Riches increased by giving - Gouge - III

Required reading
Riches increased by giving by Thomas Gouge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'William Pennoyer, Esq. citizen and merchant of London, a person very eminent in acts of mercy and goodness, bounty and liberality, which he evinced in the whole course of his life, even from his first setting up in the world.'

My summary
Today Gouge continues to give examples to show that the least work of charity showed to a minister or righteous man, shall be abundantly recompensed, and that not only hereafter, but likewise here on earth.

But before proceeding with more examples, Gouge gives two cautions:
(i) Not to ascribe the reward to any merit of your good works, but only to the free grace and rich mercy of God;
(ii) Not to be generous merely out of hope of reward, but rather for conscience sake, in obedience to the command of God (who hath required them at our hands) and in testimony of our thankfulness unto him, for what he hath graciously bestowed on us.

Then he gives Scriptural examples of how God has blessed generous giving, including from the lives of:
(i) the widow of Sarepta with Elijah;
(ii) the Shunamite with Elisha;
(iii) Job;
(iv) Publius with Paul.

Next he gives further examples from outside the Bible, including from the lives of:
(i) St. Alban;
(ii) Constantine;
(iii) Tiberius the Second;
(iv) the Bishop of Millain;
(v) Mary, the wife of Alexander Fernese;
(vi) John Stewart, provost of Air in Scotland;
(vii) Daniel Waldow, Esq. citizen and mercer, who was chosen alderman of London;
(viii) John Walter, citizen and draper of London.

What grabbed me
I appreciated Gouge's two cautions, particularly the first one: 'Not to ascribe the reward to any merit of your good works, but only to the free grace and rich mercy of God. It is His rich mercy that we have wherewithal to give, and his free grace that we have a heart to give, and his abundant goodness that he accepteth our works of charity, and rewardeth them with all sorts of blessings, both temporal, spiritual and eternal; for we cannot merit any thing at his hands, by giving him that which is his own.'

If you are generous, it is because God is causing you to be generous.  And thus he deserves the glory, not you.

Next week's reading
Continue by reading up to the section beginning 'Thus have you the truth of this doctrine confirmed by Scripture, example, and reason.  We now come to the application.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.