It is the hungry man's bread which we hoard up in our own barns. It is his meat on which we glut, and his drink which we guzzle: it is the naked man's apparel which we shut up in our presses, or which we exorbitantly ruffle and flaunt in: it is the needy person's gold and silver which we closely hide in our chests, or spend idly, or put out to useless use. We are, in thus holding, or thus spending, not only covetous, but wrongful, or havers of more than our own, against the will of the rightful owners.--_Barrow._ 1. They who have had much experience in the world may be of infinite use by giving _salutary advice._ 2. If we are afraid of being thought meddling, we can benefit others by a _good example._ 3. By _vindicating the characters_ of those who have been unjustly defamed. 4. By not only giving alms, but _attention, care,_ and _friendship_ to the needy. 5. _By recommending_ our brethren to God in _prayer_.--_Bishop Porteous._ Verse 28. This conduct is too common. It may arise--1. From an avaricious reluctance to part with the money. The avaricious man is so loath to part with the object of his idolatry that even a day's delay pleases him. 2. From indolent listlessness. The man is not in a mood to be troubled. He is occupied about something else, or he is not disposed to be occupied at all. 3. From insolent superciliousness. This is often discovered towards inferiors, or towards persons against whom there exists a grudge. It is the vice of little minds--ungenerous, unjust, unmanly.--_Wardlaw._ He gives twice to one in need who gives at once.--_Publius Syrus._ Keep as few good intentions hovering about as possible. They are like ghosts haunting a dwelling. The way to lay them is to find bodies for them.--_Arnot._ Verse 29. This evil may be practised in a great variety of ways. As, for instance--A man in business does what he can to obtain another's confidence; or, whether he acts from this view or not, he knows that he has that confidence, and he takes advantage of it to obtain large quantities of goods from him, when aware that his own affairs are precarious and his credit sinking. There are not wanting cases in which the most nefarious crimes have been perpetrated through the medium of unsuspecting confidence. The wife of a man's bosom, or the child of his paternal love, has been seduced by the unwitting confidence he has reposed in a seeming friend. It is the very sin by which "the devil beguiled Eve through his subtilty.". . . All therefore who act such a part are of "their father the devil."--_Wardlaw._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 30. UNLAWFUL STRIFE FORBIDDEN.