6. You see then what it is, to _make yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness_, and by what means you may procure, _that when ye fail they may receive you into the everlasting habitations_. You see the nature and extent of truly Christian prudence, so far as it relates to the use of that great talent, money. _Gain all you can_, without hurting either yourself or your neighbour, in soul or body; by applying hereto with unintermitted diligence, and with all the understanding which God has given you. _Save all you can_, by cutting off every expence, which serves only to indulge foolish desire: to gratify either the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, or the pride of life. Waste nothing, living or dying, on sin or folly, whether for ♦yourself or your children. And then _Give all you can_, or in other words give all you have to God. Do not stint yourself, like a Jew rather than a Christian to this or that proportion. _Render unto_ God, not a tenth, not a third, not half; but _all that is_ God’s, be it more or less: by employing all, on yourself, your ♠houshold, the houshold of faith and all mankind, in such a manner, that you may give a good account of your stewardship, when ye can be no longer stewards: in such a manner as the oracles of God direct, both by general and particular precepts: in such a manner, that whatever ye do may be _a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour to_ God; and that every act may be rewarded in that day, when the Lord cometh with all his saints.
♦ removed unneeded word ‘your’
♠ ‘houshould’ replaced with ‘houshold’
7. Brethren, can we be either wise or faithful stewards, unless we thus manage our Lord’s goods? We cannot; as not only the oracles of God, but our own conscience beareth witness. Then why should we delay? Why should we confer any longer with flesh and blood, or men of the world? Our kingdom, our wisdom _is not of this world_: Heathen custom is nothing to us. We follow no men any farther, than they are followers of Christ. Hear ye him: yea, to-day, while it is called to-day, hear and obey his voice. At this hour and from this hour, do his will: fulfil his word, in this and in all things. I intreat you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, act up to the dignity of your calling. No more sloth! Whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do it with your might. No more waste! Cut off every expence which fashion, caprice, or flesh and blood demand. No more covetousness! But employ whatever God has intrusted you with, in doing good, all possible good, in every possible kind and degree, to the houshold of faith, to all men. This is no small part of _the wisdom of the just_: give all ye have, as well as all ye are, a spiritual sacrifice to him, who with-held not from you his Son, his only Son: so _laying up in store for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that ye may attain eternal life_.