conscious of their sin, and are resisting the
pleading voice that comes to them, who at the last will open their eyes
upon the realities of their lives, and in a wild passion of remorse,
exclaim: 'I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.' Better to
make thorough work of the sorrow, and by it to be led to repentance
toward God and faith in Christ, and so secure for our own that salvation
for which no man will ever regret having given even the whole world,
since he gains his own soul.

GIVING AND ASKING

'Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace
of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2.
How that in a great trial of affliction the
abundance of their joy and their deep poverty
abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond
their power they were willing of themselves; 4.
Praying us with much entreaty that we would
receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship
of the ministering to the saints. 5. And this they
did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own
selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of
God: 6. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he
had begun, so he would also finish in you the same
grace also. 7. Therefore, as ye abound in every
thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and
in all diligence, and in your love to us; see that
ye abound in this grace also. 8. I speak not by
commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of
others, and to prove the sincerity 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 be
rich. 10. And herein I give my advice: for this is
expedient for you, who have begun before, not only
to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11. Now
therefore perform the doing of it; that as there
was a readiness to will, so there may be a
performance also out of that which ye have. 12.
For if there be first a willing mind, it is
accepted according to that a man hath, and not
according to that he hath not.'--2 COR. viii.
1-12.

A collection from Gentile churches