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XIV.
Christian Service
Chapter 149
:
The Gift of Giving
1. WHAT example of
giving has God given to the world?
"God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." John 3:16.
2. By what were
Abraham's faith and devotion tested?
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried,
offered up Isaac; and he that had
received the promises offered up his only
begotten son." Heb. 11:17.
3. What did Christ do
to redeem us?
"Who gave Himself for our
sins." Gal. 1:4. See also Titus 2:14; 1 Tim.
2:6.
4. Why did He lay aside
His riches and become poor?
"For ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet
for your sakes He became poor, that ye through
His poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9.
5. After Abraham was
blessed, what was he to be?
"I will bless thee, . . . and thou
shalt be a blessing." Gen. 12:2.
6. As Christ sent out
His disciples to preach, to heal the sick, and
to raise the dead, what did He say to them?
"Freely ye have received, freely
give." Matt. 10:8.
7. Why does God comfort
us in our troubles?
"Who comforteth us in all our
tribulation; that we may be
able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God." 2 Cor. 1:4.
NOTE.-All who accept the gospel take upon
themselves the obligation to pass its
blessings on to others. In this way the work
of salvation is extended. Every soul
reclaimed from sin, God expects to join in
the same work for others which lifted him
up, and placed his feet upon the Rock. The
good things of God are not to be selfishly
kept to ourselves. We receive to give. Says
Whittier, "The soul is lost that's saved
alone." And as love prompted God's great
gift, so His love in our hearts will prompt
us to give, to minister, and to engage in
loving service for the welfare and the
happiness of others.
8. What did Christ say
of the blessedness of giving?
"I have showed you all things, how
that so laboring ye ought to support the weak,
and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how
He said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive." Acts 20:35.
NOTE.-The government of God is founded on
the principle of benevolence, or the desire
to bless others. Our richest blessings come
as the result of the good things we have
passed on to our fellow men.
"The
quality of mercy is not strained,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath; it is twice blessed-
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
9. For what was Christ
anointed by the Holy Spirit?
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon
Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to
preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath
sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to
proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening of the prison to them that are bound."
Isa. 61:1. See Luke 4:18.
NOTE.-The Holy Spirit is given to fit God's
children for service.
10. After being thus
anointed, what did Jesus do?
"Who went about doing good."
Acts 10:38.
HAVE
you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on;
'Twas not given for you alone.
Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears,
Till in heaven the gift appears-
Pass it on. |
