Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 181

Out of my heart I sing a song, O world so great and grand!

But hearts are weak, and hands reach out For the touch of a kindly hand.

O song that I sing, I pray you bring To some sad soul thy balm; Fall soft, I pray, like the breath of May, Or the touch of a loving hand.

I sing for hearts that ache and break, I sing for hearts that are true; O world so vast, O world so wide, I sing my song for you!

PART XIV. CHRISTIAN SERVICE

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Good Samaritan. "When he saw him, he had compa.s.sion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds." Luke 10:33, 34.

The Gift Of Giving

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Abraham Offering Up Isaac. "G.o.d so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." John 3:16.

1. What example of giving has G.o.d given to the world?

"G.o.d 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 t.i.tus 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d_." 2 Cor. 1:4.

NOTE.-All who accept the gospel take upon themselves the obligation to pa.s.s its blessings on to others. In this way the work of salvation is extended. Every soul reclaimed from sin, G.o.d expects to join in the same work for others which lifted him up, and placed his feet upon the Rock. The good things of G.o.d 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 G.o.d'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 G.o.d 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 pa.s.sed 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d'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?

Pa.s.s it on; 'Twas not given for you alone.

Pa.s.s it on; Let it travel down the years, Let it wipe another's tears, Till in heaven the gift appears- Pa.s.s it on.

Preaching The Gospel