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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
with the donor of large means, in the sight of the Lord. Giving is to be controlled, literally, by the purpose of heart (v. 7). Many a Christian gives only because he has been stirred by some spectacle or speech setting forth the dire conditions under which some people are forced to live. But the Chris tian’s giving should be governed by the Christian’s relation to the Lord, irrespec tive of visible conditions. W e must train ourselves to look upon the needs o f the world through the Lord’s eyes and not ac cording to human speculation. The giving is to be done “bountifully” (v. 6), not because it is a duty, but because it is a delight to give. Here the emotions play a part, but they must always be regu lated by the purpose o f giving. The in vestor looks for returns, and the Christian may “give” as an investment, realizing that the returns from glad-hearted giving will be found at the judgment seat of Christ. Too much so-called Christian giv ing is that which gives under pressure and counts the gift to be forever gone. The giving is to be done cheerfully, not “grudgingly” (v. 7). Grudgingly means “out o f grief,” and cheerfully means “out o f merriment;” as from desire and delight. Having this spirit, the true steward will not wait to be asked, but with willing mind will present the gift as a sacrifice to the Lord o f glory. And the amount will be in keeping with what the Lord o f glory has bestowed, whether the Christian’s gift seems much or little in the sight of man. Thus the Christian steward will give to the Lord with faithfulness, fo r the Lord with wisdom, and like the Lord who “gave himself,” considering “the joy that was set before him.” Points and Problems 1. “Lest when thou hast eaten and art full . . . thou forget the Lord.” It is in structive to put together the above two extracts from verses 12 and 14 of Deuter onomy 8. W e are not in much danger when we are poor and empty, for in such times we need no thunderous voice to tell us that we need God’s help. The danger ous times come when we are full of material things. There is a definite con nection between spiritual and economic matters in a sinful world. But, strange to say, the connection is just the reverse of what men generally believe. W e must fill the stomachs of men first, we are told, before we can make real progress in lead ing the world to spiritual heights. But the Bible declares, and history confirms, that full stomachs are not a guarantee of spirit ual progress. 2. “And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might o f mine hand hath gotten me this wealth" (v. 17). This verse should be read with the emphasis on the pronouns “my" and “ mine.” It has been pointed out that the “self-made man” generally worships his own creator. This warning in Deuteronomy 8 was taken by our Lord and cast into an unforgettable BLACKBOARD LESSON HOW MANY STRINGS HAVE YOU TIED TO THAT WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN ?
JUNE 16, 193S CHRISTIAN STEWARDSH IP D euteronomy 8:11-20; M alachi 3:7-12; M atthew 25:14-30; 1 C orinthians 16:2; 2 C orinthians 8:1 to 9:15 Lesson T ext: Deut. 8:11-18; 2 Cor. 9:6-8.
