Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
November 30– Morning
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“And Amaziah said to the man of God, ‘But what will we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?’ And the man of God answered, ‘The Lord is able to give you much more than this.”
—2 Chronicles 25:9
This seemed to be a very important question to the king of Judah, and possibly it has even more weight with the tried and tempted Christian. Losing money is never pleasant, and, when standing for principle requires it, the flesh is not always ready to make the sacrifice. “Why lose that which is so necessary to our use? May not the truth itself be bought too dear? What shall we do without it? Remember the children, and our small income!” All these things and a thousand more would tempt the Christian to put forth his hand to unrighteous gain or keep himself from carrying out his conscientious convictions when they involve serious loss. All men cannot view these matters in the light of faith; and even with the followers of Jesus, the doctrine of “we must live” has quite sufficient weight.
“The Lord is able to give you much more than this” is a very satisfactory answer to this anxious question. Our Father holds the purse-strings, and what we lose for his sake he can repay a thousand-fold. It is ours to obey his will, and we may rest assured that he will provide for us. When all is said and done, the Lord will be no man’s debtor. Saints know that a grain of heart’s-ease is of more value than a ton of gold. He who wraps a threadbare coat about a good conscience has gained a spiritual wealth far more desirable than anything he has lost. God’s smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart; his frown and a palace would be hell to a gracious spirit.
Let the worst come to the worst and all the talents go; still, we have not lost our treasure, for that is above where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Meanwhile, even now, the Lord sees to it that the meek inherit the earth, and he withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly. [M&E]