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'''Fellowship In The Gospel''' by J.T. Dickson

"Ministering to the saints ; or fellowship in the gospel was looked upon by the early Christians as a great privilege, and was a mark of the grace of God. Acts 1 1 shows us an assembly flourishing at Antioch; it is very interesting to notice it is persecuted saints from Jerusalem who carry the message of grace to that city; and it is written: ''The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord''.  verse 21.  To this company the ministry of Barnabas and Saul for a whole year encouraged them to cleave unto the Lord.

But while enjoying these hallowed scenes a new situation arises by the arrival of prophets from Jerusalem which signifies by the spirit there shall be great dearth throughout all the world — a depression far reaching in its effects was sure to come. This opens a new channel through which the grace of God can be seen in action. Instead of causing these young believers to grow faint as such a dark outlook is brought before them; it gave them deep exercise of heart, resulting in a determined effort to send relief to the brethren of Judea.

Years roll by, the gospel has crossed into Europe; and in Macedonia there are churches of saints who are in great trial, affliction and poverty. Nevertheless their liberality abounds over every difficulty and the abundance of their joy is seen, as with much intreaty they urge the apostles to receive the gift and take upon them the fellowship of ministering to the saints.

That such ministry might be encouraged 2 Corinthians, chapter 8 and 9 are filled with exhortations and illustrations on this great subject. Many of these examples are drawn from nature, as: ''He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully.''  Therefore there is a reaping for our sowing in this matter as in every other thing. From the days of law another illustration is drawn. ''He that gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered little had no lack.''  Above all these the example of the blessed Lord is also used, ''Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich.''

Thus, whether it is caring for the poor among the people of God or having fellowship in the Gospel as seen in Philippians, where a gift was an odour, of a sweet smell, a sacrifice, acceptable, well pleasing to God, the Saints of God have opportunity of rising to a high privilege. ''As a man purposeth in his heart so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver.''