May 31

When little is much

“Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Prov. 15:16).
“Little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked” (Psa. 37:16).

Give what Thou canst; without Thee we are poor;
And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away.
—William Cowper
A little with the blessing of God upon it is better than a great deal with the incumbrance of His curse. His blessing can multiply a mite into a talent, but His curse will shrink a talent into a mite. By Him the arms of the wicked are broken, and by Him the righteous are upholden. So that the great question is, Whether He be with or against us? The favor of God is to them that obtain it a better and enduring substance, which, like the widow’s barrel of oil, wasted not in the evil days of famine, nor will fail.
—Bishop Horne.

In palaces are hearts that ask,
In discontent and pride,
Why life is such a dreary task
And all things good denied.
Yet hearts in poorest huts admire
How love has in their aid
(Love that not ever seems to tire)
Such rich provision made.
—Richard Chevenix Trench.

The Rev. F. H. Spence writes from Point Barrow, Alaska. “We have no telegraph, telephone, wireless, automobile, overland limited, or airship; but neither do we have the saloon, the brothel, or Sabbath desecration; and the house of God is filled. Three times a week do they flock to God’s house, and with them all their children, from the oldest to the youngest. Their faith is simple. If they lack food they pray to God to give to them. If any are sick, they ask Him to restore them to health. Gentle are they, kind and generous to one another. It may be at times we look with longing eyes at the privileges you enjoy, and then the peace and faith and quiet of these people steal over us, and we are content.”

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