4G forbid wise provision for the future needs of one’s household (1 Tim. 5:8). Moth and, rust doth consume. Much o f the wealth of orientals was in costly gar ments, easily consumed by moths. Rust. Any kind of erosion or corrosion of val uables. The word “consume” is liter ally, cause to vanish away or disappear. Break through. Literally, dig through. The mud walls o f the poorer houses were easily penetrated (Matt. 24:43). V. 20. Treasure in heaven. For illus tration of the meaning o f this see the stories o f the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-22) and the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-12). Investment of life, talents and possessions with Christ, makes one eter nally rich. V. 21. Where your treasure is. When the heart is fixed on earthly goods, the fool’s philosophy of life is chosen: “ Take thine ease, eat, drink and he merry," and the fool’s fate follows (Luke 12:19-21). IV. Freedom from Care (25-34). V. 31. Therefore be not anxious. “ Therefore” looks back to verse 25. If birds are fed (vs. 25-27) and lilies are clothed (vs. 28-30), children will not be neglected or forgotten. V. 32. Gentiles. There are three ref erences to the conduct o f pagans in the Sermon on the Mount: (1) Their friend liness toward their friends (5 :47) ; (2). their vain repetitions in prayer ( 6 : 7 ) ; (3) their anxiety about food, drink and clothing ( 6 :32): Seek. Literally, earnest ly seek or ask. The Gentiles’ prayers are limited to asking for material things; the same tendency is seen in every false re ligion. Only Christianity rises higher. Your Father knoweth. The heathen have no father; you have. The gods of the heathen have no knowledge of their need; your Father knows, V. 33. Seek ye first. Put first things first. That does not mean, seek the king dom first and then seek material goods; but, seek the kingdom and leave the rest in God’s hands. Shall be added. That is, He will give necessary food and cloth ing. * * * L esson Q uestions V. 5. Whose example in prayer is to be avoided? What is the meaning of the word “hypocrite” as used here? Where do hypocrites love to pray? Why? What reward have they? V. 6 . Where are disciples to go when they pray? (A. R. V .) What is meant by the expression “shut thy door” ? To whom should we pray in secret? Is He willing to heed our requests (cf. 7:11)? How will He reward true prayer (cf. Matt. 7 :7; 1 John 5:14; Eph. 3:20)? V. 7. What other wrong kind of pray ing is forbidden ? What is meant by “vain repetitions” ? Who were guilty of this error in praying? What examples of such mistaken ideas of prayer can we find today? Are short prayers often nec essary (cf. Matt. 14:30)? Is importunity in prayer to be condemned (Luke 18 :l- 8 ) ? V. 8 . Do not "Gentiles” know God as Father? How may we be sure He is our Father (John 1:12; 6:37)? When does our Father know our need? Why, then, must we pray? V. 9. May unbelievers address God as Father (John 8:44; Eph. 2:3)? Should we always put God’s interests before our own? What does the first petition mean?
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
January 1930
own things and the things that are Jesus Christ’s (Phil. 2:19-21). 9. In the prayer taught by Jesus, we learn to come to God as children, as wor shipers, as heirs, as servants, as beggars for bread, as sinners, and as helpless saints needing protection. 10. Anxiety about temporal needs is to be expected of the heathen, but is in excusable in a Christian. 11. Center every desire upon God and His treasures—the heart’s affections (v. 21) ; the mind (v. 23) ; the will (v. 24). 12. Note the contrasts: Two persons, self and God; two spheres, earth and heaven; two kinds of treasures, perishable and insecure, imperishable and secure. Golden Text: “ Seek ye first his king dom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). * * * G olden T ext I llustration When a young man made an open pro fession of the Gospel, his father, greatly offended, gave him this advice: “James, you should first get yourself established in a good trade, and then think of and de termine about religion.” “Father,” said the son, “Christ advises me differently; He says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God.’ ”— From “ The Biblical Museum / ' by Gray. * * * Being True to Jesus Matt. 6:5-15. Memory Verse: “ If Jehovah be God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:2b). Prayer. Approach. —How many of you boys and girls have a chum? How happy you are when just you and your chum are to gether ! You like to talk with each other,
FRED S. SHEPARD ’S BLACKBOARD OUTLINES
P RAYER RECEPTS RINCIPLES First things first.—Matt. 6:33.
V. 10. Has God’s kingdom come? When will it fully come (Rev. 11:15) ? How far can we answer the prayer, "Thy will be done” ? Will God’s will ever be as fully done on earth as it is in heaven? V. 11. What is the fourth petition? Whose wants are secondary to God’s in terests? Is it right to ask for daily food if we do not honestly pray, "Thy will be done” ? How much food should we ask for? V. 12. What is the next prayer that concerns our interests ? What are “debts” ? Who are “debtors” ? What will be the effect on our plea, “Forgive us,” if we refuse to “forgive our debtors” ? V. 13. What is the next prayer for our interests ? Does God permit men to be tempted? For what purpose? Does the evil one tempt? For what purpose? How may we escape from his power (1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 6:11, 12; 1 Pet. 5:8)? V. 19. Where may we not lay up treas ure? Does this forbid laying up money for the benefit of others (1 Tim. 5 : 8 ) ? What may happen to treasures on earth? V. 20. Where may we safely lay up treasures? Why? How can we lay up treasures in heaven (John 15:16; 2 Cor. 4:17, 18; Rom. 8:18) ? V. 21. Upon what should we set our affections (Col. 3:1)? If we have no treasures in heaven, will we desire to go there (Phil. 1:23)? V. 3l. About what things must we not be anxious ? Is it ever necessary for a child of God to be anxious (Phil. 4:6, R. V. ) ? V. 32. What two reasons for not be ing anxious are given? What is meant by “ these things"? V. 33. What should be put first? What will result if we obey this rule? * * * P ractical P oints 1. There is a vast difference between an actor and a doer; between stage play and real prayer. 2; To love the approval of men (v. 5; cf. 23 : 6 , 7) is to lose the approval of God, and ultimately to be scorned of men. 3. Stated places and hours for prayer are of value, but be prepared to pray whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit prompts. 4. Two rules for prayer: Be isolated with God, “ be silent unto God." Let God have the first and the last word. 5. When we are persuaded that our Father knows our need, prayers will often be •short but faith must always be long. 6 . The prayer, "Thy will be done,” qwakens a sense of shortcoming and prompts the cry, "Forgive us our debts.” 7. It is not sinful to shrink from trial. Heroic faith which rejoices in trial is acquired by long discipline. 8 . "Things” are wonderfully attractive. There are two classes o f “ things" —our
and you are always happy when doing the things that will please your friend; but better than any earthly friend is Jesus, who loves to be the very best friend of each of you. (Review.) In our story for today, Jesus is still
on the mountain with the disciples and the crowds o f people that are gathered around Him. He is still speaking to them and they aré all eager to hear. Can you not see them there on the grassy hillside? At this time Jesus is speaking to them about prayer. Most of you talk to your heavenly Father at night in prayer, do you not? These people were used to praying, but their prayers were not pleas ing to God. They would say long prayers, standing in the streets, so that people would see them and think that they were very good. Jesus told them that this was not the way for real Christians to pray. Real prayer should come from the heart and should be directed to God, and not to the people round about. He told them to go apart and talk alone to their Father. You know how you like to be alone with your best friend, to talk with him or her; so
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