The manner also of performing this duty is as strongly en- joined as the duty itself. We must act bountifully towards the poor, proportioning our alms to our own ability, and, as far as possible, to their necessities^ We must also administer relief cheerfully. Grudging and niggardly thoughts are apt to arise in our minds: but they proceed from a " wicked heart;" and must be guarded against with all possible circumspection11. Our alms are then only acceptable to God, when they are offered with a willing mind1.]
To call forth a just sense of our duty, let us con- sider,
II. The arguments with which it is enforced —
Waving all other arguments that might be adduced, we shall confine our attention to those specified in the text. There are two considerations urged as in- ducements to the performance of this duty :
1. The danger of neglecting it —
[Men are apt to think themselves sole proprietors of what they have; but, in fact, they are only God's stewards. The poor have, from God's command, a claim upon us ; and when their distresses are not relieved, he will hear their complaints. He expressly warns us that, " when they cry to him, it shall be sin to us." Our guilt contracted by want of liberality, shall surely be visited upon our own heads ; it shall bring upon us the execration of our fellow-creatures k, a dereliction from our God1, yea, an everlasting dismission from his presence and glory m- Who that reflects a moment on these conse- quences, will not " beware" of indulging a disposition that must infallibly entail them upon him ?]
2. The reward of practising it —
[Heaven cannot be purchased by almsgiving : and to think it could, would be a most fatal delusion. Nevertheless God has annexed a blessing to the performance of this duty ; " For this
xi. 41. ; on all individually, 1 Cor. xvi. 2. ; and in the most solemn manner, 1 Tim. vi. 17. " Charge,'" fyc.
s " Thou shalt open thine hand wide — lend him sufficient for his need." See true bountifulness defined, 2 Cor. viii. 12.; exemplified, 2 Cor. viii. 2. ; encouraged, 2 Cor. ix. 6.
h " Beware, fyc. — and thine eye he evil against thy poor brother — thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest," Sfc. See similar directions, Rom. xii. 8. 1 Tim. vi. 18. "Ready to distribute; willing to communicate."
1 2 Cor. ix. 7. k Prov. xxviii. 27.
1 Prov. xxi. 13. m Matt. xxv. 41 — 43. "For."