I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. 2 COR. 8: 1. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality: for to their power, (I bear record,) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with much entreaty, that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God: insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you, the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 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: and herein I give my advice. For this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which have. ye : 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. For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want that there may be equality as it is writ ten, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.-20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.-24. Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 9: 1. For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you for I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. this I say, He which soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudg ingly, or of necessity: But For God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor: His righteousness remaineth forever. Now, he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; while by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you, for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. GAL. 2: 10. Only they would that we remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. T PHIL. 2: 4. Look not every man on his own things; but every man also on the things of others. 1 TIM. 6: 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, 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. PHIL. 4: 10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding, ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only: for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever! Amen. HEB. 132. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 13: 16. To do good, and to communicate, forget not: for with such a sacrifice God is well pleas ed. JAMES 4: 17. Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doth it not, to him it is sin. DEUT. 14: 28. At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates; and the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. ¶ 1 PET. 4: 9. Use hospitality one toward another, without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. LUKE 12: 13. And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge, or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Ps. 10: 3. The wicked blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. ५ ISA. 57: 17. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him. JER. 6: 12. Their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields. For from the least of them unto the greatest, every one is given to covetousness. PROV. 28: 8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him who will pity the poor. MI. 21. Woe unto them.... they covet fields, and take them by violence. HAB. 2: 9. Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high. MAT. 7: 22. From within, out of the heart, proceed thefts, covetousThese defile the man. EccL. 5: 10. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; ness.... 1 neither he that loveth abundance, with increase. 1 TIM. 6 9. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and deceitful lusts, 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 sor rows. EPH. 5: 5. No covetous man hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 1 Cor. 6: 9. Neither thieves, nor covetous... shall inherit the kingdom of God. 5: 11. If any one that is called a brother, be... covetous, not to keep company with such an one, no not to eat. EPH. 53. Covetousness... let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. HEB. 13: 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness. § 3. LOVE. I. Love to God. DEUT. 10: 12. And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day, for thy good? 30: 15. I have set before thee this day life and good; death and evil; in that I command thee to love the LORD thy God. JOSH. 22 5. Take diligent heed to love the LORD your God. Ps. 91 14. Because he hath set his love upon me; therefore will I deliver him and honor him. 145 20. The LORD preserveth them that love him. ROM. 8: 28. All things work together for good to them that love God. 1 COR. 2: 9. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for those that love him. Evidence of Love to God. 1 JOHN 2: 5. Whoso keepeth God's word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. — 15. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 53. This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. JOHN 14: 15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.-21. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. 23. If a man love me, he will keep my words. 1 JOHN 4: 20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 2:15. If any man love'the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 3: 17. Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? Ps. 119: 97. O how I love thy law; it is my meditation all the day. - 113. I love thy law. - 119. I love thy testimonies. 127. I love thy commandiments above gold, yea above fine gold. 159. I love thy precepts.-165. Great peace have they which love thy law. JUDE 21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of the LORD Jesus Christ to eternal life. (See "Evidences of Piety.") II. Love to Christians. JOHN 13 34. A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another. As I have loved you, that ye also love one another. - 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ROM. 12: 9. Let love be without dissimulation. EPH. 5: 2. Walk in love, as Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us. PHIL. 1: 9. I pray that your love may abound more and more. HEB. 10: 24. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works. 13: 1. Let brotherly love continue. 1 JOHN 4: 20. If a man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from God, that he who loveth God, love his brother also. 1 PETER 1: 22. See that ye love one another, with a pure heart fervently. 2:17. Love the brotherhood. 1 JOHN 2: 10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 3: 11. This is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we love one another.-14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. - 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 4: 10. God loved us, and gave his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 21. This commandment we have of God, that we love one another. ROM. 5: 8. God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 8: 9. If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his. 12: 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, 1 THESS. 3: 12. The Lord make you to increase and abound in love, one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. 1 THESS. 4: 9. But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another: and indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia. But we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. How cultivated. HEB. 10: 24. Let us provoke one another to love and to good works. PROV. 17: 9. He that covereth a trangression seeketh love. 18: 24. A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. 1 JOHN 4: 19. We love him because he first loved us. Ps. 18: 1. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer. – 6. În my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. 31: 23. O love the LORD, all ye his saints; for the LORD preserveth the faithful. Fruits of Love. EPH. 4: 2. Forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. PHIL. 2: 2. Be like minded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ROM. 13: 8. Owe no man any thing but to love one another. He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness; thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. GAL. 5 13. By love serve one another. EPH. 4: 1. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called; with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.-15. Speaking the truth in love. (See Evidences of Piety.) III. Love to all Men. ISA. 2: 3. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people. And they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? and if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. T MAT. 5:9. Blessed are the peace makers; for they shall be called the children of God. 1 CHRON. 22: 6. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abun-ish with the sword. dantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever. 26: 51. And behold, one of them which were with Jesus, stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword, shall per MAT. 5: 39. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also: and if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee; and from him, that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away. Ye have heard that GEN. 45: 4. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. ROM. 12: 14. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the LORD. DEUT. 32: 35. 'Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him |