A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

9. Give them not for their carnal advancement in the world that part of your estate which is due to God. You owe it all to him: and in the disposing of it, he hath limited you to begin at home, & provide so for your children that they may have their daily bread, and so much more as they are in likelihood the fittest stewards to improve for God. But if you see the public state of the Church or Commonweal to stand in need of your assistance, and you shall then give almost all to your children to make them rich and great in the world, and put off the works of greater moment with some poor inconsiderable alms or Legacy, this is to prefer self before the Lord; even as it is imagined to survive in your progeny, even when natural self can no longer enjoy it. It's a wonder, how so many men seeming holy and devoted to God, can quiet their consciences in such a palpable sin as this. If one of them have two hundred, or three hundred pound a year, it's a wonder if he leave an hundred a year of it to any pious or charitable use; but if he leave forty or fifty pound to the poor, or build some small Alms-house, he thinks he hath done well; all the rest must go to leave his son in equal dignity and riches in the world as himself. But of this I spoke before.

9. Give them not for their carnal advancement in the world that part of your estate which is due to God. You owe it all to him: and in the disposing of it, he hath limited you to begin at home, & provide so for your children that they may have their daily bread, and so much more as they are in likelyhood the fittest stewards to improve for God. But if you see the publick state of the Church or Commonweal to stand in need of your assistance, and you shall then give almost all to your children to make them rich and great in the world, and put off the works of greater moment with some poor inconsiderable alms or Legacy, this is to prefer self before the Lord; even as it is imagined to survive in your progeny, even when natural self can no longer enjoy it. It's a wonder, how so many men seeming holy and devoted to God, can quiet their consciences in such a palpable sin as this. If one of them have two hundred, or three hundred pound a year, it's a wonder if he leave an hundred a year of it to any pious or charitable use; but if he leave forty or fifty pound to the poor, or build some small Almes-house, he thinks he hath done well; all the rest must go to leave his son in equal dignity and riches in the world as himself. But of this I spoke before.