Proverbs 3:9

9. Honour Miller well says, Honour, in a connexion like this, grew to include the idea of giving. We see it in the Greek τιμα . 1 Timothy 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:17; Acts 5:2; Proverbs 19:19. Substance points to capital, increase, to revenue, income. In verse six the teacher had said, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [smooth] thy paths.” This thought is resumed and illustrated in an important particular. To show our gratitude to God for blessings bestowed is a leading duty. The laws of the old economy directed, that of all the firstfruits an offering should be presented. (See Exodus 23:14; Exodus 23:16; Exodus 23:19; also Exodus 22:29-30; Leviticus 2:12; Leviticus 2:16; Leviticus 19:23-24; Deuteronomy 18:4-5.) This was a thank offering for the blessings of life, and a contribution to the support of religion. These offerings of our substance are dictates of sanctified reason. The ordinances and ministries of religion being appointed by God for the benefit of men, it is the will of God that they should be supported by men, to whom, here and elsewhere, he gives the promise that in proportion to the liberality of their contributions as compared with their means, will he return them liberal dispensations of his providence and grace. Under the old dispensation the return, in kind, of temporal blessings was prominent, the spiritual being included; under the new, the spiritual blessings returned occupy the foreground, but the temporal, also, are included. He that makes temporal sacrifices for the cause of religion shall receive manifold more in this life, and in the world to come everlasting life. Matthew 19:29-30; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30. This is the general rule.

The subject and principles of systematic beneficence deserve more attention than they have hitherto received from modern Christians. Comparatively few give systematically a percentage of their income or gains. This was a principle of the old law, and the proportion was in some particulars definitely determined. Under the new economy the principle is as plainly obligatory as under the old, but each Christian is left to determine for himself what portion he shall devote to the Lord, under the stimulating promise, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6.