The great Duty of Charity recommended.
1 CORINTHIANS xiii. 8.
_Charity never faileth._
NOTHING is more valuable and commendable, and yet, not one duty is less practised, than that of charity. We often pretend concern and pity for the misery and distress of our fellow-creatures, but yet we seldom commiserate their condition so much as to relieve them according to our abilities; but unless we assist them with what they may stand in need of, for the body, as well as for the soul, all our wishes are no more than words of no value or regard, and are not to be esteemed or regarded: for when we hear of any deplorable circumstance, in which our fellow-creatures are involved, be they friends or enemies; it is our duty, as christians, to assist them to the utmost of our power.
Indeed, we are not, my brethren, to hurt ourselves or our families; this is not that charity which is so much recommended by St. _Paul_; no, but if we are any ways capable of relieving them without injuring either ourselves, or families, then it is our duty to do it; and this never faileth, where it proceeds from a right end, and with a right view.
St. _Paul_ had been shewing, in the preceding chapter, that spiritual gifts were divers; that GOD had disposed of one blessing to one, and another to another; and though there was a diversity of blessings, GOD did not bestow them to one person, but gave to one a blessing which he denied to another, and gave a blessing, or a gift to the other which might make him as eminent in one way, as the other’s gift made him so in another: but though there are these divers spiritual gifts, they are all given for some wise end, even to profit withal, and to that end they are thus diversly bestowed. We are not, on the one hand, to hide those gifts which GOD has given us: neither are we, on the other, to be so lavish of them, as to spend them upon our lusts and pleasures, to satisfy our sensual appetites, but they are to be used for the glory of GOD, and the good of immortal souls. After he had particularly illustrated this, he comes to shew, that all gifts, however great they may be in themselves, are of no value unless we have charity, as you may see particularly, by considering from the beginning of this chapter.
But before I go any further, I shall inform you what the apostle means by charity; and that is, LOVE; if there is true love, there will be charity; there will be an endeavour to assist, help, and relieve according to that ability wherewith GOD has blessed us: and, since this is so much recommended by the apostle, let us see how valuable this charity is, and how commendable in all those who pursue it. I shall,
I. Consider this blessing as relating to the bodies of men.
II. I shall shew how much more valuable it is, when relating to the souls of men.
III. Shall shew you when your charity is of the right kind.
IV. Why this charity, or the grace of love, never faileth.
V. Shall conclude all, with an exhortation to high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to be found in the constant practice of this valuable and commendable duty.
_First_, I shall consider this duty, as relating to the bodies of men. And,
1. O that the _rich_ would consider how praise-worthy this duty is, in helping their fellow-creatures! We were created to be a help to each other; GOD has made no one so independent as not to need the assistance of another; the richest and most powerful man upon the face of this earth, needs the help and assistance of those who are around him; and though he may be great to-day, a thousand accidents may make him as low to-morrow; he that is rolling in plenty to-day, may be in as much scarcity to-morrow. If our rich men would be more charitable to their poor friends and neighbours, it would be a means of recommending them to the favour of others, if Providence should frown upon them; but alas, our great men had much rather spend their money in a playhouse, at a ball, an assembly, or a masquerade, than relieve a poor distressed servant of JESUS CHRIST. They had rather spend their estates on their hawks and hounds, on their whores, and earthly, sensual, devilish pleasures, than comfort, nourish, or relieve one of their distressed fellow-creatures. What difference is there between the king on the throne, and the beggar on the dunghill, when GOD demands their breaths? There is no difference; my brethren, in the grave, nor will there be any at the day of judgment. You will not be excused because you have had a great estate, a fine house, and lived in all the pleasures that earth could afford you; no, these things will be one means of your condemnation; neither will you be judged according to the largeness of your estate, but according to the use you have made of it.