1 Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charge? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or, who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 2 The Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn; and the labourer is worthy of his reward. For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and he that thresheth in hope, should be partaker of his hope. 3 If therefore the ministers of Christ have sown unto us spiritual things, is it a great thing if they shall reap our carnal things? Take heed to thyself, that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth: But remember to give the portion of the Priests and the Levites, that they may be encouraged in the law of the Lord. CHAPTER VIII. Concerning the Duty of Man towards himself. 5 HUMILITY. I SAY to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 21 Tim. v. 18. 1 Cor. ix. 10. 31 Cor. ix. 11. 5 Rom. xii. 3. 11 Cor. ix. 7. 4 Deut. xii. 19. 2 Chron. xxxi. 4. 1 Be not proud. Mind not high things. Be not wise in your own conceits, but condescend to men of low estate. 2 Stretch not yourselves beyond your measure. "Let us not be desirous of vain-glory: for if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. * Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not. 5 Most men will proclaim every man his own goodness; but they that commend themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise; for not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 6 Thus saith the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; neither let the mighty man glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, That he knoweth me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth. 'He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, serving the Lord with all humility of mind. * Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. For men to search their own glory, is not glory. 10 Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if 2 2 Cor. x. 14. Rom. xii. 16. 6 Jer. ix. 23, 24. xxvii. 2. 9 Prov. xxv. 27. thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? 1 Charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up; therefore talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of thy mouth. 2 Let not him that girdeth on his harness, boast as he that putteth it off. 3 There are certain which trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others; which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to us, for we are holier than thou: but he that doth not go about to establish his own righteousness, but humbleth himself before God, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner; this man shall be justified rather than the other. 4 When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do. 5 * Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. • Let no man deceive himself; if any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise; for God hath chosen the foolish things of this world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen; yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh shall glory in his presence. 1 Go to, ye that say, to-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow: for what is your life? It is even a vapour, which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that: but now ye rejoice in your boastings; all such rejoicing is evil. 2 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. When thou hast eaten, and art full, and hast built goodly houses; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied; beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, and thy heart be lifted up, and thou say in thine heart, My power, and the might of my hand, hath gotten me this wealth. 4 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted; but the rich in that he is made low; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 5 A certain rich man said to his soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. 1 James iv. 13, 14, 15, 16. 12, 13. 11. 14. 17. 21 Tim. vi. 17. 4 James i. 9, 10. 20, 21. 3 Deut. viii. 5 Luke xii. 16. 19, 1 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. 2 He saith, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knoweth not that he is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. 3 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire: through the pride of his countenance he will not seek after God. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity. But the Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things. 5 God will punish the stout heart of the conqueror, and the glory of his high looks; who saith, I have removed the bounds of the people, and have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man. By the strength of my hand I have done it; and by my wisdom, for I am prudent. Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? Or shall the staff lift up itself, as it were no wood? Therefore shall the Lord of Hosts lop the bough with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled. • God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble; submit yourselves therefore to God: 1 Psal. lii. 7. 3, 4. 6. Psal. xii. 3. iv. 6, 7. 10. 2 Rev. iii. 17. 3 Psal. lii. 1. Isa. x. 12, 13. 15, 16. 33, 4 Psal. x. 6 James |