them both into the treasury : but great as that was, it by no means equalled that which is recorded in our text : for the widow who gave her two mites, had herself only to support ; whereas the other widow had a son also: and, though the widow with her two mites knew not where to obtain more, yet there was no general pressure at that time and place ; so that her neighbours, if willing, were able to supply her wants ; whereas the other widow was surrounded by those only who were involved in the same calamity with herself; and conse- quently coiild hope for no relief whatever ; smce, however her neighbours might have the incUnation, they had not the ability, to relieve her. Well therefore may this act of the Sidonian widow be "pubHshed, (as that of the Jevvdsh widow is,) through the whole world, as a memorial of her."]
2. The strength of her faith —
[Though a Gentile woman, she may well be called a daughter of Abraham ; for she very closely walked in the steps of Abrahams The declaration made to her as from God was made by a perfect stranger, and was unsupported by any miracle ; yet was it made the ground of action by her without a moment's hesitation : we may say of her therefore, as of Abraham, She " staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God ; and being fully persuaded, that what He had promised, he was able to perform 'I."]
Let us now contemplate, II. Her reward —
Richly was she repaid for this act of faith and love —
[" Her barrel of meal wasted not, nor did her cruse of oil fail," for the space of two years, during which time the prophet and herself and family were supported by them. We behold in the common course of providence, seed producing " thirty, sixty, and even an hundred-fold :" but never was there seen, either before or since, such an harvest as this. But truly, if " God is known by the judgments that he executeth," so is he also by the gifts that he bestoweth. He has said, that " what we give to the poor, we lend unto the Lord ; and that what- soever we lay out, he will repay us again :" but, in the instance before us, " the handful of corn sprang up as the woods of Lebanon."]
This fitly represents what shall be done in the eternal world —
<= Rom. iv. 12. ^ Rom. iv. 20, 21.
343.] THE widow's son RAISED BY ELIJAH. 393
[There will be a proportion between the works of men and their reward, so far, that the more we have done for the Lord the more we shall receive from him, reaping sparingly or bomitifully according as we have sown®. But what proportion exists between any work of ours, and the lowest reward that can be conferred in heaven ? Surely none : a whole life spent in the service of God is nothing when compared with an eter- nity of bliss. We need not however doubt on this account the certainty of God's promises ; but rather may enlarge our expectations to the utmost extent of them, assiired, that in the accomplishment of them our most sanguine hopes shall be more than realized.
But let us never forget what it is that God has promised to reward ; it is the obedience of faith. Had the widow bargained, as it were, to receive a recompence for her provisions, she never could have hoped for such a return as she received : but when she gave freely for the Lord's sake, and cast herself wholly upon him, then God esteemed nothing too great to confer upon her. So, if we would purchase heaven by our works, we shall in vain look for such blessedness : but if in a way of holy self-denial we will consecrate all that we are and have unto the Lord, for the exaltmg of his name, then will God load us with his richest benefits both in time and in eternity.