Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 170

11. By what means was the psalmist made wiser than his enemies?

"Thou _through Thy commandments_ hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me." Ps. 119:98.

12. Why did his understanding excel that of his teachers?

"I have more understanding than all my teachers: _for Thy testimonies are my meditation_." Verse 99.

13. What effect does wisdom have upon the countenance?

"A man's wisdom maketh his face to _s.h.i.+ne_." Eccl. 8:1.

14. In what did Christ say the children of this world excel the children of light?

"For the children of this world are in their generation _wiser_ than the children of light." Luke 16:8.

NOTE.-That is, they show more prudence, more cunning, and more intelligence about their business than do Christians concerning the things of G.o.d's kingdom. "They show more skill, study more plans, contrive more ways, to provide for themselves than the children of light do to promote the interests of religion."-_Dr.

Albert Barnes._

15. In what did the apostle say he would have us wise, and in what simple?

"I would have you _wise unto that which is good_, and _simple concerning evil_." Rom. 16:19.

16. How many kinds of wisdom are there?

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not _the wisdom of this world_.... But we speak _the wisdom of G.o.d_ in a mystery, even _the hidden wisdom, which G.o.d ordained before the world unto our glory_."

1 Cor. 2:6, 7.

17. How is worldly wisdom regarded by G.o.d?

"For the wisdom of this world is _foolishness_ with G.o.d." 1 Cor. 3:19.

18. What is the character of that wisdom which comes from G.o.d?

"But the wisdom that is from above is first _pure_, then _peaceable_, _gentle_, and _easy to be entreated_, _full of mercy and good fruits_, _without partiality_, _and without hypocrisy_." James 3:17.

19. What wisdom are the Scriptures able to give?

"And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee _wise unto salvation_ through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15.

Broad is the road that leads to death, And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shows a narrow path, With here and there a traveler.

Deny thyself, and take thy cross, Is thy Redeemer's great command; Nature must count her gold but dross, If she would gain that heavenly land.

The fearful soul that tries and faints, And walks the ways of G.o.d no more, Is but esteemed almost a saint, And makes his own destruction sure.

ISAAC WATTS.

Diligence

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Reading G.o.d's Word. "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:10.

1. What general command has G.o.d given concerning labor?

"Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work." Ex. 20:9.

2. Instead of living upon the earnings of others, what instruction is given?

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather _let him labor, working with his hands_ the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Eph. 4:28.

3. What general rule does Paul lay down upon this subject?

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that _if any would not work, neither should he eat_." 2 Thess. 3:10.

4. In what language does he condemn idleness?

"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, _working not at all_, but are busybodies. Now them that are such _we command and exhort_ by our Lord Jesus Christ, _that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread_." Verses 11, 12.

5. What example did the apostle himself set in this matter?

"Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but _wrought with labor and travail night and day_, that we might not be chargeable to any of you." Verse 8.

6. What labor was appointed man in consequence of the fall?

"_In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread_, till thou return unto the ground." Gen. 3:19.

NOTE.-A life of laborious and perpetual toil, in a world cursed with weeds, thorns, and thistles, was appointed to man in consequence of the entrance of sin. This was a part of the curse.

And yet even this was appointed in love, and, under existing circ.u.mstances, is a blessing in disguise. It was a discipline rendered necessary because of sin, to place a check upon the indulgence of appet.i.te and pa.s.sion, to develop habits of industry and self-control, and to teach lessons on overcoming evil. Were not man called to labor thus, his sins and miseries would be multiplied manyfold.

7. What are some of the results of industry?

"He that tilleth his land _shall have plenty of bread_." Prov. 28:19. "The hand of the diligent _maketh rich_." Prov. 10:4. "The soul of the diligent shall be _made fat_." Prov. 13:4.

8. What results from slackness and indolence in business?

"He _becometh poor_ that dealeth with a slack hand." Prov. 10:4. "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and _hath nothing_." Prov. 13:4.