfill his desires. How much more should this truth be evident to the spiritual man whose eyes have been lifted above the sun where God dwells. Man is a spiritual being who can never be satisfied with material things. Com pare the story of the rich fool of Luke 12. 3. “Ye have heaped treasure to gether" (Jas. 5:3). God frowns upon this sort of thing. Treasure is not to be gathered for its own sake. It is to be used. As for the Christian, what ever of material possessions or spir itual blessings he has, God wants them to be used for the welfare and enjoyment of others. The Christian is always to be seeking ways by which he can impart his treasures to others. For the Children T he R ight U se of M oney (2 K i . 4:8-13; P rov . 16:8, 19; 20:11; 22:1, 2; E ccl . 5:13) M emory V erse : “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Prov. 20:11). Elisha, one of God’s great servants, often visited a town where a gen erous, godly woman lived. Each time that he was in this town, the woman and her husband asked him to have dinner with them in their home. One day the woman said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive [see] that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber [room], I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick.” When Elisha asked the woman what he T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
SEPTEMBER 7. 1947 EARNING AND SPENDING P rov . 11:24-27; 16:8; E ccl . 5:10,11; J as . 5:1-6
will be rusted, the riches corrupted, the garments moth-eaten, all of which will witness against the “wickedness" that obtained them, because the cries of those misused will reach the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. He is the One who will at last reward for good or ill all of man’s methods of gaining material wealth. This passage is a red stop light in the path of those desiring to obtain great riches.
Outline and Exposition T he G race of L iberality (P rov . 11:24-27; 16:8)
The “scattering” is not a purpose less strewing of good, but a carefully planned giving in order that suste nance may be provided for the needy (11:24, 25). Such giving will be re turned to the donor in large meas ure (Cf. Psa. 112:5, 9; Matt. 5:7.) On the other hand, hoarding wealth while people are in want is “mischief” and the hoarder will be rewarded with a curse instead of a blessing (11:26, 27). A little possessed with righteousness becomes a source of satisfaction, while great wealth obtained by injustice brings only unhappiness. T he V anity of M aterial W ealth (E ccl . 5:10,11) Wealth desired for its own sake can never satisfy because the more it increases the more the longing for it grows; that desire is never satis fied. Not only so, but the greater the wealth becomes, the more its burdens increase, and carrying such burdens becomes a hateful thing in stead of a satisfaction. The denial of these principles is merely a proof of the deceitfulness of riches. (Cf. Matt. 13:22; 1 Tim. 6 : 6 - 10 .) T he D anger of M aterial W ealth (J as . 5:1-6) Thete is no beatitude reading, “Blessed are ye poor, and cursed are ye rich.” Many good people are rich while many bad people are poor. But the point in this lesson is that wealth secured by unjust means brings only disaster. Securing riches by taking any unfair advantage of those who- cannot protect them selves is “wickedness.” The Lord, before whom the last accounting must be made, takes note of all injustice, and at long last the folly of amassing riches by improper means will be manifested. The gold Page Thirty-fix
Outline and Exposition B. B. S utcliffb Points and Problems H omer A. K ent For the Children A llison A rrowood
Lesson material is based upon outlines of Internation al Sunday School Lessons, copyrighted by the Interna tional Council of Religious Education; used by permis sion.
Points and Problems 1. “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that with- holdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty" (Prov. 11:24). A fundamental characteristic of Chris tianity is generosity. It is always on the giving hand. It can never be selfish. Christianity must forever be scattering its blessings for the wel fare of others. This pertains not only to material things but also to the Word of God and to all the benefits of the Christian life. The Christian who would be selfish in any respect is utterly unlike his Lord and cramps his own soul. “He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bounti fully” (2 Cor. 9:6). The reverse is also true, for he that fails to sow will be found lacking at the bema seat of Christ.
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