Be Rich in Good Deeds

Steven Dilla at The Park Forum:  Infinite Happiness

1 Timothy 6.17

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

 

*Editor’s Note: Today we hear the voice of Robert Murray M’Cheyne. (The Park Forum’s Scripture reading plan is based off his design.) In this sermon from 1848, M’Cheyne affirms our life in Christ as much as he rebukes our love for the world.

 

Infinite Happiness

By Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843)

 

We know very little of God; but we know that he is infinitely happy. You cannot add to his happiness, nor take from it. The Bible shows that his happiness mainly consists in giving, not in receiving:

1. His giving food to all creatures is very wonderful — not one sparrow is forgotten before God. 
2. He gives to the wicked: “He makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Just think for a moment how many thousands God feeds every day who blaspheme his name, and profane his Sabbaths.
3. But, most of all, he gave his own Son. Although he was emptying his own bosom, yet he would not keep back the gift. 

Now, some of you pray night and day to be made like God: If you will be like him, be like him in giving. It is God’s chief happiness, be like him in it. [And yet, you will object:]

 

My money is my own.

Christ might have said, My blood is my own, my life is my own; no man forces it from me: then where should we have been?

 

Would you have me give to wicked people, who will go and abuse it?

Christ might have said the same, with far greater truth. Christ knew that thousands would trample his blood under their feet; that most would despise it; that many would make it an excuse for sinning more; yet he gave his own blood.

 

God gives to wicked people, who go and abuse it; yet that does not diminish his happiness. God makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and pours down rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

Oh, my dear Christians! if you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy, and so will you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember his own word: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

 

*Abridged and language updated from Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s sermon, More Blessed To Give Than To Receive.