A Word From Some Who Give by I. H. EVANS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 29, 1909

A Word From Some Who Give

By I. H. EVANS

It was a beautiful lesson the Master taught his children when he said to them concerning the poor widow, whom he saw casting in her mite into the treasury, “This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury; for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

This meager offering was so small that one would hardly know how to appreciate the amount unless he knew the pinch of extreme poverty. The offering the widow made was two mites, or a farthing, which in the currency of to-day equals about one fourth of a cent. Though the offering was so small, yet Jesus took notice of this poor widow’s gift; and of those who came to the treasury casting in their offerings, among whom were doubtless people in all walks of life, Jesus selected this poor widow, giving her his commendation, and saying that she had cast more into the treasury than they all; for the others cast in of their abundance, but “she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

These words have comforted not a few whose hearts have burned with love to their Heavenly Father, but who were poor in this world’s goods. All down the ages these words have been an inspiration to men and women to give liberally to the cause of God.

The other day we received a letter from a brother which reads as follows:—

I will enclose in this a postal order for one dollar for midsummer offering. It is not as much as I would like to give, but every little helps. I am an invalid, having been confined to my bed and wheel-chair for eight years, and not able to earn one cent. I am an isolated Sabbath-keeper, not another one in this town. Thirty-four years ago I came into the truth, but I am stronger in the faith of the soon-coming Saviour than ever before. I am determined to remain faithful to the end, that I may have a part with you in the first resurrection.

All over this land there are many such, poor in the things of this world, yet consecrated, self-sacrificing souls who give all they have, even their living, to help on the cause of God.

The other day we received a letter from a blind sister, with an offering enclosed for foreign missions, in which she says:—

I am totally blind, and have not been able to see for many years. I earn my support with my needle. I am old and feeble, but I enclose a little offering, which I wish sent to some heathen land where the people’s souls are in greater darkness than my physical body.

Surely the Spirit of God will follow such consecrated gifts, and in the kingdom there will be many rejoicing in eternal life whose salvation will be accredited to the sacrifices of these self-denying ones.

One of our ministers, hearing that the cause of God was in distress for money, sent a check which he had received for fifty dollars, saying that he had unexpectedly received a little money which he would be glad for the cause of God to use in its distress. From all lands, everywhere in the world, these loyal, self-sacrificing souls are doing what they can to advance God’s work in the earth.

Not only are consecrated souls willing to give their money, but parents are willing to give their children to go to the ends of the world to carry this message to those in darkness. A mother, nearly seventy years of age, whose only son in the truth had been sent by the General Conference to a foreign field, writes:—

I am glad that my son is going to a foreign field. While we greatly regret to part with him, we would rather he would be in the thickest of the fight, helping to finish this work, than to remain at home, though it is with tears that we part with him.

As God’s people consecrate their children, their means, and themselves to the Lord’s service, it does seem as if the work could be speedily finished.

I. H. EVANS.