1326. They Gave Sacrificingly

They Gave Sacrificingly

"How that in a great trial of affliction * * and their deep poverty * * beyond their power" (2Co_8:2).

David caught the real spirit of giving when he said, "Shall I offer unto the Lord of that which cost me nothing?" When the Temple was being builded, David gave more than a million dollars from his private resources. He set the pace for the gifts of others.

In the New Testament, the choicest example of sacrificial giving is that of the poor widow. The rich men gave their gifts into the treasury, and they cast in much, but the poor widow cast in two mites. Yet, Christ said, "Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living she had."

God does not weigh our gifts by the amount we give, but He measures them by what we have left. Sometimes we honor the man who gives the most, but God honors the man who, in giving, suffers the most. There are precious saints who attend the house of God and have but little to give. Oftentimes their hearts are sad as the basket is passed. They feel, indeed, that they are worth but little to the cause, and yet if these certain saints put in but two mites and in that act, are giving what they themselves actually need, God will count them among His choicest and most abundant givers.

Peter and John went up to the Temple at the hour of prayer and they had nothing to give to the poor beggar who asked an alms, but they gave him something better than silver and gold. They said unto him, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And saints who give but little financially, may still give largely in their service.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR