GIVE, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU;

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

AUGUST 14

 

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you;

 
The teacher of this precept has set us the example. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.”
 
In him also we see an illustration of the promise. “He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
 
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”
 
The precept is “GIVE.”
 
Be liberal.
 
Give to every good cause if you have the means.
 
Give from a good motive.
 
Give with a good end in view: as to discharge a necessary duty, or to promote the welfare of mankind, or to honour God.
 
Give by a good rule, according as God hath given you.
 
The promise is, “It shall be given you/”
 
Who is it that makes the promise?
 
He who can fulfil it, for he is rich.
 
He who will fulfil it, for he is good.
 
He who must fulfil it, for he is faithful.
 
The promise is made to every liberal soul.
 
The promise extends to body and soul, to time and eternity.
 
Its extent is “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”
 

If profit by the scope,

Diffuse thy alms about:

The worldling propers laying up,

The Christian, laying out.

 
James Smith