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139:7.1 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew], the seventh [[apostle]], was chosen by [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]. Matthew belonged to a [[family]] of [[tax]] gatherers, or publicans, but was himself a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs customs] collector in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum], where he lived. He was thirty-one years old and [[married]] and had four [[children]]. He was a man of moderate [[wealth]], the only one of any means belonging to the apostolic corps. He was a good [[business]] man, a good social mixer, and was [[gifted]] with the [[ability]] to make [[friends]] and to get along smoothly with a great variety of people.

139:7.1 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew], the seventh [[apostle]], was chosen by [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]. Matthew belonged to a [[family]] of [[tax]] gatherers, or publicans, but was himself a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs customs] collector in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum], where he lived. He was thirty-one years old and [[married]] and had four [[children]]. He was a man of moderate [[wealth]], the only one of any means belonging to the apostolic corps. He was a good [[business]] man, a good social mixer, and was [[gifted]] with the [[ability]] to make [[friends]] and to get along smoothly with a great variety of people.

139:7.2 [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] appointed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] the financial [[representative]] of the [[apostles]]. In a way he was the fiscal [[agent]] and publicity spokesman for the apostolic [[organization]]. He was a keen [[judge]] of [[human]] [[nature]] and a very [[efficient]] [[propagandist]]. His is a [[personality]] difficult to [[visualize]], but he was a very [[earnest]] [[disciple]] and an increasing believer in the [[mission]] of [[Jesus]] and in the [[certainty]] of [[the kingdom]]. [[Jesus]] never gave Levi a nickname, but his fellow apostles commonly referred to him as the " [[money]]-getter. "

139:7.2 [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] appointed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] the financial [[representative]] of the [[apostles]]. In a way he was the fiscal [[agent]] and publicity spokesman for the apostolic [[organization]]. He was a keen [[judge]] of [[human]] [[nature]] and a very [[efficient]] [[propagandist]]. His is a [[personality]] difficult to [[visualize]], but he was a very [[earnest]] [[disciple]] and an increasing believer in the [[mission]] of [[Jesus]] and in the [[certainty]] of [[the kingdom]]. [[Jesus]] never gave Levi a nickname, but his fellow apostles commonly referred to him as the " [[money]]-getter. "

139:7.3 Levi's strong point was his wholehearted [[devotion]] to the [[cause]]. That he, a publican, had been taken in by [[Jesus]] and his [[apostles]] was the [[cause]] for overwhelming [[gratitude]] on the part of the former revenue collector. However, it required some little time for the rest of the [[apostles]], especially Simon Zelotes and [[Judas Iscariot]], to become [[reconciled]] to the publican's [[presence]] in their midst. Matthew's weakness was his shortsighted and [[materialistic]] [[viewpoint]] of life. But in all these matters he made great [[progress]] as the months went by. He, of course, had to be absent from many of the most precious [[seasons]] of instruction as it was his [[duty]] to keep the treasury replenished.

139:7.3 Levi's strong point was his wholehearted [[devotion]] to the [[cause]]. That he, a publican, had been taken in by [[Jesus]] and his [[apostles]] was the [[cause]] for overwhelming [[gratitude]] on the part of the former revenue collector. However, it required some little time for the rest of the [[apostles]], especially Simon Zelotes and [[Judas Iscariot]], to become [[reconciled]] to the publican's [[presence]] in their midst. Matthew's weakness was his shortsighted and [[materialistic]] [[viewpoint]] of life. But in all these matters he made great [[progress]] as the months went by. He, of course, had to be absent from many of the most precious [[seasons]] of instruction as it was his [[duty]] to keep the treasury replenished.

