790. ISA 58:11, ISA 58:12. THE REWARDS OF BENEVOLENCE

Isa_58:11, Isa_58:12. The Rewards of Benevolence

"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: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be as a well-watered garden, and like a spring of water whose Waters fail not."’97Isa_58:11, Isa_58:12.

The Bible has one grand and peculiar character,’97it is the book of goodness; it everywhere recommends and extols the principle of benevolence; its two grand precepts are love to God and love to man. It never dispenses with either; it will allow of no enthroned idol. "Thou shalt love, &c., and him only shalt thou serve." And it will allow of no substitute for goodness or benevolence to man. Knowledge, gifts of tongues, and even faith without works is dead. Of all the striking exhibitions of the beauty and value of this cardinal quality, none can excel the one given by the evangelical prophet in the text, "If thou draw out thy soul," &c. Notice in the text,

I. The objects of benevolent regard.

These are described in two forms:

1. The hungry.

Those who have craving appetites, and no means to satisfy them. Such is indeed a pitiable condition, yet not by any means rare. Often occurring. Many, very many are called occasionally to feel it. Sometimes our fellow-creatures perish of it. This state, painful in itself, is often aggravated by surrounding plenty. It is difficult to hunger in time of famine; but where there is enough, what a temptation to steal. So thought Agur, Pro_30:8, Pro_30:9. The text directs us,

2. To the afflicted.

This is much worse than poverty alone. Health gone; strength gone; resources dried up; thrown upon the bed of languishing; wearisome days and nights, &c. What wretched scenes are often discovered; dismal apartments, comfortless beds, cold, miserable, &c. Oh, how many pallid distressing forms are there to be seen when the abodes of misery are explored. Often, too, this state is the reverse of their former condition in life. Often too, poor, friendless children have to suffer; and often there is a worse disease than that of the body,’97a guilty spirit, a defiled conscience, and dreadful fears of a future state. Dwell upon such objects of misery. Think that it may be your lot, and then you will appreciate the next division of our subject, viz.,

II. The nature of benevolent regards. "Now, we are to exercise,

1. Tender compassion and sympathy.

"Draw out thy soul." Not be heedless and careless of such; not neglect; not bo callous; but "Draw out thy soul." Investigate, inquire, excite our best feelings, cherish soft and benevolent passions; annihilate selfishness; crucify self; labor after generosity, and true charity. In all this we are to be active. Not wait for opportunities of doing good. Now, there may be many things having a tendency to close our hearts. The improvidence of the poor, and ingratitude; cases of imposition. But, we must not forget how miserable we should be if God gave us our deserts, &c. To this we must add,

2. Kind and suitable aid.

We must "satisfy the hungry," &c. Not profess to feel, and leave them to starve, or pine away; but give them help, &c. Sympathy without this is mockery. God deems it an insult to himself, and to his image, which man bears.

(1.) It is also obvious our assistance must be in proportion to our means.

(2.) It should be timely,’97in season.

(3.) It should be with kindness of manner.

(4.) With prayer for God’s blessing to accompany it.

(5.) From purity of motive,’97not for show and ostentation; but out of love, &c., to the glory of God. Notice,

III. The rewards of benevolent attention to the poor and afflicted.

1. It shall be followed by a dignified reputation.

"Then shall thy light," &c. No title or distinction equal to that of goodness. What is valor? or learning? knowledge? or even righteousness? or equity of life? A good man is the highest style, &c. "For a good man some would even dare to die," &c. Such,

2. Shall have the gracious guidance of God.

"And the Lord shall guide them," &c. How necessary is this,’97how desirable,’97how preeminently precious, to have the providential interpositions of God, and the guiding influences of the Spirit. Guide them rightly and graciously to the end, even to a city of habitation.

3. They shall have internal happiness and satisfaction.

When others are lean and comfortless, they shall be prosperous and happy. "The blessing of God maketh rich," &c. Their goodness shall return, and bless their own souls, especially when afflicted, Psa_41:1-3.

3. They shall have abundant spiritual prosperity.

"Like a watered garden,"’97green, fertile, fruitful, fragrant. And this shall be perpetuated. Comforts, &c., shall not fail God is the fountain; and as such, he never changes, &c., &c. Now this reward is often the consolation of the benevolent in this life. It was Job’s solace, &c., in his adversity, &c., Job_29:11-16.

5. The full recompense shall be given at the last day.

Christ says, that those who provide for the poor, the halt, the blind, &c., shall be blessed, and be recompensed at the resurrection of the just, Luk_14:14. At the last, Christ shall deem it as done to himself. "I was imprisoned," &c.

Application

1. Put not benevolence in the place of experimental piety. It is the first, &c. Yet,

2. That is not genuine which does not produce benevolence.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS