Thanksgiving Day and Thanksgiving Day Gifts

Astream of people passed by the treasury where they cast in an abundance of their gifts. Near the treasury sat the Lord Jesus. He saw the multitude, and He knew the heart of each one entering the temple. He knew the gifts which were cast into the treasury—the talents, the pieces of silver, the shekels, the pennies. He knew the givers and their gifts and how those gifts were given; all was known to Him. He also sees you when the collection plate is passed around during the church service even if there are hundreds or thousands of people. He is the One who knows your circumstances, your possessions, and your heart; He knows both your hidden and visible life. Who is more able than He to determine the value of your gifts, He who does not only see what is visible to the naked eye but also sees with heavenly measure? Shall He ever make a mistake?

Jesus sees a widow

Among the sea of people there was found a widow who could be recognized by her modest clothing. She carried traces of sorrow upon her countenance. Widow is a small word for much suffering. In addition, she was poor. She worked hard, but her income was meager.

Her income was so small that she lived from the one need to the next. Thus, her life was marked not only by sorrow but also by her need. She walked unnoticed among the people, but Jesus saw her as He had always seen her in her sorrow and difficulties. It is the same today; He knows how empty the vacant places are and how sorrowful the hearts of the mourning ones are, also on Thanksgiving Day. Do you believe that?

The gifts of this widow consisted of two mites … literally, two thin, small coins. Together they made a farthing, too little to buy one sparrow at the market, too little to feed the poor. In those days, there was no coin of lesser value. She cast those two small coins into the treasury. Almost soundlessly they fell among the pieces of silver and gold, but Jesus had seen them, and just then He called His disciples to Him to instruct them in one of the things of the kingdom of heaven, to let them see one of its mysteries.

What this widow had given and how she had given it was measured against what was left over. Ultimately, it comes down to what is in the heart, hers and ours. Without that upright love in our heart, our gift in the collection plate is as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, not in regard to the purpose that I am giving but in God’s sight.

Was there, then, no love found within the many rich people who gave much? The Lord Jesus does not say that. It is written that they cast in much, but of the widow it was said that she gave more than they all because she gave everything and had nothing left over. Therein shone the love which was burning in her heart. She offered her entire living as a thank offering to the Lord. Jesus saw it, and it was unto him as a sweet odor, a well-pleasing sacrifice.

The heart of the widow

This widow had learned what it meant to lose her last coins and to retain a heaven-high guilt according to God’s justice, but it did not remain that way, also not while going up to the temple. Through grace she had been able to see the loveliness of the Lord in His temple. The burden which lay upon her shoulders was removed, and His sweet communion was experienced. In her soul was revealed by Christ the free sovereign grace which moved God from eternity. Then she received life for her soul; she had everything, and because of reciprocal love there was no talking, only giving. That is why she turned her purse upside down over the treasury as if to say, “Oh, Lord, Thou art worthy of all of my love. Look upon Thy handmaid.”

It was a matter between the Lord and her soul. Two people knew about it. Do you think that this widow would have thought that the Lord Jesus would have spoken about it to his disciples? Do you think that she would have ever thought that this would be recorded in Scripture? Indeed not! It will be the righteous who will answer, “Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink?” (Matthew 25:37). So also, will righteous ones such as this widow ask, “Lord, when did I give more than all? When was that?”

Am I a true Christian?

Do you still ask how much you must give to be a true Christian? Is not love the fulfillment of the law? The difference noted in heaven is not between copper and silver but between one heart and the other. This widow gave all that she had, but there is One who has given more than all. Her offering excelled above all other people’s offerings before the Lord. The true priestly service does not ask how much is sufficient. Think of what is given, what is left over, and how it is given. Therefore, do not ask how much must I give to be a true Christian, but am I a true Christian and is my gift evidence of an offering of spiritual benevolence? How often has your gift accused you? How often has it called out to you—be ye converted?

For His account

How must it go with this widow, for she no longer had anything to sustain her? That is true, but she did have an overabundance of peace and truth (Jeremiah 33:6). She no longer had any worldly goods, but she was sustained spiritually. Jesus had seen her from eternity, and He knew what she stood in need of; she lay for His account for time and eternity. Blessed and happy woman! Even though she had to walk the narrow way, she received provisions upon the way. She had oppression in the world, but her end was peace. She did have strife, but her victory was not uncertain. She had lost her husband, but her Maker became her husband. This woman—poor in worldly goods and poor in spirit—was rich in God.

Rev. C. Hogchem, Genemuiden, the Netherlands

Translated from De Saambinder

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen