Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. I. THE MOST LIKELY MEANS OF PAYING WHAT WE OWE. 1. The first mean is diligence in business. Make no unnecessary delay, nor set about it with a slack or unskilful hand. 2. The second mean is frugality, or the avoiding of expense whenever it can properly be avoided. 3. A third mean is exactness. "Put all in writing," says the son of Sirac, "that thou givest out or receivest in." Punctual payment is material. The last effect of exactness is to ensure the payment of what we owe at death. It is the concluding evidence of an honest man to leave his affairs in order. II. THE SACRIFICES WHICH MUST SOMETIMES BE MADE TO JUSTICE. 1. One must sometimes bear the reproach of selfishness in order to pay debt or keep out of it. 2. Fashion must often be quitted for the sake of justice. In order to perceive and obey this call, consult your own understanding. What is the consequence of being unfashionable? I am censured, and ridiculed, and despised. But what is the consequence of being unjust? My own heart condemns me. 3. Vainglory must be checked for the sake of justice. The pleasure in sumptuous possessions is slight, "beholding them with the eye." If they be unpaid, looking at them calls up the painful remembrance. 4. Generosity must be checked when it would encroach on justice. The parting with money inconsiderately, so far from being approved, is become a proverbial folly. Some make a flash of affected generosity who are not very scrupulous in paying what they owe, nor about fraudulent courses provided they be gainful. 5. Compassion must be bounded by justice. We are required to do justly and to love mercy. Let the love of mercy be cherished, and, when justice permits, let its dictates be obeyed. Still it is the part of a wise man to examine the claims that are made on his compassion. By rejecting false ones he can indulge compassion with more effect, and it partakes more of the nature of virtue. 6. Friendship may prompt a man to involve himself by loan or suretyship. 7. The dictates of natural affection must be checked when they encroach on justice. Let a man reveal to his family his real circumstances, and establish an order conformed to them. 8. Pleasures innocent in themselves may prove too costly. From that moment they cease to be innocent. 9. An immoderate desire of wealth leads to injustice. What is the consequence, for example, of adventuring in trade beyond what your capital admits of and justifies? 10. Sloth must be conquered. It is fatal to justice as well as to every other virtue. "The slothful is brother to him that is a great waster." He is equally exposed to poverty, and to all the temptations the poor are under, to be unjust. 11. False shame must be combated. 12. Restitution is the last sacrifice to be made to justice. There are two cases, the case of things found, and of things acquired unjustly. III. Such are the sacrifices to be made to justice. They are costly; but THE BLESSINGS ARE IN PROPORTION GREAT. 1. To be out of debt is accounted a part of happiness. 2. Peace at the latter end is the portion of the upright. The pleasures of iniquity are but for a moment. The splendour of extravagance fades. To live and die an honest man is a worthy object of ambition. (S. Charters.) Parallel Verses KJV: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. |
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