Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

grow."scription."stater.'Thatgame."spirituality."spirituality."come."expression."spirituality."Two Little WordsRev. Wilbur J. McBurneyThe review of Dr. Williams COMMENTARY ONPAUL'S EPISTLES that appeared in the WITNESS(July 28), reminds us that even a great scholar likeDr. Williams, while painstakingly accurate in alarge field, should be careful about adding to Christ'swords in what may seem a small matter.Dr. Williams, in his Translation of the NewTestament, adds two words to Christ's direction toPeter, as recorded in Matt. 17 :27. The added wordsare, "in it." Moffat, Weymouth, and Goodspeed alladd the same two words. They have a right to express their opinions, but not to add to Christ's wordsin a translation.John Knox and Matthew Henry believed thatPeter found the coin in the fish's mouth. So also,more than a score of commentators and sermonizersthat we have found. Fausset and Brown's CriticalCommentary says that Christ did not say where thecoin would be found. That is quite plain when we examine the text.Christ's direction to Peter strongly implied thathe was to find the money in the usual way, by selling the fish. Peter, having caught the fish, was toprepare it for market by removing the hook. Thiswas done by opening its mouth. Everyone who hascaught his second fish knows that. Christ directedPeter to follow the usual procedure up to the point ofsale. No suggestion that he was not to get his moneyin the usual way, by selling the fish.When we consider the methods by which Christcould have provided the coin in the fish's mouth, twoare suggested; either that a lost coin was used, orthat Christ created the money.It could not have been a lost coin. A lost coin belongs to the owner, who lost it. "Finders Keepers" ?Not according to law. But what if the owner cannotbe found ? That does not change the ownership. According to English law, which we follow closely,Treasure Trove belongs to the Crown.A preacher discribed enthusiastically the Lord'smiraculous power shown in His knowing where thecoin was lost, and in His ability to send the fish toget the coin, and Peter to get the fish. Wouldn'tChrist know also the owner who lost the coin? Hecould not violate civil and moral law by using sucha coin.The Assistant Librarian in the ParliamentaryLibrary in Ottawa knew his Bible, and believed inthe miracles. He said immediately that Christ couldnot use a lost coin. He said that Christ created it. Isaid, "Counterfeited it?" He said "Oh no. He couldnot do that. But you see, the 'Piece of Money' wasfor tribute,one-half shekel each for himself andPeter. The shekel was not a coin. It was a measureof weight. For tribute, it was a shekel's weight ofsilver. In creating the silver, Christ added to thewealth of society just as He does when He makes thefruit I said, "But in this case, instead of whatChrist saidhas been translated 'A piece of money',was a coin with a superdefinitely, 'AMy friend said, "No, to create that wouldbe counterfeiting. Christ could not violate a justlaw."184To suggest that Christ directed Peter in a dis-honest practice is a great mistake. When Paul saidhe "Could do all things," he used a word that limited"all"to a limited field. Christ cannot do "all things"in the unlimited field. God cannot lie. Christ couldfeed the multitude, heal the sick, raise the dead. Hecould not be dishonest.If the Miracle of the Tribute Money had beenweighed by the Eighth Commandment, it should nothave been misunderstood.If the Eighth Commandment had been studiedand accepted by men and by the world, men and theworld would not be in so much trouble today.Tither's CornerWhich Comes FirstYou know the old controversy about which camefirst the chicken or the egg. On the matter ofChristian giving a similar question arises. Shouldwe stress the matter of giving in our churches?Some say, yes because it is a vital part of the Gospelmessage. Others say, no build up the spiritual lifeand the giving will take care of itself. Make thetree good and fruit will follow.The third recommendation of the Forward Movement secretary's report in 1921 was : "That we holdbefore the people the ideal of stewardship of thewhole life, of which the tithe is but oneThis precipitated an interesting discussionwhich was reported later in the Christian Nation.Here are a few quotations :"Rev. M. K. Carson said the Budget was constantly before their congregation but their dependence was on"Dr. J. S. Thompson thought they could not beseparated, but we must place our dependence on alife."deep spiritual"Elder James McAteer quoted Scripture as tothe indisoluble relation of tithing and"Rev. R. C. Reed spoke of an outside churchthat had great financial success, but after communion the boys went off to a Sunday base-ball"Rev. G. M. Robb believed we could have generosity without"Elder C. N. Pullinger believed we are now getting down to the root of the matter. When the heartis right the money willSo the discussion went on. The resolution wasadopted.If you agree with that recommendation of 33years ago would you infer that the tithe need notbe preached in our churches ? Will we just talk aboutstewardship in general without explaning the dutiesrequired of a steward? Shall we preach on the decalogue without emphasizing separatelyeach one ofthe Ten Commandments?We come far short of our duty as ministers if wesimply urge our people to support the budget without informing them of the various causes that comprise it. So while it is true that our whole life isa stewardship we believe that the payment of thetithe is a part which needs to be emphasized againand again. "My people are destroyed for lack ofknowledge"(Hos. 4:16).Can we preach a full Gospel and leave that out?Stewardship CommitteeD. H. E.COVENANTER WITNESS