You may have little to give. Your sphere and means may be alike limited. But remember God can be as much glorified by the trifle saved from the earnings of poverty, as by the splendid benefaction from the lap of plenty “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.”
The nobler part of Christian benevolence is not vast largesses, munificent pecuniary sacrifices. “He went about doing good.” The merciful visit—the friendly word—the look of sympathy—the cup of cold water, the little unostentatious service—the giving without thought or hope of recompense—the kindly “considering of the poor”—anticipating their wants—studying their comforts; these are what God values and loves. They are “loans” to Himself—tributary streams to “the river of His pleasure;” they will be acknowledged at last as such—“Ye did it unto Me.”
“ARM YOURSELVES LIKEWISE WITH THE SAME MIND.”
Twenty-fourth Day.
FIRMNESS IN TEMPTATION.
“Jesus saith unto him, Get thee hence, Satan.”—Matt. iv. 10.
There is an awful intensity of meaning in the words, as applied to Jesus, “He suffered, being tempted!” Though incapable of sin, there was, in the refined sensibilities of His holy nature, that which made temptation unspeakably fearful. What must it have been to confront the Arch-traitor?—to stand face to face with the foe of His throne, and His universe? But the “prince of this world” came, and found “nothing in Him.” Billow after billow of Satanic violence spent their fury, in vain, on the Living Rock!