Christians as well as for Israel. Christians, too, have been brought out of slavery, out of poverty, and out of death itself (cf. Eph. 2:1-3). And they, like Israel, are to “beware” lest they forget the Lord their God in the midst of the manifold blessings He bestows. II. T he S ource of W ealth (Deut. 8:15-18). The Lord had brought Israel through the wilderness and past the dangers of that way—a way in which there was neither water nor food. He had caused the people to drink o f water from the rock; He had fed them with manna from heaven; He had guarded them against all the pitfalls, seen and unseen. This He had done to “ prove” them and “to do thee good at thy latter end.” The blessings of the way were merely steps in fulfilling the main purpose of having people for His name. The danger was in their forgetting that the Lord alone was the source o f all they had. They would be tempted to think their own power and might had secured their posses sions, when the truth was that the acqui sition o f those possessions was not their concern. If the Lord did not work on Israel’s behalf, the people would continue in poverty and distress. They therefore were to continually remind themselves that it was the Lord alone who had given them power to secure their wealth. And the wealth was not given solely for their own enj oyment, but it was a trust bestowed upon them to be used for the Lord’s glory and purposes. This principle applies also to Christians of today. III. T he U se of W ealth (2 Cor. 9 :6-8). The purpose of the Christian’s giving is not so much for the Lord’s sake as it is for another purpose. God is not poor and dependent upon the gifts o f human beings. I f He had vital need of anything the Christian has, He would not have given it to the Christian in the first place. Neither is the purpose of the Christian’s giving mainly to support the work o f the Lord in the earth. It is His work, and He will not suffer His own work to be in jeopardy because o f the selfishness o f His people. But the purpose o f Christian giving is for the sake o f the Christian himself. When we, as the Lord’s children, engage in the grace o f giving, we come into close fel lowship with God who gave His Son, with Christ who gave Himself, and with the Holy Spirit who for nearly two thousand years has given His heavenly place, in order to be .with saints upon earth. Noth ing can take the place of Christian giving as a means o f bringing us into fellowship with the Lord. Wealth is a relative term. A man may be a poor man in the estimation of some individuals, while he is at the same time a rich man in the opinion o f others. Hence a Christian can give liberally, out o f his poverty, as well as out o f great riches. The dedicated five-cent piece o f the really poor man is as valuable in the sight of the Lord as the thousand-dollar check from the man of large means. The use of wealth does not touch at all the amount of money any Christian may possess. The Christian is to remember that, whatever he may have, small amount or large, he holds that sum as a trust from the Lord. This realization at once lifts the small amount to a place o f utmost importance and gives to the small giver an equal place
Golden T ext: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2 ).
Outline and Exposition I.
T he D anger of W ealth (Deut. 8:11-14). T he L ord cautioned His people, Israel, to “ beware” of forgetting Him when His grace allowed their material goods to increase. The people were constantly to remember from whence they had come, and what they had been. They had been poverty- stricken slaves in bondage to Egypt The Lord alone had brought them forth from that land qf slavery, had caused them to exchange their poverty for riches, and had set them free in their own land. “ Beware,” He said, “ lest. . . thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God.” This is a needed word for every generation of W E S T C O A S T G O S P E L SOLOI ST Available as Evangelist and Song Leader— Pastor’s Assistant Choir Director— Children’s Worker H E R B E R T A . F A R R A R , Jr. •* w a • |'r* Famous Paraguay Tea. Better for X C you than coffee, and Japan Tea. Healthful, economical and sustaining. A temper ance drink. The best known substitute for alcohol. It has saved South America from the scourge of drunkenness. Non-acid, good for young and old. Make and use fhe same as Japan Tea. Will you help us introduce it in the Ù.S.A. ? More than 25 million use it now. Send 25c for 4-oz, or $1 for 20-oz. Postpaid. Agents wanted. Pan American Tea Co., 1553 W. Jefferson, Los Angeles. THREE NEW 1935 PROPHECY BOOKS (Just Off the Press) “ TWENTY-TWO SHORT TALKS ON REVELATION” By EvangeUst Harry Black, Editor— “T H E PR O P H E T IC N E W S M A G A Z IN E ,” author of several books on Prophecy and nationally known evangelist. (In 3 Volumes— 32 Pages Each) Inspirational — Expository — Evangelistic Illuminating to the Believer, Convicting to the Un saved. Something in concise form on Revelation you have been wanting. Explains many of the difficult pas sages in Revelation. Price of each book...............35c $ 1 .0 0 COMBINATION OFFER The above three books, and one year’s subscription to the Prophetic News Magazine all for $1.00 sent to any address. (Add 10c postage.) $ 2 .0 0 COMBINATION OFFER The above three books “Twenty-two Talks on Reve lation” .......................................................$1.00 “ What About 1935, 1936 and 1937?......................35c “The Great Pyramid’s Prophecies, Past and Future 35c “U. 8. A., Russia, Britain and Germany in Bible Prophecy” ......................... 35c One Year’s Subscription to the Prophetic News Magazine all for ..........................................$1.75 441 “A ” ST., S A N T A ROSA, C A LIF . Services available on a Faith Basis
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