Worshippers at the temple used to bring expensive perfumes to burn on God's altar. But when Israel drifted from the Lord, she grew stingy. The offerings dwindled. It was a sure sign of a heart grown cold toward God and his house.

Reader, does this never happen with you? Could God bring this same complaint against you—occasionally? Frequently?

Listen, if you're poor in pocket but rich in faith, God accepts your small gifts just as gladly as anyone else's. But friend, do you give in fair proportion to what you have? Or do you hold back even the widow's mite from the sacred treasury?

And you who have been blessed with wealth, be thankful for what's been entrusted to you. But don't forget: where much is given, much will be required. Rich reader, are you mindful of your obligations? Are you giving back to the Lord in proportion to what you've received?

Jesus gave his blood for us. What shall we give to him?

We belong to him—lock, stock, and barrel. He purchased us. Can we really go on acting like we're our own? O for more consecration! And for that, we need more love!

Blessed Jesus, how gracious you are to accept our offerings, our "sweet cane bought with money!" Nothing is too costly when measured against your matchless love. And yet... and yet you receive with joy the smallest sincere token of affection! You take our pitiful forget-me-nots and love-tokens as if they were priceless treasures—though indeed they are but as the handful of wildflowers a child brings to its mother.

May we never grow stingy toward you. And from this hour forward, may you never have reason to complain that we're withholding the gifts of our love. We will give you the first fruits of our increase. We will pay our tithes of everything. And then we will confess the truth: "Of your own have we given you."