not obligatory on the rich to make themselves poor in order that the poor may be rich. That is not the rale.
14. But by an equality, (that) now at this time your abundance (may be a supply) for their want, that then- abundance also may be (a supply) for your want : that there may be equality.
The word Io-ottjs means here neither reciprocity nor equity, but equaUty, as the illustration in v. 15 shows. The e/c, as in T. 11, (cK Tov exetj/,) expresses the rule or standard m giving. That rule is equality ; we must give so as to produce, or that there may be, equality. This is not agrarianism, nor commu- nity of goods. The New Testament teaches on this subject, 1. That all giving is voluntary. A man's property is his own. It is in his own power to retain or to give away ; and if he gives, it is his prerogative to decide whether it shall be much or little. Acts 5, 4. This is the doctrine taught in this whole connection. Giving must be voluntary. It is the fruit of love. It is of course obligatory as a moral duty, and the in- disposition to give is proof of the absence of the love of God. 1 John 3, 17. Still it is one of those duties the performance of which others cannot enforce as a right belonging to them. It must remain at our own discretion. 2. That the end to be accomplished by giving is relieving the necessities of the poor. The equality, therefore, aimed at, or intended, is not an equality as to the amount of property, but equal relief from the burden of want. This is taught in the remainder of this verse. 'At the jDresent time,' says the apostle, 'let your abundance be to {yiv-qTat €ts, extend to, be imparted to, Gal. 3, 14,) their want, in order that their abundance may be to your Avant, that there may be equality ; ' that is, an equal relief from want or destitution. 3. A third scriptural princi- ple on this subject is, that while all men are brethren, and the poor as poor, whether Christians or not, are the proper objects of charity, yet there is a special obhgation resting on the members of Christ to relieve the wants of their fellow-believ- ers. We are to do good to all men, says the apostle, special- ly to those who are of the household of faith. Gal. 6, 10. All the directions in this and the following chapter have reference to the duty of Christians to their fellow-believers. There are two reasons for this. The one is the common relation of be-