LESSON VII.—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1893.
1. Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; 2. How that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3. For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, 4. Beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints; 5. And this, not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. 6. Inasmuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also. 7. But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. 9. 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 become rich. 10. And herein I give my judgment; for this is expedient for you, who were the first to make a beginning a year ago, not only to do, but also to will. 11. But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability. 12. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according to he hath not. Golden Text: "He became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." Verse 9. 1. What does the apostle make known to the Corinthian church? Verse 1. 2. How did their liberality compare with their poverty? Verse 2. 3. To what extent did they give? Verse 3. 4. Of what did they entreat the apostles? Verse 4. 5. What led these believers to give so liberally? Verse 5. 6. What was the apostles' desire regarding Titus? Verse 6. 7. In what did the Corinthian church abound? Verse 7. 8. What complementary grace were they enjoined to practice? Verse 7. 9. Did Paul thus advise by way of commandment or by exhortation? Verse 8. 10. What occasion prompted him to thus write to the Corinthians? Verse 8, second clause. 11. In so doing, what did he prove?—Id., last clause. 12. What great example did he set before them? Verse 9. 13. Why did Christ do all this? 14. How long before had the Corinthian brethren made a beginning in giving? Verse 10. 15. To what does Paul exhort them in verse 11? 16. What should accompany their readiness to will? 17. In giving, what is first required? Verse 12. 18. How does God then accept the gift?