January 17

Do it heartily, as to the Lord. — Col. iii. 23.

Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 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. — MARK xii. 43, 44.

THIS incident of the third day of the Passion Week of our Lord suggests or vivifies many truths. It illustrates the thought that the apparent insignificance of our service makes the doing of it the more significant. It makes plain that Christ values our service, not by reason of its intrinsic merit, but by what it costs us. It shows that Christ sees and appreciates our service, though he may speak to us no word of commendation. It has for us a lesson of faithfulness in things secret. "The gods see it," said the Greek sculptor as he carved the part of the statue that was to be hidden from men's eyes. It teaches the duty of giving with each gift — ourselves. It proves that God is the supreme being to whom all service is to be given. The divine and not the human represents the ideal of humanity. This incident thus illustrates not a few of the truths of the atonement of him "who gave himself for us."

We give thee but thine own, Whate'er the gift may be; All that we have is thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from thee!

W. W. HOW.