Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 163

"Be not therefore anxious, saying, _What shall we eat?_ or, _What shall we drink?_ or, _Wherewithal shall we be clothed?_ For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Matt. 6:31, 32, R. V.

NOTE.-"Live not in _careful suspense_." Luke 12:29, margin.

4. What evils befall those who are determined to be rich?

"But they that will be rich _fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful l.u.s.ts_, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have _erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows_." 1 Tim. 6:9, 10.

5. By what ill.u.s.trations did Christ teach contentment?

"_Consider the ravens_: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and G.o.d feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?... _Consider the lilies_ how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then G.o.d so clothe the gra.s.s, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Luke 12:24-28.

6. What lesson in contentment did Paul say he had learned?

"I have learned, _in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content_."

Phil. 4:11.

7. What ancient promise should lead to contentment?

"While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." Gen. 8:22.

8. Upon whom should we cast all our care?

"Casting all your care upon _Him_ [G.o.d]; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7.

NOTES.-"Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the philosopher's stone. If it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banis.h.i.+ng the desire for them. If it cannot remove the disquietudes arising from a man's mind, body, or fortune, it makes him easy under them."-_Addison._

A contented mind sees something good in everything,-fair weather in every wind, blessings in every storm.

"If we cannot get what we like, we should try to like what we get."

"There is no malady more severe than habitual discontent."-_Fleming._

"If you cannot frame your circ.u.mstances in accordance with your wishes, frame your will in harmony with your circ.u.mstances."-_Epictetus._

"A contented mind is a continual feast."

G.o.d holds the future in His hand.

O heart of mine, be still!

His love will plan the best for thee.

The best, or light or dark it be: Then rest ye in His will.

G.o.d holds the future in His hand, Why should I shrink or fear?

Through every dark and cloudy day- Yea, all along my pilgrim way- His love will bless and cheer.

G.o.d holds the future in His hand.

And I can trust His love.

The past declares His faithfulness; His eye will guide, His heart will bless Till I am safe above.

Cheerfulness

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Daughters Of Israel. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Prov.

17:22.

1. Before leaving His disciples, what did Jesus say to them?

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but _be of good cheer_; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

2. What were some of the cheering words He said to them?

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in G.o.d, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. _I go to prepare a place for you._ And if I go and prepare a place for you, _I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also_." John 14:1-3.

3. In what spirit should we serve the Lord?

"Serve the Lord with _gladness_: come before His presence with _singing_."

Ps. 100:2.

4. What is sown for the upright in heart?

"Light is sown for the righteous, and _gladness_ for the upright in heart." Ps. 97:11.

5. What effect has a merry heart?

"A merry heart _doeth good like a medicine_: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov. 17:22.

NOTE.-From this we may learn the influence which the mind has over the body. Cheerfulness is conducive to life and health; sorrow, care, anxiety, and worry tend to disease and death.

6. What effect do helpful, cheerful words have upon the heart?

"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but _a good word maketh it glad_." Prov. 12:25.

7. By what temporal blessings does G.o.d fill men's hearts with gladness?

"Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and _gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons_, filling our hearts with _food_ and _gladness_." Acts 14:17.