The surest & safest way of thriving, or, A conviction of that grand mistake…

2. And what better use can you make of your riches, than by bestowing a part of them upon the poor and needy? It being the chief end of Giving more of this worlds goods to some than to others, that they who have the greater store should give out thereof to them who are in want. Which was typically signified by the Israelites gathering of Manna, which though it were rained down from heaven, yet the Lord would not allow, that they who had gathered more than was needful for themselves, and their household, should hoard up their superfluity, but enjoined them to communicate of their abundance to such as had not enough, that so he that had the most, should have nothing over; and he that had the least, should have no lack. The which the Apostle applieth to the giving of alms out of our abundance to those who want, 2 Cor. 8. 14.

2. And what better use can you make of your riches, than by bestowing a part of them upon the poor and needy? It being the chief end of Giving more of this worlds goods to some than to others, that they who have the greater store should give out thereof to them who are in want. Which was typically signified by the Israelites gathering of Manna, which though it were rained down from heaven, yet the Lord would not allow, that they who had gathered more than was needful for themselves, and their household, should hoard up their superfluity, but enjoyned them to communicate of their abundance to such as had not enough, that so he that had the most, should have nothing over; and he that had the least, should have no lack. The which the Apostle applyeth to the giving of almes out of our abundance to those who want, 2 Cor. 8. 14.

By communicating of our riches to the poor, we shall make them our friends, both to give evidence for us of the truth of our faith and charity, and to beg a plentiful return upon us: This is the advice of our Saviour, Luke 16. 9. Make to your selves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Where, by Mammon, our Saviour intendeth the abundance of this worlds-goods, which he called Mammon of unrighteousness, because ordinarily by worldly men it is unrighteously gotten, unrighteously reserved, and unrighteously used. This he hinteth, that his Disciples might be the more wary about it, and the more careful of making themselves friends thereof, that is, so to use their riches by relieving the poor, as the good works done by them may give testimony of their Faith and Charity, which is the part of Friends. Friends are ready to give good testimony of one another. The coats & garments which Dorcas made for poor widows