The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced

By Jonathan Edwards and Larry Slawson

Jonathan Edwards was an American preacher, philosopher, and theologian born on 5 October 1703 to Timothy and Esther Edwards of East Windsor, Connecticut.  Edwards was well-known throughout the American colonies for his books, sermons, and broad theological views.  He also played a crucial role in shaping the First Great Awakening before he died in 1758 of smallpox.  To this day, Edwards continues to influence and inspire millions of individuals around the world.
This book contains Jonathan Edward’s famous sermon, “The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced,” in its original, unedited form. A brief introduction and commentary pertaining to the sermon is provided by the editor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Larry Slawson
• Release date: May 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9788835827009

Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) was a pastor, theologian, and missionary. He is generally considered the greatest American theologian. A prolific writer, Edwards is known for his many sermons, including "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," and his classic A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. Edwards was appointed president of the College of New Jersey (later renamed Princeton University) shortly before his death. 

Book preview

THE DUTY OF CHARITY TO THE POOR, EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED

JONATHAN EDWARDS

EDITED BY: LARRY SLAWSON

MAY 2019

INTRODUCTION

Birth Name: Jonathan Edwards

Date of Birth: 5 October 1703

Place of Birth: East Windsor, Connecticut (British Colonial America)

Date of Death: 22 March 1758 (54 Years of Age)

Place of Death: Princeton, Province of New Jersey

Cause of Death: Smallpox

Place of Burial: Princeton Cemetery, Province of New Jersey

Nationality: American

Occupation: Pastor; Missionary; Theologian

Spouse(s): Sarah Pierpont

Children: Sarah, Jerusha, Esther, Mary, Lucy, Timothy, Susannah, Eunice, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Pierpont

Father: Timothy Edwards

Mother: Esther Stoddard

Siblings: Esther; Hannah; Jerusha; Eunice; Abigail; Lucy; Martha; Elisabeth; Mary; Ann

Religious Views: Puritan (Reformed); Calvinism

Best Known For: Regarded as one of Colonial America’s most important and influential theologians.

Jonathan Edwards was an American preacher, philosopher, and theologian born on 5 October 1703 to Timothy and Esther Edwards of East Windsor, Connecticut. Edwards was well-known throughout the American colonies for his books, sermons, and broad theological views. He also played a crucial role in shaping the First Great Awakening before he died in 1758 of smallpox. To this day, Edwards’ work continues to influence and inspire millions of individuals around the world.

This work, along with planned books for the future, seeks to provide its readers with a basic understanding of Edwards’ beliefs and ideas. What follows is the complete text of Edwards’ work, The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced. It is this author’s hope that this work will be a blessing to its readers as they explore one of the most fascinating individuals to have arose from the Eighteenth Century.

--Larry Slawson (16 May 2019)

THE DUTY OF CHARITY TO THE POOR, EXPLAINED AND ENFORCED

FIRST PUBLISHED BY JONATHAN EDWARDS: January 1732

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. (Deuteronomy 15:7-1)

SECTION I

The words explained.

Subject: ’Tis the most absolute and indispensable duty of a people of God to give bountifully and willingly for the supply of the wants of the needy.

THE duty here enjoined, is giving to the poor. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: — Thou shalt surely give him. Here by thy poor brother is to be understood the same as in other places is meant by neighbor. It is explained in Lev. 25:35 to mean not only those of their own nation, but even strangers and sojourners. "And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner." The Pharisees indeed interpreted it to signify only one of their own nation. But Christ condemns this interpretation, Luke 10:29, etc. and teaches, in contradiction to their opinion, that the rules of charity, in the law of Moses, are to be extended to the Samaritans, who were not of their nation, and between whom and the Jews there was the most bitter enmity, and who were a people very troublesome to the Jews.

God gives us direction how we are to give in such a case, viz. bountifully, and willingly. We should give bountifully, and sufficiently for the supply of the poor’s need. Deu. 15:7, 8, Thou shalt not shut up thine hand from thy poor brother; but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. And again, in verse 11, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. Again, we should give willingly and without grudging. Deu. 15:7, Thou shalt not harden thine heart from thy poor brother, And verse 10, "And thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest