The eye of God was upon this poor widow. Jesus observed what she did. A movement towards Him in any way never escapes His notice. He values all that comes from the heart, be it ever so small. If the motive is wrong, what good is the gift?
Man arrived in this world very much dependent. He is continually so, nor could any creature of God be otherwise. The mind of man has sought to change this, and Adam's race gives every indication of it. The Lord Jesus, on the contrary, never moved except in dependence, from the very moment He was born into this world until He lay His blessed head upon His breast in death.
The prodigal had to learn that he had sinned and was destitute. Job learned that he was vile. Isaiah discovered in God's presence that he was a man of unclean lips. To learn that in my flesh dwells no good thing, and in the language of Psa. 16, to feel "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust"-is godly knowledge indeed. To be poor in ourselves and to have all of our trust in the Savior is to be rich indeed.
How much had the rich cast into the treasury? Of their abundance. This poor widow cast in two mites out of her need. It was her living and all that she had. It is recorded in God's Word that she cast into the treasury of God more than they all. Such is the estimate of the divine sanctuary.
Whatever is given is not a gift unless it is felt as a sacrifice. How often the sense of self-preservation comes first and hinders the soul from presenting a sacrifice.
In Luke 20, verses 45-47, and chapter 21, verse 1, the hearts of the scribes are exposed as those who wish to make a show before men. This shows what they love and the desire for prominence-long robes, greetings in the markets, highest seats in the synagogues, and chief rooms at feasts. Also in public they make long prayers, which really belong in private. The same shall receive greater damnation.
The jewel merchant seeks out a dark background, as black, blue, or purple velvet, upon which he displays his gems. For the display of the precious stone in the picture of this fifth widow, the Lord chooses the darkest moral background that He can find-a religious professor who refuses the Christ of God. Such will cause the "certain poor widow" to stand in relief at the treasury of God. The varied prisms are already conveying the light shining through them. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
The believer is always in the light. This can never change forever. Do we walk day by day according to the light? Have we cast our all into the treasury of God, or do we keep a trust in man just in case the first trust fails us? Strange, indeed, our failing hearts, that we can trust God for eternity as to our souls and eternal happiness, but not for today. If this be our case, we have yet to experience the joy of this "certain poor widow" who has left her cares with stronger hands than her own-hands that are willing to assume the place of Savior of the body.
At last the prodigal has come all of the way home in experience. Nothing is left now but what the servants will take care of-the best robe, ring, shoes, and to feed upon the fatted calf.
What a discovery to find that Christ is everything. May He help us to quickly cast all into the treasury of God and lean hard upon the everlasting arms.
Is there a grace that exceeds the grandeur of such elevation and security which a bereaved widow finds, as she rests completely upon the arm of the only Man, who, having taken on a human body, dying, and being raised, can stand as the Daysman to bridge the gulf that must forever separate Adam's race from all blessing?
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