“Oh, my dear Christians! if you would be like Christ, give much, give often, give freely, to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy, and so will you be. It is not your money I want, but your happiness. Remember his own word: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” …
Again, if Christ lived in some poor dwelling, with not enough of fire to keep away the cold, with not enough of clothes to make the bed warm, would you not seek him out? Would you stay till he sought you? Ah, woe is me! In how many dwellings does Christ dwell thus? And yet, there are Christians hearing me that never have sought him out. Change your plan, I pray you. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” …
I thank God that there are some among you to whom Christ will say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Go on, dear Christians, live still for Christ. Never forget, day nor night, that you are yourselves bought with a price. Lay yourselves and your property all in his hand, and say: “What wilt thou have me to do? Here am I, send me;” and then I know you will feel, now and in eternity, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” …
I am concerned for the poor; but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day. You seem to be Christians, and yet you care not for his poor. Oh, what a change will pass upon you as you enter the gates of heaven! You will be saved, but that will be all. There will be no abundant entrance for you: “He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly.”
I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians, because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh, my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly; for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.”
Sermon LXXXII: “More Blessed To Give Than To Receive” By Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne delivered in Dundee, February 4, 1838. From The Works of the Late Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne (New York: Robert Carter, 1847) 476-482.