Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1911 — OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES

W -BIBLE STUDIESTOO MUCH MONEY— FREE-WILL OFFERINGS ONLY II Kings 12:1-16—April 23 'Then the people rejoiced, for they offered - willingly.”—l Chron. 29:9. SIXTEEN years passed after the incidents of our previous study and found King Joash in his twenty-third year. Already he had made suggestions to the priests respecting the repairs of the temple, which was considerably dilapidated, because the people were still halfhearted in the worship of Jehovah. The influence of the idolatry of surrounding nations was still upon them. Some of them still burned incense upon JJie altars of Baal. Priests Poor Business Men King Joash found that allowing the priests to collect the money and therewith to repair the temple showed no results. Not every good-hearted man

has e x ec u f ive ability. Tbe record does not tell that the priests were dishonest in the use of the money collected for their affairs. Nor does it say that t h e y spent the money unwisely. Possibly the p eop l e dhl not h a v e confi-

dence in the priests and did not give so freely on that account However, the King noted the fact that the temple continued to be dilapidated and called for the priests and said to tbem, “Why repair ye not the breaches of the temple?” The answer of the priests is not given, but tbe King’s mandate was. “Now, therefore, take no more money from your acquaintances.” The King passed over the matter as lightly and courteously as possible, without charging the priests with embezzlement or neglect. Church Begging Doing Harm. There is a lesson in this matter for us. The people like to see results. (1) They want to know that monies that are donated for benevolent purposes are not all absorbed for office expenses. (2) Voluntary offerings have the approval of both God and men, rather than offerings that are importuned, coaxed, begged, wheedled from saints and sinners. Everybody who gives to the Lord’s cause is advantaged thereby; he not only forwards a benevolent Cause, but stimulates and cultivates generosity in his own heart It was our Lord who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”— where the giving is willing and voluntary. Church begging is undoubtedly doing great harm. The remark has been made that the chief item of religion.-id some churches is begging for moneyprivate solicitation, and also public solicitation, by .the passing around of the collection box. Church fairs, church suppers, grab-bags, etc., etc., are still more reprehensible than the collection box and private solicitation. Some one has called such efforts the “milking of the goats.” The Lord’s people are supposed to be sheep; the world’s people, goats. Breaks In the Temple Wall Viewing the spiritual temple we perceive that, outwardly, as represented by the magnificent churches of metropolitan cities, nothing more could be desired than what is now enjoyed. Describing the Church conditions of our day, the Scriptures portray our condition under the figure of the Laodicean Church, thus: “1 know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; 1 would thou wert cold or hot. So, then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, 1 will spew thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest. lam

rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that tbc>u mayest be rich, and white raiment, that

thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve. that thou mayest see.” —Rev. 3:15-18. It is from the spiritual standpoint, therefore, that the temple of today needs to have repairs. Outwardly, the Church is rich; spiritually, she is poor. The majority of her educated, Including ministers, have abandoned all faith in the Bible as the Word of God. Yet they are not known as infidels, but by the less harsh term, “Higher Critics,” “Evolutionists.” The Duty of the Hour Noting, the spiritual impairment of the House of God, the Church, all who love the Lord and who worship Him should do their part, make their contribution, toward the improvement of these spiritual conditions. It is not to be left wholly in the bands of the clerical or priestly class. The people in general are to appreciate the situation and each delight to do his part in the rebuilding of the spiritual walls of Zion. Those spiritual walls consist of “the faith that was once delivered to the salnta.”

Donating monies for temple repairs.

Joash repairing the temple.