‘’Tis a little thing
To give a cup of water, yet it’s draught
Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips,
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame,
More exquisite than when nectarine juice
Renews the life of joy in happiest hours.
It is a little thing to speak a phrase
Of common comfort, which by daily use
Has almost lost its sense; yet on the ear
Of him who thought to die unmourned,
‘Twill fall like choicest music.”
There are not a few good people, with benevolent hearts and kindly impulses, who think they cannot do much good in the world because they have no money to give. They envy those who have wealth at their disposal, and who can so easily lift off the burdens of the poor, and give substantial aid to those who are in distress. They lament, that, because of their own poverty, they cannot relieve the human needs which they see about them. They do not know of any way of doing good without money, and sit discouraged in the midst of human needs and sorrows, not supposing that they with their empty hands could render any help or comfort.
No doubt, there are necessities which money only can relieve. Love, however rich and true and tender, will not pay the widow’s rent, nor buy medicines for the sick man, nor put shoes on the orphan’s feet. There always will be need for almsgiving while sin and sorrow continue on the earth, and he who has money to give must give it. “Whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?” Our professed love for Christ will, if real, exhibit itself in love to his friends who are in need. We cannot now serve Christ in person with our acts and ministries, for he does not need what we can give; but his people are with us, and what we do for them we do for him. One of the old Christmas legends illustrates this truth. Among the Saxons the custom prevailed of burning the Yule-log at the Christmas-tide. “A selfish man, who had plenty of money but no sympathy, was keeping his Christmas all alone; and out of deference to the day, he kept a little log burning with a very feeble flame. As he shivered in the chilly atmosphere of his desolate room, he fell asleep and dreamed. In his dream he heard a voice which drew his attention to a beautiful child who stood near him, and said, ‘Jesus is cold.’ With an impatient movement, the selfish man stirred the fire a little, and said, ‘Why don’t you go to the farmhouse down the lane? You’ll be warm enough there.’ — ‘Yes,’ replied the child; ‘but you make me cold, you are so cold.’ — ‘Then, what can I do for you?’ — ‘You can give me a gold coin.’ With a great deal of reluctance, the money-chest was opened, and a gold coin was given to the child. He took it. Instantly the dingy room became bright and cheerful, as the child hung up some laurel and holly, saying, ‘These are for life;’ and placed two candles on the shelf, saying, ‘These are for light;’ and stirred the fire, saying, ‘That is for love.’ Then the door was thrown open, and a poor widow and a sick man, and orphan children, were brought in and seated at a bountiful repast, while the child kept saying, ‘Jesus is warm now;’ and the selfish man found that he also was enjoying the scene, so that he presently confessed, ‘I think that I am warmer too.’ Then the child suddenly disappeared, and in his place there was a divine presence; and solemnly the words were pronounced, ‘although I am in heaven, I am everywhere; for everywhere is heaven if I am there. I cannot suffer as I once suffered; but whenever my children are cold or hungry, or persecuted or neglected, I suffer with them; and whenever they are warm and fed, and sheltered and loved, I rejoice with them; so that Jesus is often cold, and Jesus is often warm.’”
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