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Cause in Vermont
585
They are deceiving their own souls, for Satan has blinded their
eyes. In robbing God, they have robbed themselves more. Because
of covetousness and an evil heart of unbelief, they have deprived
themselves of the heavenly treasure. Because they have but one
talent, they are afraid to trust it with God, and so hide it in the
earth. They feel relieved of responsibility. They love to see the
truth progress, but do not think that they are called upon to practice
self-denial and aid the work by their own individual effort and by
their means, although they have not a large amount.
All should do something. The case of the widow who cast in
her two mites is placed upon record for the benefit of others. Christ
commended her for the sacrifice she made and called the attention of
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His disciples to the act: “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.” Christ esteemed her gift
more valuable than the large offerings of the most wealthy. They
gave of their abundance. They would not feel the least privation
because of their offerings. But the widow had deprived herself of
even the necessaries of life to make her little offering. She could not
see how her future wants were to be supplied. She had no husband
to support her in want. She trusted God for the morrow. The value
of the gift is not estimated so much by the amount that is given as
by the proportion and by the motive which prompts the gift. When
Christ shall come, whose reward is with Him, He will give every
man according as his work shall be.
All, both high and low, rich and poor, have been entrusted by
the Master with talents; some more, some less, according to their
several ability. The blessing of God will rest upon the earnest, loving,
diligent workers. Their investment will be successful and will secure
souls to the kingdom of God and an immortal treasure to themselves.
All are moral agents, and all are entrusted with the goods of heaven.
The talents are proportioned according to the capabilities possessed
by each.
God gives to every man his work, and He expects returns accord-
ing to the various trusts bestowed. He does not require the increase
of ten talents from the man to whom He has given only one talent.
He does not expect the man of poverty to give alms as the man who