p. 7 | One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 11, 1907

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

By Ellen G. White

For Special Work at Home and Abroad

The Widow's Mites

Jesus said of the poor widow, She “hath cast in more than they all.” The rich had bestowed from their abundance, many of them to be seen and honored by men. Their large donations had deprived them of no comfort, or even luxury; they had required no sacrifice, and could not be compared in value with the widow’s mites.

It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in his sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift. The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her Heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Saviour’s commendation.

When Jesus said of the widow, She “hath cast in more than they all,” his words were true, not only in motive, but of the results of her gift. The “two mites, which make a farthing,” have brought to God’s treasury an amount of money far greater than the contributions of those rich Jews. The influence of that little gift has been like a stream, small in its beginning, widening and deepening as it flowed down through the ages. In a thousand ways it has contributed to the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel. Her example of self-sacrifice has acted and reacted upon thousands of hearts in every land and in every age. It has appealed to both rich and poor, and their offerings have swelled the value of her gift. God’s blessing upon the widow’s mites has made it the source of great results. So with every gift bestowed and every act performed with a sincere desire for God’s glory. It is linked with the purposes of Omnipotence. Its results for good no man can measure.—Mrs. E. G. White.