bread from heaven, and water from a rock ; he would make the ravens to bring them meat, or their barrel and cruse to supply them with an undiminished store. He has said that " the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever." What if we have not all that flesh and blood might desire ? shall we repine ? Surely we should say with the Apostle, " I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content5." We are like minors at present, and limited to the measure which our Father sees best for us : but in due time we shall receive the full inheritance. Shall persons so circumstanced give way to discontent? No : though poor as Lazarus, they should account themselves truly rich.]
2. Liberality to others —
[God condescends to acknowledge all that is given by us in charity as " lent to himself;" and he pledges himself to " repay it." He even prescribes the honouring of him with our first-fruits, as the means of securing to ourselves an abun- dant harvest, and of laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life h. We must not indeed suppose that our alms-deeds can merit any thing at the hand of God. Nevertheless, if they be a free-will offering, they are " an odour to him, and a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour." Let then the bounty of God to us, whether experienced or expected, be a motive for liberality to our fellow-creatures. And let us gladly of our abundance minister to their necessities, that God in all things may be glorified through Christ Jesus.]
3. Devotedness to God —
[Has God given himself to us as our God, and shall not we give ourselves to him as his people ? Does God grudge us no blessing which he can give, and shall we grudge him any service which we can render ? Are his powers the only limit to his exertions for us, and shall we know any other limit to our zeal for him ? Does he do such wonders for us for Christ's sake, and shall not we labour for Christ's sake to honour him ? Yes, " the love of Christ shall constrain us" to live for him, and the mercies of God to us be the measure of the services which we shall yield to him'.]
e ver. 12. " Prov. iii. 9, 10. with 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18.
1 Rom. xii. I.