Bible Study from March 14th, 2020

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Bible Study Questions and Readings

Metaphysical Science teaches us there is no other Life, substance, and intelligence but God. How much are you demonstrating of this statement? Which of you hath the most actual substance, — wealth and fame, or Truth and Love? See to it, O Christian Scientists, ye who have named the name of Christ with a higher meaning, that you abide by your statements, and abound in Love and Truth, for unless you do this you are not demonstrating the Science of metaphysical healing. The immeasurable Life and Love will occupy your affections, come nearer your hearts and into your homes when you touch but the hem of Truth’s garment.

From Christian Healing  by Mary Baker Eddy, page 16

Topic: God loveth a cheerful giver.

Moderator: Betty from CA

Bible Readings: II Corinthians 8 and 9

Additional Reading:

Questions:

  1. Who is Paul writing to and who did he send to them and why?
  2. Why should we sow abundantly?
  3. Why should we be cheerful givers?
  4. What laws regarding substance and abundance is Paul talking about?
  5. What is God’s “unspeakable gift?”

Notes from the Discussion




He sent Titus, who had God-given love, commitment to truth, fervor in spreading the gospel and enthusiastic love for the church.

— from the Matthew Henry Commentary




Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, Thou preserve man and beast.

— from Psalm 36: 6 in the King James Bible




We have an abundant God.

— from Bible Study




Sowing is love expressed and being what God made.

— from Bible Study




Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design; whereas some do good only by accident.

— from the Matthew Henry Commentary, 2 Corinthians 9




Hoarding leads to unhappiness. It’s basis is a sense of lack and the world you see is not a reflection of God.

— from Bible Study




Learning God’s principles cleanses thought of carnal mind.

— from Bible Study




Sometimes it is an act of faith and love to give when you think you can’t.

— from Bible Study




We all have equal opportunity for God’s good.

— from Bible Study




People are craving to hear God’s word. Don’t withhold it.

— from Bible Study




Be patient and forgiving remembering the time God has given you to unwind your snarls.

— from Bible Study




Paul writes to the Corinthians about his gratitude for the fulness of Life expressed by the Macedonian churches in their abundant care for their fellow disciples in Jerusalem. Dummelow’s tells us that the Macedonian churches were very poor, so their bountiful giving in sharing what they had with other churches in need was especially lauded by Paul. (Dumm., 936) “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality [liberal outpouring of food and goods]. For to their power I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;…” (8: 2, 3) Life is the showing forth, the actual activity of living love, which is Life. Then that good which we give comes back to us by reflection. Those who love God love God’s manifestations. This is the reflection of God’s qualities towards others. A consciousness of abundance is always our true state of Mind. What we are conscious of, that we express and see expressed. Paul tells the Corinthians that the Macedonians “…first gave their own selves to the Lord,…” (8: 5) He writes in hopes the Corinthians will also do the same. (8: 7, 8) ​ Chapter 9 continues with the same theme. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (9: 6) What you accept mentally, you experience in kind. This is reflection. In metaphysics, where divine Science is understood, we give of our supply, our love, knowing well that it cannot be depleted but is reflected right back to us.

— from The Comforter Physics to Metaphysics by Yvonne Reus




Our motive in giving should be to prove God’s abundance.

— from Bible Study




Seeing what God has done in your life how can you not share it cheerfully.

— from Bible Study




The grace of God must be owned as the root and fountain of all the good that is in us, or done by us, at any time; and it is great grace and favour from God, and bestowed on us, if we are made useful to others, and are forward to any good work.”

— from the Matthew Henry Commentary




Cast your bread upon the waters, For thou will find it after many days.

— from Ecclesiastes 11: 1 in the King James Bible




God’s flow of love cannot be stopped.

— from Bible Study




Love all that you see and seel all as abundantly satisfied.

— from Bible Study




“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Someone described this text as an “eight‑word Christmas hymn.” Handel Brown called it “the theme‑song of Christianity.” It certainly strikes the keynote of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is significant that it is not a command; it is an exclamation, a spontaneous shout, a doxology. In one verse, Paul moves from the theology of giving to the doxology of grace.

I want to divide the verse into three parts: the Gracious Giver of the Gift, the Glorious Gift itself, and the Glad Gratitude with which we should respond to the Gift.

— Steve Tucker




It is the will of God that, by our mutually supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not an absolute equality indeed, or such a levelling as would destroy property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. But as in works of charity there should be an equitable proportion observed, that the burden should not lie too heavy on some, while others are wholly eased, so all should think themselves concerned to supply those who are in want

— from Matthew Henry Commentary, 2 Corinthians 8




God loveth a cheerful giver (v. 7), and what may not those hope to receive who are the objects of the divine love? Can a man be a loser by doing that with which God is pleased?

— from Matthew Henry Commentary, 2 Corinthians 9




Giving starts with recognizing God as the source to all good.

— from Bible Study




When you see God is all there is there anything that isn’t His unspeakable gift? When you go to bed remember to thank God for all that He has given you and all mankind.

— from Bible Study







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