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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
April, 1938
for full-time Christian workers, in the sense that we receive our sole livelihood in the Lord’s work, but the end of our employment, though the work be “ secular,” should be that of pleasing Christ. “ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:6). This promise applies most assuredly in the matter of vocations. Consult your Master regarding your life work; ask Him where He would have you invest your talents. All our gifts and charms of person, voice,; .or heart may be used in God’s service. An attractive woman may conse crate her graces to the service of the Master. A man of social tact and skill may follow Christ and become, through his gracious hospitality, a fisher of men. There is nothing bright and winsome in everyday life that may not fill the house with a richer fragrance when, like the broken box of alabaster, it is laid at the feet of the Lord.— G . B. F . H a ll o c k . II. J o h n W a n a m a k e r ’ s M ethod A minister described a visit he had with John Wanamaker, the wealthy merchant, years ago, when he came to Philadelphia to study Mr. Wanamaker’s great Sunday- school. He asked him the question, “ How do you get time to run a Sunday-school like this, with the business of your stores, your postmaster generalship, and all the other obligations of your life?” The other replied, “Why, my boy, the Sunday-school is my business. All the other things are just things. Fifty-five years ago I decided that God’s promise was sure, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.’ ” — The Sunday School Times. III. G u id a n c e in t h e L ife o f R u t h 1. Ruth needed work (Ruth 1:21). 2. She was willing to work. “ Let me now go to the field” (Ruth 2:2). 3. She trusted the Lord to lead her (Ruth 1:16, 17; 2:2). 4. She was willing to take a small place. “ She . . . glea’ned in the field after the reapers” (Ruth 2:3). 5. The outcome (Ruth 2:8; 4:13-17). —M. G. G. M AY 15, 1938 KEEPING OUR FRIENDSHIPS CHRISTIAN R omans 12:10-18 Meditation on the Lesson “ Friendship is the sweetest flower in all our hearts perfuming; Kindness keeps it growing, and love insures its blooming.” Friendship is one of God’s choicest gifts. Throughout the Bible the relationship of friend to friend is exalted and honored, and is used to express spiritual principles. For example, in Proverbs 17:17 we read: “A friend loveth at all times.” Most accurately this describes the Lord Jesus Christ, for Helps for the Leader I. U se of T a le n ts
what friend is as constant as He? Agaiii, Christ applied the beautiful term to us when He said: “ Ye.are my friends, if ye do what soever I command you” ,(John 15:14). In asking the question, “ Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” the prophet Amos gave expression to a basic consideration for the forming and cultivat ing of friendships. In order to have real joy in fellowship, friends must be agreed concerning the most vital necessity of life— that of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Master. Especially is this true concerning friendships between young men and young women, which are often climaxed by that most sacred of all human relationships, marriage. Tragic is the story of many a Christian young person who has been joined to a life companion who did not recognize the necessity of accepting Christ as Saviour, and of living accord ingly. Unhappiness can be expected if one of God’s basic laws is violated. In Romans 12:9 we read: “Let love be without dissimulation.” Again we are en joined in our Scripture lesson— which is taken from the “ C h ris tia n Endeavor Chapter”— to “ be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor pre ferring one another” (v. 10). “ Brotherly” : is a family term, and denotes our mutual privileges and responsibilities as children of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. If one’s friend is actually “ preferred” above one’s self, jealousy will not mar the beauty of friendship. Friendships can be kept Christian only as they draw upon the source of love and fellowship, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Consider Christ as your best Friend, and adjust your concourse with your friends in the light of His approval. Only thus can problems which arise in connection with the formation and strengthening of friend ships be solved. T h e B est F rien d Zinzendorf, when a boy, used to write little notes to the Saviour, and throw them out of the window hoping that He would find them. Later in life, so strong was his faith in the friendship of Christ and in his own need of that friendship as a daily solace, that once, when traveling, he sent back his companion, that he might converse more freely with the Lord, with whom he spoke audibly. So do we all need friendly converse with Him, our soul’s love. “ He alone is a thousand companions; He alone is a world of friends. That man never knew what it was to be familiar with God who complains of the want of friends when God is with him.”— A u stin P h e lps . II. C ostly Friendship is like a precious jewel. It may not be had for nothing, nor for little; he who would own it must bid self-will begone.— S elected . III. A T r u e F rien d When John Huss o f Bohemia was on his way to the stake, an old friend stood forth from the throng of onlookers, and without Helps for the Leader I. ‘
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