where. It is edifying to notice the difference between the divine wisdom and the wisdom of men. As the proper motive to acts of benevolence is a desire for the happiness of others and a regard to the will of God, human wisdom says it is wrong to appeal to any selfish motive. The wisdom of God, while teaching the entire abnegation of self, and requiring a man even to hate his own life when in conflict with the glory of God, tells all who thus deny themselves that they thereby most effectually promote their own interests. He that loses his life shall save it. He that does not seek his own, shall best secure his own. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. There can, however, be no hypocrisy in this matter. It is not the man who pretends to deny himself, to humble himself, or to seek the good of others rather than his own, while he acts from a regard to self, who is to be thus rewarded. It is only those who sincerely postpone themselves to others, who shall be preferred before them. We may thence learn that it is right to present to men the divinely ordained consequences of their actions as motives to control their conduct. It is right to tell men that obedience to God, devotion to his glory and the good of others, will effectually promote their own welfare.
7. Every man according as he piu-posetli in liis heart, (so let him give ;) not grudgingly, or of necessi- ty : for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Though he wished them to giA^e bountifully, he desired them to do it freely. Let each one give as he purposes in his hearty i. e. as he cordially, or with the consent of the heart, determines. This stands opposed to what follows, and, there- fore, is explained by it. Not grudgingly^ U Xvirrjs, not out of sorrow ; i. e. let not the gift proceed out of a reluctant state of mind, grieving after what is given as so much lost. Or of necessity, i. e. constrained by circumstances to give, when you prefer not to do it. Many gifts are thus given sorrowfully, where the giver is induced to give by a regard to public opinion, or by stress of conscience. This reluctance spoils the gift. It loses all its fragrance when the incense of a free and joyful spirit is wanting. M)r God loveth a cheerful giv^r ; IXapov SoT-qv, a joyful giver, one to whom giving is a delight, who does it with hilarity. The passage is quoted from Pro v. 22, 9, where the Hebrew means, "A good eye shall be