May 23, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money." — Isaiah 43:24 · KJV

Worshippers at the temple used to bring gifts of sweet perfume to be burned on God's altar. But Israel, in her time of backsliding, became ungenerous and brought few such offerings to her Lord, and that was evidence of a cold heart toward God and His house. Reader, does this never happen with you? Might the complaint in this verse be brought against you occasionally, if not often? Those who are poor in pocket but rich in faith are accepted no less because their gifts are small; but, poor reader, do you give in fair proportion to the Lord, or is even the widow's mite held back from the sacred treasury? The wealthy believer should be thankful for what has been entrusted to him, yet should not forget his large responsibility, for where much is given much will be required. Rich reader, are you mindful of your obligations, giving back to the Lord in keeping with the benefit you have received? Jesus gave His lifeblood for us; what shall we give to Him? We are His, and all that we have is His, for He purchased us for Himself. Can we live as though we belonged to ourselves? Oh, for more consecration, and to that end, oh, for more love! Blessed Jesus, how good of You to accept the modest offerings we buy with our money! Nothing is too costly as a tribute to Your unrivaled love, and yet You favorably receive the smallest sincere token of affection. You accept our poor keepsakes and love-tokens as though they were valuable in themselves, though they are really no more than the bunch of wildflowers a child brings to its mother. May we never grow stingy toward You, and from this hour may You never again have to complain that we withheld the gifts of our love. We will give You the first fruits of our increase and pay You a tenth of everything, and then confess that of Your own we have given You.