Mark 12

Mark 12:41

Parallels: Luke 21

Christ applauds the liberality of the poor wido casting her two mites into the treasury. the end. Luke XXI. 1—4. MARK XII. 41. SECT. CLIX. And Jesus, having made an end of his discourse to the scribes and Pharisees, as he was going out of the temple, sat down at a little distance, over against that part of it which was called the treasury, because there the chests for collecting the contributions of the people stood, and in the chambers over that cloister the sacred stores were kept: and he looked up, and beheld, with attentive observation, how the people cast their money, [and] brought their offerings and free gifts, into the treasury, at this public time; and many rich men cast in much; there being still this remainder of national goodness among them, though true religion was sunk to so very low an ebb. 42 And there came among the rest a certain poor widow, whose character and circumstances he well knew; and she cast in there two of the smallest pieces of brass coin then in use, called mites, which both taken together only make a farthing of the Roman money. 43 And our Lord was so pleased with this generous action of hers, that he took particular notice of it, and even called his disciples to him, to hear his remarks upon it; and as they stood about him, he says to them, Look upon yonder woman, and observe the greatness of her piety and zeal; for assuredly I say unto you, That this poor widow, however she may seem to men to have given but a very little inconsiderable matter, has appeared in the sight of God to have cast in more than all they who have thrown such sumptuous gifts into the treasury: And, in proportion to her circumstances, it is much more; for all these, who have presented such * The treasury.] This treasury received money thrown into it he voluntary contributions of the worship- wood for the altar, sa pers who came up to the feasts; and the ries, not provided for

Reflections on the kind acceptance of the smallest charity.

did cast in of their abundance [unto the offerings of God] : but she of her [penury] did cast in all that she had, even all her living. [LUKE XXI. 4.]

large sums, threw in, comparatively, but a little part of their superfluity and redundancy of possessions into the offerings of God ; but she, in the midst of her poverty, and the daily straits to which she is exposed, has cast in all the little stock of money that she had, [even] all that she had by her for her living ; not knowing where she should get the next mite for herself to furnish out the necessary supports for her humble and indigent life.

clix. Mark xii.44

IMPROVEMENT.

OUR Lord Jesus Christ had his eye on those who were bringing their gifts unto the sacred treasury. Let us remember his eye is also upon us, to observe in what degree we are ready, on proper occasions, to contribute for the glory of God and the good of mankind ; and in what proportion to the ability which God has given us. Let not the poorest be discouraged from doing something for these good purposes, however little they may have it in their power to perform ; since Christ may acknowledge the noblest charity in the smallest gift, as wherever there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. (2 Cor. viii. 12.)

Let us imitate the candour of our blessed Redeemer, and be ready to be pleased with little services. The circumstances of mankind are such that few have it in their power to do great matters frequently for the service of others : but the desire of a man is his kindness (Prov. xix. 22) ; the principles and circumstances of an action recommend it more than the appearance it may make ; and a multiplicity of little kind offices, in persons frequently conversant with each other, are the bands of society and friendship. We ought therefore to preserve an habitual tenderness and generosity of mind, and be mutually willing to oblige and to be obliged by them.

To conclude ; let us not despise the poor, since there are many of them who will in Christ’s computation be found eminently rich in good works ; many whose mite will, in the treasury of God, have the value of a talent, and will condemn the sordid parsimony with which many of the rich and great have cast their presents into it ; while what the latter part with out of their abundance bears no proportion in the account of God to what the former freely spare from their necessity. Happy is it for every truly pious and benevolent mind that it is to give up its final account to him who searches the heart, and who is witness to those devout and charitable purposes which will always

The stately buildings of the temple being shew stretch themselves out beyond the limit of acti the charitable soul to wish more good than the enues even of kingdoms could effect.