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All our temporal possessions are only valuable as they are expended upon ourselves or others; either as they aid our own comfort or advance the welfare of our fellow-creatures. Let me then call upon you —

I. TO REJOICE IN THEM.

1. Let me begin with two cautions.

(1) The first regards justice. See that what you enjoy is your own. "Owe no man anything." It was well said by Lord Mansfield, that "for one cruel creditor, there were a hundred cruel debtors."(2) The second regards moderation. You can never suppose that God requires, or even allows, intemperance. "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

2. After having cautioned you, allow me to admonish. If you would rejoice in the good things which God gives you under the sun —

(1) Cherish a grateful sensibility. Some receive all their mercies like the beasts that perish. The animal only is gratified in them.

(2) Guard against habitual discontent. To possess is not to enjoy. Many possess much and enjoy nothing.

(3) Shun avaricious and distrustful anxiety.

(4)  Entertain no harsh and superstitious views of religion.

(5)  Seek after a knowledge of your reconciliation with God.

II. TO DO GOOD.

1. What good can these things enable us to do? — It is of three kinds.

(1)  They enable us to do religious good. This is the chief.

(2)  They enable us also to do intellectual good.

(3)  They enable us to do corporeal good: by which we mean, that which immediately regards the body, though the mind will also derive comfort from it.

2. In what manner are we to do it?

(1)  Immediately, and with diligence.

(2)  Extensively, and with impartiality.

(3)  Perseveringly, and without declension.

3. Why we should be concerned to accomplish it.

(1) Because the bounties of Providence were conferred upon us for this very purpose.

(2) Because God hath commanded it.

(3)  Gratitude requires it.

(4)  Profit requires it. What is it that attaches one man so powerfully to another, and gives him a resource in the tears, the prayers, the attentions of his fellow-creatures in the day of evil?

(5) Pleasure requires it. If you are strangers to the pleasures of benevolence, you are to be pitied; for you are strangers to the most pure, the most durable, the most delicious, the most satisfactory, the most God-like, pleasures to be enjoyed on this side heaven.

(W. Jay.)

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KJV: I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

WEB: I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.