Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And this is the cause why men snatch and scratch to themselves on all sides and cannot be satisfied, but the more they have the more is their covetous desire inflamed, as he which is sick of the dropsy, the more he drinketh the more he thirsteth. And what is the cause hereof? Even our devilish unbelief and distrustfulness in that we consider not that it is Gods own office to nourish us. And whereas we ask of him every day our daily bread, there is not one among an hundred which understandeth what is meant by that word: for we desire to be fed at Gods hands. The rich use this form of prayer aswell as the poor; and confess thereby that they so possess their goods, as if God gave them a portion every day for their nourishment, and that that whatsoever they have in their garner, they do receive it at his hand. But none thinketh hereon. And that is the cause why men are so insatiable, and burn with such covetousness, that they are always raking to themselves, and making up huge heaps of wealth, and are never contented. Will we then live contentedly? Let us have our recourse unto God, knowing that if he bless us, we shall have sufficient wherewithal to be sustained and nourished. To this intent therefore is this promise set down here, that God will bless them which are no such niggards towards the poor, but that they suffer and permit them to be someway relieved by gleaning and gathering the small fruit which is left behind. And so as often as we are moved to do any alms, let us call this warning to mind and correct our niggardliness thereby, which proceedeth (as I told you) from this distrust of ours, that we consider not that it is God which must provide for us.

And this is the cause why men snatche and scratche to themselues on all sides and cannot bee satisfied, but the more they haue the more is their couetous desire inflamed, as hee which is sicke of the dropsie, the more hee drinketh the more hee thyrsteth. And what is the cause hereof? Euen our diuelish vnbeleefe and distrustfulnesse in that wee consider not that it is Gods owne office to nourish vs. And whereas wee aske of him euery day our dayly bread, there is not one among an hundred which vnderstandeth what is meant by that worde: for wee desire to be fedde at Gods handes. The riche vse this fourme of prayer aswell as the poore; and confesse thereby that they so possesse their goods, as if God gaue them a portion euery daye for their nourishment, and that that whatsoeuer they haue in their garner, they doe receiue it at his hande. But none thinketh hereon. And that is the cause why men are so insatiable, and burne with such couetousnesse, that they are alwayes raking to themselues, and making vp huge heapes of wealth, and are neuer contented. Will wee then liue contentedly? Let vs haue our recourse vnto God, knowing that if hee blesse vs, wee shall haue sufficient wherewithall to bee sustayned and nourished. To this intent therefore is this promise set downe here, that God wil blesse them which are no such niggardes towardes the poore, but that they suffer and permit them to bee someway releeued by gleaning and gathering the small frute which is left behinde. And so as often as wee are moued to doe any almes, let vs call this warning to mynde and correct our niggardlinesse thereby, which proceedeth (as I tolde you) from this distrust of ours, that wee consider not that it is God which must prouide for vs.