So backward we are to works of charity, and so ready to think that
giving undoes us, that we need to have it very much pressed upon us how
much it is for our own advantage to do good to others, as before, v.
17. 1. We shall have the comfort of it in our own bosoms: The liberal
soul, the soul of blessing, that prays for the afflicted and provides
for them, that scatters blessings with gracious lips and generous
hands, that soul shall be made fat with true pleasure and enriched with
more grace. 2. We shall have the recompence of it both from God and
man: He that waters others with the streams of his bounty shall be also
watered himself; God will certainly return it in the dews, in the
plentiful showers, of his blessing, which he will pour out, till there
be not room enough to receive it, Mal. iii. 10. Men that have any sense
of gratitude will return it if there be occasion; the merciful shall
find mercy and the kind be kindly dealt with. 3. We shall be enabled
still to do yet more good: He that waters, even he shall be as rain (so
some read it); he shall be recruited as the clouds are which return
after the rain, and shall be further useful and acceptable, as the rain
to the new-mown grass. He that teaches shall learn (so the Chaldee
reads it); he that uses his knowledge in teaching others shall himself
be taught of God; to him that has, and uses what he has, more shall be
given.