Proverbs 22:9

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed.

The bountiful eye

The passage before us speaks of bounty in man, and blessedness from God. What is a bountiful eye, and what is the blessing belonging to him who possesses it? The eye is a wonderful part of the curiously wrought human frame. But the term is used in Scripture in a moral point of view, and describes a peculiar state of the mind. Thus we read of the blinded eye, the enlightened eye, the single eye, the evil eye, all of which refer to the state of the mind or heart; and so does the term “bountiful eye.” Mind, it is not said a bountiful tongue--“most men will proclaim every one his own goodness” (Proverbs 20:6); nor a bountiful hand, for man may give all his goods to feed the poor, and lack charity (1 Corinthians 13:3); nor a bountiful head, for an ingenious mind may devise schemes of liberality for others and not be truly generous himself; but “a bountiful eye”--one through which the soul looks in tender compassion--one that “considers the cause of the poor” (Psalms 41:1)--one that compares and contrives--one that “affects the heart,” stirs it up to feel, and moves the hand to minister. Such an eye looks in the right place to find appropriate objects. It does not shun misery, “passing by” (like the priest and Levite) “on the other side.” It looks through the right medium, even the love and compassion of God, and says, “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” It looks to the right end, even the glory of God and the good of man; and looks for a right reward--not the approbation of man, but to please God. A bountiful eye does not say, “How much can I give to save appearances, or pacify conscience”; but, “How much can I spare God and His cause?” A bountiful eye may be considered in contrast with the evil eye. “Eat not the bread of him that hath an evil eye” (Proverbs 23:6). Why not? Such an one maketh haste to be rich (Proverbs 28:22). He attempts to serve God and mammon (Matthew 7:12). Thus his eye is evil, and his whole body is full of darkness. Have you a bountiful eye? Be careful of it. The eye of the body wants guarding; so does the eye of the soul. It sometimes grows dim. Covetousness steals silent marches even on liberal souls. Happy is he of whom it can be said spiritually, as of Moses literally, that his eye is not dim, nor his spiritual force abated. The way to strengthen the habit is to be frequent in the act. (Christian Treasury.)