Bridges on Proverbs 28:27
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:27
 
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27.  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
 
‘There is none that desireth want [lack], nor that wisheth to be poor. And therefore the carnally-minded, to save themselves from it, carefully gather together, and enclose so much wealth as they can by any means possible; and they think that by such means they shall avoid lack. And indeed after man's judgment, it is the best way that a man can take. But the Holy Ghost doth teach us another means, clean contrary to natural reason. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack. This is against reason, which saith, that we must gather and hold fast to avoid poverty. She looketh not to what God can and will do. She is blind in the works of the Lord, and chiefly in those that he worketh according to his free promise.'†
However close we may hold our substance, who can give security against coming want? But this promise gives a security that no earthly abundance can afford. Covetousness indeed combines with reason to contradict the word of God. Yet the promise is given by him who hath full power to make it good; who has a thousand ways of repaying what is done or sacrificed at his command. (Psalm 24:1.) The fruit is absolutely certain, ‘as the best preventive against poverty, putting money into the bank of heaven, which can never forfeit credit.’† The best securities on earth will not hinder “riches from making to themselves wings, and flying away.” (Chapter 23:5.) But when have the promises of heaven ever been falsified?† Yet after all, with the carnal mind, covetousness prevails above faith, and a “trust in uncertain riches makes the living God a liar.”†
Do we, the professed followers of Christ, lay these truths really to heart, testing our own principles and practice by them, and honestly intending to take them, instead of selfish prudence and expediency, as our rule and measure of conduct? Most honorable is it to the Christian profession, and a sure seal of blessing upon our family, when we forbear to plead family claims as an excuse for contracting our liberality. Again and again does God ratify this engagement.† Yet many who are “earnest in contending for the faith” of the Gospel, and who would resist at any cost the invasion of heresy — we fear — would be ashamed to expose the scanty limits of their liberality.
Did we really believe the promise annexed to this duty, we should not so often hide our eyes from a case of distress. Yet not only do we neglect to look out for objects of compassion, but actually we turn away from them, as the servant of God would turn away from sin;† and then justify ourselves on the ground of frequent imposition, and the many worthy objects, which may or may not come before us. Many a curse is entailed upon this grudging spirit, both from God and man.† And is there no danger here of the everlasting curse?† Ponder it well — lest prudence and discrimination check the glow of charity, prove a cloak for selfishness, and obscure the light of Christian benevolence and love, which ought to shine before men in the profession of the true servants of God.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Cope in loco.
 
 
Psalm 24:1
1 ¶ {A Psalm of David.} The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
 
 
Footnote:
Lawson in loco.
 
 
Proverbs 23:5
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. {set...: Heb. cause thine eyes to fly upon}
 
 
Footnote:
Numbers 23:19. 2 Corinthians 1:20.
 
 
Numbers 23:19
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
 
2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us
 
 
Footnote:
1 Timothy 6:17. 1 John 5:10.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:17
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; {uncertain...: Gr. uncertainty of riches}
 
1 John 5:10
10 ¶ He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
 
 
Footnote:
Job 31:1, with Genesis 39:10.
 
 
Job 31:1
1 ¶ I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
 
with
Genesis 39:10
10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 11:26. 1 Samuel 25:17, 25, 26, 38.
 
 
Proverbs 11:26
26 ¶ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
 
1 Samuel 25:17, 25, 26, 38
17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. 25 Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. {regard: Heb. lay it to his heart} {Nabal: that is, Fool} 26 Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. {avenging...: Heb. saving thyself} 38 And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 25:41-45. James 2:13; 5:1-4.
 
 
Matthew 25:41-45
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
 
James 2:13
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. {rejoiceth: or, glorieth}
 
James 5:1-4
1 ¶ Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. {sabaoth: Heb. hosts}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 3:9, 10;  11:24, 25;  13:7;  14:22;  19:17;  22:9.  Deuteronomy 15:7-10;  Psalm 41:1-3;  112:5-9, with 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.  Ecclesiastes 11:1.  Isaiah 32:8; 58:7-11.  Matthew 5:7.  Luke 6:38. Observe the glowing exuberance of this last promise — Not only “shall it be given you” — but good measure — justly proportioned to the exercise of love — pressed down — to secure it as full measure — shaken together — as with corn, that it may lie closer in its place — and as if this were not enough — running over — without bounds — given into your bosom — so that you shall taste the large indulgence of the blessing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 3:9, 10.
9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
 
 
Proverbs 11:24, 25
24 ¶ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 ¶ The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. {liberal...: Heb. soul of blessing}
 
 
Proverbs 13:7
7 ¶ There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
 
 
Proverbs 14:22
22 ¶ Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
 
 
Proverbs 19:17
17 ¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. {that which...: or, his deed}
 
 
Proverbs 22:9
9 ¶ He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. {He that...: Heb. Good of eye}
 
 
Deuteronomy 15:7-10
7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. 9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. {thought: Heb. word} {wicked: Heb. Belial} 10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
 
 
Psalm 41:1-3
1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. {the poor: or, the weak, or, sick} {in time...: Heb. in the day of evil} 2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. {thou...: or, do not thou deliver} 3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. {make: Heb. turn}
 
 
Psalm 112:5-9
5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. {discretion: Heb. judgment} 6 ¶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
 
with
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
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 remaineth 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. {bountifulness: or, liberality: Gr. simplicity}
 
 
Ecclesiastes 11:1
1 ¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. {upon...: Heb. upon the face of the waters}
 
 
Isaiah 32:8
8 But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand. {stand: or, be established}
 
Isaiah 58:7-11
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? {cast...: or, afflicted} 8 ¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. {be...: Heb. gather thee up} 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. {drought: Heb. droughts} {fail: Heb. lie, or, deceive}
 
 
Matthew 5:7
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
 
 
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.