May 16

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

WE RECEIVE AS WE GIVE

   "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" Matt. 5:7

   It is not meet that the man who will not forgive should be forgiven,
   nor shall he who will not give to the poor have his own wants relieved.
   God will measure to us with our own bushels, and those who have been
   hard masters and hard creditors, will find that the Lord will deal
   hardly with them. "He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath
   shewed no mercy."

   This day let us try to give and to forgive. Let us mind the two bears
   -- bear and forbear. Let us be kind, and gentle, and tender. Let us not
   put harsh constructions upon men's conduct, nor drive hard bargains,
   nor pick foolish quarrels, nor be difficult to please. Surely we wish
   to be blessed, and we also want to obtain mercy: let us be merciful,
   that we may have mercy. Let us fulfill the condition, that we may earn
   the beatitude. Is it not a pleasant duty to be kind? Is there not much
   more sweetness in it than in being angry and ungenerous? Why, there is
   a blessedness in the thing itself! Moreover, the obtaining of mercy is
   a rich reward. What but sovereign grace could suggest such a promise as
   this? We are merciful to our fellow-mortal in pence, and the Lord
   forgives us ''all that debt.''