April 25

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. - Galatians 6:10.

OBSERVE, First, That this command is founded on the authority of God; for who can read his word without reading the injunction-to “do good and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” “If a man love not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen.” “And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.”

Secondly, This command intimates to us the need we have of each other. There is no such thing as independence in our world; it is only ignorance and pride that lead people to affect anything like it. It is in the social body as it is in the natural body; there are many members, but there is only one body. “Ye,” says the Apostle, “are members, one of another.” The higher men rise the more dependent do they become; the rich owe more to the poor than the poor owe to them. The foundation of the social edifice is the lowest part, but then it sustains the whole. Let us learn how dependent we are, and how much others have done for us.

Thirdly, Obedience to this command is necessary to the enjoyment of the pleasures of beneficence. He who leaves his neighbour in hunger and wretchedness, while he has the means and opportunities of doing good, is just like a man who dies for thirst with a cup of nectar in his hand. In the same proportion as we are really benevolent will be our happiness; therefore our Lord said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” What luxury ever equalled that of Job, when he said, “The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.” Here is pure pleasure; durable pleasure; pleasure that will bear examination, bear review; pleasure that, like the rose, will yield perfume even after it is dead.

Fourthly, To induce in us a practical regard to this admonition, let us keep in mind that benevolence will not lose its reward. How often in his word does God press this as a motive upon us. It cannot, therefore, be wrong for us thus to regard it. “Cast thy bread upon the waters,” says the wise man, “and thou shalt find it after many days.” “The liberal soul deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand.” These are the declarations, the assurances of God, who is faithful and able to perform what he has promised; for all events are under his control, and all creatures at his disposal.

Fifthly, Let us refer to the example of Christ; and this motive is reserved for the last because it is the best. “Whatsoever we do in word or deed,” we are to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Our arguments, therefore, and our practice, must be Christian and evangelical. “Let this mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus.” We had no claims upon him; we were unworthy of the least of all his mercies, ill-deserving, hell-deserving creatures, and must have perished for ever. And what did his interposition on our behalf cost him? “For our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich.” “He gave his life a ransom for us.” “Therefore if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”