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LECTURE LXXIX.

THE POOR WIDOW'S LIBERALITY COMMENDED.

MARK Xii. 41-44.

41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Jesus beheld the people, as they performed this religious duty, in contributing to the expenses of the temple: for it was the treasury of the temple which they were supplying. It is an example of the way in which the King of all the earth is constantly beholding the works of men, and recording them for reward or condemnation. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." 1 Beholding the evil, sometimes that he may overrule their bad designs to his own wise purposes; and sometimes that he may restrain them within the bounds which they should not pass, lest like the waters of the deluge, they should return to cover the earth. Beholding them also, that in the end he may "give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Beholding the good, that he may bestow on them that reward in heaven, which they do not always find on earth. That he 2 Jer. xxxii. 19.

1 Prov. xv. 3.

may approve and favour now, and give abundant recompense hereafter.

This gracious purpose is disclosed in the words which follow.

42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44. 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.

What was so cast in, was employed for the relief of the indigent, and for the repair and services of the temple. It was expected that all should contribute to these purposes according to their ability. One might, therefore, be seen giving, not cheerfully, but of necessity; according as his station, or the example of others, obliged him. "Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." Another might be seen giving, with a liberal hand, but not from a liberal motive; that he might be "seen of men," and be extolled for his generosity. He has his reward;" but he has it on earth, where he seeks it, where his heart is, and his treasure is. But others would be seen, like this poor widow, casting more in, than they all: casting in, not of their abundance, but of their poverty. Liberality is not to be estimated by the amount given, but by the amount which remains over and above what is given. They who out of their abundance

cast much into the funds of charity, have abundance left, and there is little of self-denial in their gifts, though it is well that it is in their heart to do what they have done. But they who "out of their deep poverty" still find something for the relief of their neighbours, or the glory of God, are highest in the esteem of Him who knoweth all things.

This poor widow, for example. Some might have blamed her rashness and imprudence, when she cast in all that she had, even all her living. But the Lord does not blame her. He saw that in what she did, she was prompted by that faith and love, which is pleasing to God; which glorifies him on earth, and which wherever it is found shall not lose its reward.

She had acted in love. It was the Lord's treasury the treasury of that temple in which he had recorded his name, and where he had promised to meet his people with a blessing. Perhaps she was herself conscious of blessings received there. Perhaps she had gone thither, like the mother of Samuel, as "a woman of a sorrowful spirit," and had poured out her soul before God in prayer and supplication. Perhaps she had found comfort in some of those words from the law or from the prophets, which were read in the temple every Sabbath day. She had been cheered by the promise of the Psalmist, that the Lord makes the fatherless and widow his care. She had been encouraged by the words of Jeremiah, "Leave thy fatherless children, and let thy widows trust in me." And now that ofierings

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3 Ex. xx. 24.

5 Ps. cxlvi.

1 Sam. i. 9-18.

6 Jer. xlix. 11.

were made for the support of that worship in which she had found comfort, when earthly comforts were taken from her, she would not pass by on the other side, but render what return she could for the benefits which she had received of the Lord.

Love, therefore, grateful love, suggested the act which Jesus observed and approved. And what love conceived, was performed in faith in faith that God would provide for the wants of his servants, and make his promise good, "Their bread shall be given them, their water shall be sure." Perhaps she called to mind that passage in her national history when the prophet encouraged king Amaziah to comply with the will of God, and have no fear of the consequences. Amaziah had engaged on his side in a campaign against his enemies "a hundred thousand men of valour out of Israel for a hundred talents of silver." The man of God counsels him to dismiss these troops from his army: for "the Lord is not with Israel; and he hath power to help and to cast down." And Amaziah said to the man of God, What shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, "The Lord is able to give thee much more than this." So the poor widow might have reasoned: What shall I do for this sum, which small as it is, is all my living? And her faith re-assured her: Follow the dictates of conscience, and show thy reverence to the temple, and thy love to the "Lord of the temple." The Lord is able to give thee much more than this tribute which thou offerest tohis glory.

6 Isa. xxxiii. 16.

72 Chron. xxv. 5 -10.

And now, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, this her act of faith and love is recorded for an example. "If thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little :" for it is not the abundance of the gifts, but the abundance of the heart which is acceptable in the sight of God.

LECTURE LXXX.

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE FORETOLD.

MARK Xiii. 1-13.

1. And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

2. And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.1

The first temple built by Solomon had been thrown down in token of God's anger. That destruction had fulfilled a prophecy of Micah, who had foretold, "Zion shall be ploughed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps." This temple, however, had

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The exact fulfilment of this prophecy is detailed by Josephus in his history, himself an eye-witness of the siege of Jerusalem.

2 Micah iii. 12.

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