Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 191

The Widow's Mites. "This poor widow hath cast in more than they all." Luke 21:3.

Free-Will Offerings

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Bringing Gifts To The Feast. "Bring an offering, and come into His courts." Ps. 96:8.

1. By what has G.o.d ordained that His work be sustained?

"t.i.thes and offerings." Mal. 3:8.

2. How are we told to come into His courts?

"_Bring an offering_, and come into His courts." Ps. 96:8.

NOTE.-Various offerings are mentioned in the Bible, such as thank-offerings, peace-offerings, sin-offerings, and trespa.s.s-offerings.

3. In celebrating the three annual feasts, what instruction did G.o.d give to His people anciently?

"Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto Me in the year.... And _none shall appear before Me empty_." Ex. 23:14, 15.

4. With what spirit would G.o.d have us give?

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for _G.o.d loveth a cheerful giver_." 2 Cor.

9:7.

5. On what condition did Paul say he would have a reward?

"If I do this thing _willingly_, I have a reward." 1 Cor. 9:17.

6. What has Christ said regarding giving?

"It is _more blessed to give than to receive_." Acts 20:35.

7. How does G.o.d regard the covetous man?

"The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, _whom the Lord abhorreth_." Ps. 10:3. See Ex. 18:21.

8. What warning did Christ give against covetousness?

"Take heed, and _beware of covetousness_: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15.

9. How, in the parable, did G.o.d regard the selfish rich man?

"But G.o.d said unto him, _Thou fool_, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"

Verse 20.

10. What application does Christ make of this parable?

"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward G.o.d." Verse 21. See 1 Tim. 6:7.

11. By what means can men lay up treasure in heaven?

"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." Luke 12:33. See 1 Tim. 6:7.

12. What charge was Timothy instructed to give the rich?

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living G.o.d, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; _that they do good_, _that they be rich in good works_, _ready to distribute_, _willing to communicate_; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

13. How does G.o.d regard such a course?

"But to do good and to communicate forget not: _for with such sacrifices G.o.d is well pleased_." Heb 13:16.

14. According to what rule should one give?

"_Every man shall give as he is able_, according to the blessing of the Lord thy G.o.d which He hath given thee." Deut. 16:17.

15. Upon what basis are gifts acceptable to G.o.d?

"For if there be first a willing mind, _it is accepted according to that a man hath_, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12.

16. What indicates where our hearts are?

"For _where your treasure is_, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34.

Hospitality

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Elijah And The Widow. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers." Heb.

13:2.

1. What do the Scriptures say concerning hospitality?

"_Use hospitality one to another_ without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of G.o.d." 1 Peter 4:9, 10. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; ... _distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality_." Rom. 12:10-13.