139:7.4 It was [[the Master]]'s [[forgiving]] disposition which Matthew most [[appreciated]]. He would never cease to recount that [[faith]] only was [[necessary]] in the [[business]] of finding [[God]]. He always liked to speak of [[the kingdom]] as " this [[business]] of finding [[God]]. "

139:7.4 It was [[the Master]]'s [[forgiving]] disposition which Matthew most [[appreciated]]. He would never cease to recount that [[faith]] only was [[necessary]] in the [[business]] of finding [[God]]. He always liked to speak of [[the kingdom]] as " this [[business]] of finding [[God]]. "

139:7.5 Though [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] was a man with a [[past]], he gave an excellent account of himself, and as time went on, his associates became [[proud]] of the publican's [[performance]]s. He was one of the [[apostles]] who made extensive notes on the sayings of [[Jesus]], and these notes were used as the basis of Isador's subsequent [[narrative]] of the sayings and doings of Jesus, which has become known as the [[Gospel according to Matthew]].

139:7.5 Though [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] was a man with a [[past]], he gave an excellent account of himself, and as time went on, his associates became [[proud]] of the publican's [[performance]]s. He was one of the [[apostles]] who made extensive notes on the sayings of [[Jesus]], and these notes were used as the basis of Isador's subsequent [[narrative]] of the sayings and doings of Jesus, which has become known as the [[Gospel according to Matthew]].

139:7.6 The great and useful life of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew], the [[business]] man and customs collector of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum], has been the means of leading thousands upon thousands of other business men, [[public]] officials, and [[politicians]], down through the subsequent ages, also to hear that [[engaging]] [[voice]] of [[the Master]] saying, " Follow me. " Matthew really was a shrewd [[politician]], but he was [[intensely]] [[loyal]] to [[Jesus]] and supremely [[devoted]] to the task of seeing that the [[messengers]] of the coming kingdom were adequately financed.

139:7.6 The great and useful life of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew], the [[business]] man and customs collector of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum Capernaum], has been the means of leading thousands upon thousands of other business men, [[public]] officials, and [[politicians]], down through the subsequent ages, also to hear that [[engaging]] [[voice]] of [[the Master]] saying, " Follow me. " Matthew really was a shrewd [[politician]], but he was [[intensely]] [[loyal]] to [[Jesus]] and supremely [[devoted]] to the task of seeing that the [[messengers]] of the coming kingdom were adequately financed.

139:7.7 The [[presence]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] among the twelve was the means of keeping the doors of [[the kingdom]] wide open to hosts of downhearted and outcast [[souls]] who had regarded themselves as long since without the bounds of [[religious]] consolation. Outcast and despairing [[men]] and [[women]] flocked to hear [[Jesus]], and he never turned one away.

139:7.7 The [[presence]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] among the twelve was the means of keeping the doors of [[the kingdom]] wide open to hosts of downhearted and outcast [[souls]] who had regarded themselves as long since without the bounds of [[religious]] consolation. Outcast and despairing [[men]] and [[women]] flocked to hear [[Jesus]], and he never turned one away.

139:7.8 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] received freely tendered offerings from believing [[disciples]] and the immediate auditors of [[the Master]]'s teachings, but he never openly solicited funds from the multitudes. He did all his [[financial]] [[work]] in a [[quiet]] and [[personal]] way and raised most of the [[money]] among the more substantial class of interested believers. He gave [[practically]] the whole of his modest fortune to the [[work]] of [[the Master]] and his [[apostles]], but they never knew of this [[generosity]], save [[Jesus]], who knew all about it. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] [[hesitated]] openly to contribute to the apostolic funds for [[fear]] that [[Jesus]] and his associates might regard his [[money]] as being tainted; so he gave much in the names of other believers. During the earlier months, when [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] knew his [[presence]] among them was more or less of a [[trial]], he was strongly tempted to let them know that his funds often supplied them with their daily bread, but he did not yield. When [[evidence]] of the disdain of the publican would become [[manifest]], Levi would burn to [[reveal]] to them his [[generosity]], but always he managed to keep still.

