She Hath Done What She Could

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 28, 1913

She Hath Done What She Could

This is the record which the Master bore of Mary. He was in the house of Simon, the leper, partaking of his hospitality and preaching the gospel to him and to his associates. Mary, for whom he had rendered a great service in delivering her from the power of the evil one, brought “an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.” This offering doubtless represented her all. For its purchase she had toiled and economized. She presented it as the token of her highest love for her Saviour.

Some were inclined to question the service. Why had the ointment not been sold and the money given to the poor? Why should not Mary have shown her appreciation in some other way? The Master recognized the motive prompting the sacrifice, and he said, “Let her alone; why trouble ye her? . . . She hath done what she could.”

This is the standard of divine commendation. The test of service is in proportion to the light, the opportunities, the privileges given to each disciple. In the day of final reckoning God will take account of every man,—of the natural ability bestowed, of the place of his birth, of his early environment, of the opportunities afforded him, of the light of which he has been the recipient. Ps. 87:4. The determining factor in the settlement of every destiny will be, Has this man done what he could? Has that woman been faithful where she was placed? Has the minister of the gospel been true to his holy trust? Has the mother been faithful in her home?

Dear reader, have you done what you could? Are you doing it day by day? Have you the consciousness as you lay down the burdens of life at the close of every day that you have done for God and your fellows the best you knew? Have you followed the light? Have you improved your opportunities? Have you been true to your convictions? Have you lived in all good conscience before God? Have you availed yourself of the privileges of prayer? Have you taken Christ at his word and made him your strength and power? Are you doing what you can? This will prove the determining factor in the matter of divine acceptance.