Here is, 1. A promise to the charitable: He that gives to the poor
shall himself be never the poorer for so doing; he shall not lack. If
he have but little, and so be in danger of lacking, let him give out of
his little, and that will prevent it from coming to nothing; as the
bounty of the widow of Sarepta to Elijah (for whom she made a little
cake first) saved what she had, when it was reduced to a handful of
meal. If he have much, let him give much out of it, and that will
prevent its growing less; he and his shall not want what is given in
pious charity. What we gave we have. 2. A threatening to the
uncharitable: He that hides his eyes, that he may not see the miseries
of the poor nor read their petitions, lest his eye should affect his
heart and extort some relief from him, he shall have many a curse, both
from God and man, and neither causeless, and therefore they shall come.
Woeful is the condition of that man who has the word of God and the
prayers of the poor against him.