139:7.8 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] received freely tendered offerings from believing [[disciples]] and the immediate auditors of [[the Master]]'s teachings, but he never openly solicited funds from the multitudes. He did all his [[financial]] [[work]] in a [[quiet]] and [[personal]] way and raised most of the [[money]] among the more substantial class of interested believers. He gave [[practically]] the whole of his modest fortune to the [[work]] of [[the Master]] and his [[apostles]], but they never knew of this [[generosity]], save [[Jesus]], who knew all about it. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] [[hesitated]] openly to contribute to the apostolic funds for [[fear]] that [[Jesus]] and his associates might regard his [[money]] as being tainted; so he gave much in the names of other believers. During the earlier months, when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] knew his [[presence]] among them was more or less of a [[trial]], he was strongly tempted to let them know that his funds often supplied them with their daily bread, but he did not yield. When [[evidence]] of the disdain of the publican would become [[manifest]], Levi would burn to [[reveal]] to them his [[generosity]], but always he managed to keep still.

139:7.9 When the funds for the week were short of the estimated requirements, Levi would often draw heavily upon his own [[personal]] [[resources]]. Also, sometimes when he became greatly interested in [[Jesus]]' teaching, he preferred to remain and hear the instruction, even though he knew he must [[personally]] make up for his failure to solicit the [[necessary]] [[funds]]. But Levi did so [[wish]] that [[Jesus]] might know that much of the [[money]] came from his pocket! He little [[realized]] that [[the Master]] knew all about it. The [[apostles]] all died without knowing that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] was their [[benefactor]] to such an extent that, when he went forth to [[proclaim]] the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] after the beginning of the [[persecutions]], he was practically penniless.

139:7.9 When the funds for the week were short of the estimated requirements, Levi would often draw heavily upon his own [[personal]] [[resources]]. Also, sometimes when he became greatly interested in [[Jesus]]' teaching, he preferred to remain and hear the instruction, even though he knew he must [[personally]] make up for his failure to solicit the [[necessary]] [[funds]]. But Levi did so [[wish]] that [[Jesus]] might know that much of the [[money]] came from his pocket! He little [[realized]] that [[the Master]] knew all about it. The [[apostles]] all died without knowing that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] was their [[benefactor]] to such an extent that, when he went forth to [[proclaim]] the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] after the beginning of the [[persecutions]], he was practically penniless.

139:7.10 When these [[persecutions]] caused the believers to forsake [[Jerusalem]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] [[journeyed]] north, [[preaching]] the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] and [[baptizing]] believers. He was lost to the [[knowledge]] of his former apostolic associates, but on he went, [[preaching]] and [[baptizing]], through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria Syria], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia Cappadocia], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galatia Galatia], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bithynia Bithynia], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrace Thrace]. And it was in Thrace, at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysimachia_(Thrace) Lysimachia], that certain unbelieving [[Jews]] conspired with the Roman soldiers to encompass his [[death]]. And this regenerated publican died triumphant in the [[faith]] of a [[salvation]] he had so surely learned from the teachings of [[the Master]] during his recent [[sojourn]] on [[earth]].

139:7.10 When these [[persecutions]] caused the believers to forsake [[Jerusalem]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Matthew Matthew] [[journeyed]] north, [[preaching]] the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] and [[baptizing]] believers. He was lost to the [[knowledge]] of his former apostolic associates, but on he went, [[preaching]] and [[baptizing]], through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syria Syria], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia Cappadocia], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galatia Galatia], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bithynia Bithynia], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrace Thrace]. And it was in Thrace, at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysimachia_(Thrace) Lysimachia], that certain unbelieving [[Jews]] conspired with the Roman soldiers to encompass his [[death]]. And this regenerated publican died triumphant in the [[faith]] of a [[salvation]] he had so surely learned from the teachings of [[the Master]] during his recent [[sojourn]] on [[earth]].

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139 Go to Paper 139]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139 Go to Paper 139]</center>