Quote the Savior's precept about laying up treasures. Matt. vi: 19, 20. What reason does he give for this precept? 21. [81] What assurance does he give in reference to all things needful for the body? 33. He says, (verse 25) "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat," etc.; what does he mean? Ans.--The Greek word rendered "take no thought," means "be not anxious;" and the meaning is that we are to be free from anxiety about these matters, trusting in God to bless our labors.

      What does Paul say about laboring to accumulate? Eph. iv: 28. Suppose that none of us had more property than merely to supply the bodily wants of our families, what would become of the poor? And what means would there be for spreading the gospel? Can we make money too fast, or make too much of it, if we use it for these purposes?

      Repeat what Paul says in regard to contentment in money matters. I Tim. vi: 6-8.

      How do you reconcile this with the idea of accumulating something to give away? Ans.--He here speaks of what we are to provide for ourselves, apart from what we give away. Does the teaching of this passage allow us to make provision for old age? Ans.--It certainly does, to the extent of insuring food and raiment when we shall no longer be able to work for it.

      What does Paul say about "those who will be rich?" I Tim. vi: 9, 10. What does he mean by "they who will be rich"? Ans.--"Will" here has the meaning of purpose or intention. The class described are those who, instead of being content with a competency, set their hearts on becoming rich. Why do such persons fall into the fearful evils which Paul here mentions? Ans.--For the reasons stated in the tenth verse, that [82] the love of money is the root (rather a root) of all evil, and these persons are given to the love of money.

      What charge does Paul give in the same chapter to the rich? 17-19. Were there, then, some rich persons in the church? What is the best way, according to this passage, for a rich person to provide for the time to come? 18. Is it a blessing or a curse to be rich, if we use wealth in this way?

      State what Jesus says about the difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom of God. Matt. xix: 23, 24. Does this mean that it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom? 26. Wherein lies the difficulty? Ans. We learn from the example of the rich young man (verses 21, 22) and from Mark x: 21, that is because they are apt to "trust in riches."

      How does Paul confound us to treat covetous members of of the church? I Cor. v: 11-13. Suppose that a man is able to give to the poor and to the support of the gospel, and will not do it, what is his character? In carrying out Paul's precept, who is to judge whether a man is covetous, the church or the man himself? If a man's brethren, then, think he is covetous, what ought he to think? Does any church give, on the average, more than it ought? If a man, then, gives less in proportion to his ability than the average of his brethren, does he give enough? What valid excuse can a church give for retaining covetous men in the membership?

[FBL 81-83]