Riches increased by giving - Gouge - VIII

Required reading
Riches increased by giving by Thomas Gouge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue by reading up to the section beginning 'I have thus, in a few words, set forth some of the privileges of the ministers of the Gospel; partly for the comfort and consolation of many of them under the present misery and poverty which they suffer, rather than to sin against their consciences, and partly for the incitation of others to afford them that double honour which the Apostle calls for, 1 Tim 5:17.'

My summary
Today Gouge firstly answers an objection to giving: 'Some object on account of the great extent of their household, the number of their children, who must be provided for, and therefore they have little to give to works of charity.'  Gouge's reply is that such objections are only made by unsound Christians.

Then in the rest of the reading Gouge speaks about the need to provide for ministers of the gospel.  To encourage such provision, Gouge points out the care that ministers received in Scripture and the great benefit that ministers provide for society.

What grabbed me
As its near the end of the year I was just looking at my pay rise for next year, which for some reason I always feel a little guilty about receiving.  And so I was encouraged by Gouge's comments about providing for ministers.

I found particularly helpful Gouge's points about the way that ministers provide great benefit to society and therefore deserve material support: 'The practice of the skilful physician may tend to alleviate our sorrows, and remove the maladies of our bodies, but the useful labours of the pious minister of the Gospel, tends to stem the torrent of sin, which is the source of all our evils, and restores the souls of men to heavenly health and happiness.'

Such a worker is worthy of his wages.

Next week's reading
Continue by reading up to the section beginning 'Dear Reader, in the exercise of this Christian duty, however, it may be profitable to ask ourselves a few useful questions; namely, How, or in what manner must we perform this duty, that it may be acceptable and pleasing to God?'

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