2. _Because the opportunity of doing good is ever present._--"As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (ver. 10). The whole of life is our opportunity, and every day brings its special work. Opportunity is never to seek; it is ever present. There is not a moment without a duty. While we are looking for a more convenient opportunity, we lose the one that is nearest to us. As members of the household of faith there is ever work enough to do--work that fits us to do good on a wider scale--"unto all men." True zeal for the Church broadens rather than narrows our charities. Household affection is the nursery, not the rival, of love to our fatherland and to humanity. +Lessons.+--1. _Our present life is the seed-time of an eternal harvest._ 2. _The quality of the future harvest depends entirely on the present sowing._ 3. _God Himself is the Lord of the moral harvest._ _GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._ Ver. 6. _Pastors and People._ I. It is the duty of the people +to give their pastors not only countenance but maintenance.+ II. It is the law of nations, and a conclusion grounded on common equity, that those who spend themselves, as a candle, to give light to others and for the common good of all, +should be maintained of the common stock by all.+ III. Every calling is able to maintain them that live therein, therefore we may not think that +the ministry, the highest calling, should be so base or barren+ as that it cannot maintain them that attend thereupon. IV. Ministers are the Lord's soldiers, captains, and standard-bearers, and therefore +are not to go a warfare at their own cost.+ V. Ministers are to give themselves wholly to the building of the Church and to the fighting of the Lord's battles. Therefore they are to have their pay +that they may attend upon their calling without distraction.+ VI. It is the ordinance of God +that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.+--Ministers should be liberally provided for, yet with moderation, that they draw not all men's wealth into their purses. He that would live of the Gospel must teach the Gospel. A benefit requires a duty, and diligence is that duty.--_Perkins._