The smooth tricks of scoundrels are evil. They plot crooked schemes. They lie to convict the poor, even when the cause of the poor is just. But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:7-8.
“[Disciples of Christ] seek not the world for worldly ends, that they may rise higher and fare better, more deliciously, or that they may have more esteem and reputation (these are the low unworthy ends of sensualists and worldlings for themselves and their posterity); but that they may do more good, and be more serviceable, and more honour their profession, and show the sincerity of their aims by really and freely employing what they get for those noble and generous purposes.”
David Clarkson (1622-1686) in The Practical Works of David Clarkson, vol. 2 of 3 (Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1865) 383.
The candid tone of the Puritan preachers continues to grab my attention, though I will likely complete my exploration of the Puritans thinking soon. I plan to shift to Christian Mystics from church history next by reading authors like: Teresa of Ávila, Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Merton, Beatrice of Nazareth, and Gregory of Narek, to name a few.
In Clarkson’s thinking, those who are focused on this world are “worldlings” who aim at “worldly ends” and self-advancement. In contrast, disciples of Christ are focused on blessing others “by really and freely employing what they get” from God. That statement presupposes the belief in providence, that all we have comes to us from God to be used following His purposes.
As Isaiah notes above, noble or generous people are not noble or generous by accident, they plan to be generous. They really and freely employ what they get from God and notice that Isaiah says that they stand firm in their generosity. That’s his way of saying that God the Supplier will fuel their intentional efforts to serve as faithful distributors. What about you? Are you really and freely employing what you get?