A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

In all good things. Not because he would have superfluous abundance heaped up without measure. but that nothing should be wanting to the necessary helps of life. For Ministers both ought to be content with a spare living, and also the danger of riot and pomp is always to be prevented. as much than as need doth require, let the faithful have all that is theirs ready for Godly and holy Teachers to serve their turn. for with what reward shall they recompense the inestimable treasure of everlasting life, which they obtain by their preaching.

In all good thinges. Not because he woulde haue superfluous aboundance heaped vp without measure. but that nothing should be wanting to the necessarie helpes of life. For Ministers both ought to be content with a spare liuing, and also the daunger of riot and pompe is alwayes to bee preuented. as much than as neede doth require, let the faythfull haue all that is theirs readye for Godlye and holye Teachers to serue their turne. for with what rewarde shall they recompence the inestimable treasure of euerlasting life, which they obtayne by their preaching.

7 God is not scorned.) He did put this too, to do away exercises wherewith many are wont to be turned away. one he lays that he must bring up his household, another he saith he hath nothing left to bestow or give away. so it falleth out that but few do their duty, and they for the most part are not enow, where so many beside are slack. Paul showeth that these excuses are but vain, because the matter toucheth or concerneth GOD: which the world thinks not. neither is here touched only the living of man, but how much Christ and his Gospel is esteemed of us. This place is a testimony ⟨p. 142⟩that the fashion of despising faithful Pastors began not first in these our days. but such despisinges shall not fall out scot-free to the wicked. For what a man soweth. That is to say, that which holdeth us back from liberality, because we think that that is quite gone from us that passeth into another bodies keeping: besides that because we be always afraid for our selves in this life, Paul on the contrary side doeth compare this life to the time of sowing, and saith, while we do well we make a seed season. whereof is spoken in the second to the Corinthians: where he did use the same similitude. I would this were throughly persuaded us, how willingly we should bestow our selves and our goods upon our neighbours, bent always upon the hope of Harvest: as husbandmen who do nothing with better will then sow (their Corn). But whereas they abide nine months with a patient mind, to gather in a corruptible Harvest: we in the waiting for blessed immortality do faint and shrink.