The _poor widow’s mites_ were but a small matter in themselves, yet as they were the utmost she could give, our blessed Saviour set them above the larger contributions of the rich. This may encourage people in every state of life to be contented with their _capacity_ of doing good, provided they act up to it. Let no one think that he is too low, too mean and private to follow his Lord in the salvation of souls. Let him but add his mite, and if it be all that he hath, he shall be thought to have done much. Not that all are to be preachers and teachers of religion, no more than all are to be _apostles_, or all _prophets_, or all _workers of miracles_. Christians are like members of one and the same body; they are as different from one another, as hands and eyes, and have as different offices; yet may their different parts promote the same common end. As _the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again, the head to the feet, I have no need of you_¹; so neither can the learned teacher say he hath no need of the private, unlearned person. For the work of salvation is carried on by all hands, as well by him that is taught, as by him that teacheth. An _unlearned_ person, by being desirous of instruction, and careful to comply with it, may promote salvation as truly, in a degree, as he that is able and willing to instruct. This teachable disposition may as effectually influence others as another man’s ability and care of teaching. Therefore, though, as the apostle saith, all have _not the gift of healing_, though all do not _speak with tongues_, yet all have _some part_ that they may act in the salvation of mankind, and may follow their Lord and Master in the great work, for which he came down from heaven: we must not then think, that it is the business of _clergymen_ only to carry on the work of salvation; but must remember, that we are engaged in the same business, though not in the same manner.
¹ 1 Cor. xii. 2.
V. Had the _poor widow_ thought herself excused from taking care of the treasury; had she thought it belonged only to the _rich_ to contribute to it, she had lost that great commendation which our Saviour bestowed upon her. Now, it may be that some widows are so very poor, as not to have so much as a _mite_ to give to the treasury, who must therefore content themselves with the charity of their hearts; but this can never happen in the business of salvation. Here no one can be so poor, as not to have a _mite_ to contribute towards it. For no circumstances of life can hinder us from being _examples_ of piety, and making our lives a _lesson_ of instruction to all that are about us. And he that lives an exemplary life though his state be ever so _poor_ and _mean_, is largely contributing to the salvation of others, and proving himself the _best_ follower of his Lord and Master.