Ver. 24.-Religion and business. The apostle, in this and the connected chapters, is givin!! to the Corinthian Christians a variety of counsels respectin" the varic,us relationships of life which they were calle,l to sustain. The .,.ospel of Jesus Christ which brings its influence first to bear on the individual, next"'exerts its power on th; family and soc)al relati01!s; and w~ can wrll understand how, in those early days, a number of serious practical quest10ns would arise and <lenmnd consideration. One of these questions concerned the condition of servitude, serfdom, in which many of the early con,erts were place,!. The apostle points out that personal reli.,.ion is independent of calling or of social p,,sition. Whate,er our earthly lot may b~, we can be truly godly as we fulfil it; and ~t. Paul recommends that every one should continue in the business which he happened to be pursuing when the grace of God came to him pro,ided it was an honest and honourable business. His one counsel is that, whateve; may be their place or their work, they should therein abide with God, in fellowship with God, in obedience to the will of God, in openness to the leadings of the Spirit of God, and in reliance upon the daily strength of God. Regarding the text in this light, it may direct us to consider the pr:ictical influence of Christianity on a man's business .. We dwell on three points. 1. Religion is above business. 2. Religion comes into, business. 3. Religion must not be lost in business. I. RELIGION IS ABOVE BUSINESS. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" 1. Religion is above business in its churacter. Its interests arc different; its aims are different; its 11revailing spirit is different and nobler. It il' the heavenly occupation and the heavenly spirit. 2. Religion is above business in its demands. Business calls for the exercise of mind and skill; it asks the culture of our bodily powers-it develops skill of hand, promptness of judgment, keenness of insight, and perse,erance in effort. It goes even further than this, and calls out certain moral qualities, the more simple and natural qualities, such as honesty, integrity, diligence, and truthfulness. But religion demands more, even purity, unselfishness, a fine consideration for the well•being of others, rightness of motive, and the inspiration of a supreme purpose to glorify God. Bnsiness docs not touch the affections. Yet we aro only cold, grasping, self•sc~king creatures, if life and conduct arc not toned by affections; and the religion which purifies and nourishes our affections must be above business. 3. Religion is above business in its issues. Business results are a certain measure of worldly comfort in our home, a share of the pleasures which the world can afford, and a position of respect and influence among our fellow•men. What more than this can the most successful business bri □ g? It wins nothing that can go through the "great gates" with us. Its issues have rather to do with quantity than with quality; they- are bounded by life, and h:J.\'e no out-reachings into eternity. lleligion is above it, since" godliness bath both the promise of the lifo that now is, and of that which is to come." Religion shines down on common life all the golden rays that make the beauty of the present prospect, a □ d it assures us that all it can shed now are but a few scattered. rays of an "exceeding and eternal weight of glory," which will shine for ever on the "good and failhful servants." II. RELIGION co.MES DOWN INTO nusINESS. Because it is higher than business, it claims to take it up into its grasp and glorify it, breathing its own noble spirit into all business, relations. Some men do not hesitate to say that religion and business occupy separate spheres. Ward Beecher says," How hateful is that religion which says,' llusincss is business, and politics are politics, and religion is religion'! Religion is using everything for God. But many men dedicate business to the devil, and shove religion into the cracks and crevices of time, and make it the hypocritical outcrawling of their leisure and laziness." l. Religion comes into business as a new force, nourishing diligence. William Jay used to say that Christian tradesmen ought to be the best tradesmen, and• Christian servants should be lhe best servants, and he would sometimes quaintly add, <JB, vu. 1-40.J THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 2131
•• There's many a good woman who is not a "Ood wa.,her-woman." 2. Reli!rion comes ns a Divine help in bearing disappointment a;d loss. Many by the troubles ~f business life are made reckless and hartl. _It is a great thing that religion, in a world where "man is born to trouble," should help us to suffer well. 3. Religion comes into 'business to elevate our standards of honesty and uprightness. \Ve need not affirm that integrity is only connected with religion ; but we may fully admit that the hil7h standards are maintained by religion, and that it stands foremost among the forces th"at preserve business morality. 4. And religion coru~s into business as a spirit attempering business relations. It makes men more gentle, considerate, and gracious towards others: and elevates the tone of masterhood and servanlhood, establishing mutual helpfulness -as the ruling feature in all relationships. III. RELIGION MUS'l' NOT BE LOST IN BUSINESS. This it may be in two ways. 1. By excess of ambition and exertion preventing dne attention to religious duties and personal -cultme (see 2 Tim. ii. 4). 2. By the wealth-getting spirit spoiling the Christian spirit. Illustrate by our Lord's saying, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven! "-R. T.