July 3

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the poor his righteousness re-maneth for ever

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only suppheth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgiving unto God;

13 While by the experiment of this ministeration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men.

14 And to their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

God delights in what flows liberally from a loving heart.

"God gives us what we have, not so much that we may have it, but that we may do good. Everything in life, even the best-earned rewards, are seeds sown for a future harvest"—Bengel.

It was verse 8 which induced Francke to build the Orphan's House at Halle. In order to procure means to assist the poor of Halle, Francke placed a charity-box at the door of his own house inscribed with 1 John iii. 17 and 2 Cor. ix. 7. One day (about Easter, 1695) on opening this box he found a sum so much larger than he had before been able to devote at one time to works of charity that he resolved immediately to found a free school for poor children.

"God can bestow upon us abundantly, not only the grace which makes us rejoice in the Lord, and so prepares us to give with joyful hearts (chap. viii. 2), but the grace which bestows on us that abundance of earthly blessings and that prosperity which enables us to give so liberally."—Besser.

There is "always an all-sufficiency in all things" for God's children who give bountifully and cheerfully.

Closet Promise.—Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.—Psalm cii. 4.

It is just as easy to cultivate the acquaintance of our mercies as of our miseries, and it is a great deal pleasanter for your enjoyment, just as it is much more pleasant to be introduced to friends than to enemies.

Oh, that we could always think of God as we do of a friend, as of One who loves us even more than the best of our friends—aye, who loves us better than we love ourselves!