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Motive Determines Value of Our Acts, July 18
So He called His disciples to Him and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you
that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the
treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her
poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Mark 12:43, 44
, NKJV.
It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or
with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue
praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little
gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often
stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most
costly gift.
The poor widow gave her living to do the little that she did. She deprived herself
of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in
faith, believing that her heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was
this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Savior’s commendation.
Among the poor there are many who long to show their gratitude to God for
His grace and truth. They greatly desire to share with their more prosperous fellow
church members in sustaining His service. These souls should not be repulsed. Let
them lay up their mites in the bank of heaven. If given from a heart filled with love
for God, these seeming trifles become consecrated gifts, priceless offerings, which
God smiles upon and blesses.
When Jesus said of the widow, She “hath cast in more than they all,” His words
were true, not only of the motive, but of the results of her gift. The “two mites,
which make a farthing” have brought to God’s treasury an amount of money far
greater than the contributions of those rich Jews. The influence of that little gift has
been like a stream, small in its beginning, but widening and deepening as it flowed
down through the ages. In a thousand ways it has contributed to the relief of the
poor and the spread of the gospel.
Her example of self-sacrifice has acted and reacted upon thousands of hearts in
every land and in every age. It has appealed to both the rich and the poor, and their
offerings have swelled the value of her gift. God’s blessing upon the widow’s mite
has made it the source of great results. So with every gift bestowed and every act
performed with a sincere desire for God’s glory. It is linked with the purposes of
Omnipotence. Its results for good no one can measure.—
The Desire of Ages, 615,
616
.
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