“Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money.” — Isaiah 43:24

Worshippers at the temple were wont to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few votive offerings to her Lord: this was an evidence of coldness of heart towards God and His house. Reader, does this never occur with you? Might not the complaint of the text be occasionally, if not frequently, brought against you? Those who are poor in pocket, if rich in faith, will be accepted none the less because their gifts are small; but, poor reader, do you give in fair proportion to the Lord, or is the widow’s mite kept back from the sacred treasury? The rich believer should…

be thankful for the talent entrusted to him, but should notforget his large responsibility, for where much is given much will berequired; but, rich reader, are you mindful of your obligations, andrendering to the Lord according to the benefit received? Jesus gave Hisblood for us, what shall we give to Him? We are His, and all that we have,for He has purchased us unto Himself — can we act as if we were ourown? O for more consecration! and to this end, O for more love! BlessedJesus, how good it is of Thee to accept our sweet cane bought withmoney! nothing is too costly as a tribute to Thine unrivalled love, and yetThou dost receive with favour the smallest sincere token of affection!Thou dost receive our poor forget-me-nots and love-tokens as though theywere intrinsically precious, though indeed they are but as the bunch ofwild flowers which the child brings to its mother. Never may we growniggardly towards Thee, and from this hour never may we hear Theecomplain of us again for withholding the gifts of our love. We will giveThee the first fruits of our increase, and pay Thee tithes of all, and then wewill confess “of Thine own have we given Thee.”

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen