A little girl once had a bed of strawberries, and she was very anxious that they should ripen, and be fit to eat.
“Now for a feast!” said her brother to her one morning, as he picked some beautiful ones for her to eat.
“I cannot eat these,” said she, “for they are the first ripe fruit.”
“Well,” said her brother, “all the more reason for our making a feast, for they are the greater treat.”
“Yes, but they are the first ripe fruit.” “Well, what of that?”
“Dear father told us that he used to give God the first out of all the money he made, and then he always felt happier in spending the rest; and I wish to give God the first of my strawberries, too.”
“Ah! but,” said her brother, “how can you give strawberries to God? And even if you could, He would not care for them.”
“O, I have found out a way,” said she. “Jesus said ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me’; and I mean to go with them to Mrs. Perkin’s sick child, who never has a strawberry; they are so poor.”
Away went the children to give them to the sick girl; and when they saw her put out her thin arms, and take the ripe, round fruit in her little shriveled fingers, and when they saw her eyes glisten, and her little faded lips smile, they felt as if they had a richer feast than if they had kept the ripe fruit themselves; and something within them told them that God had accepted their little offering.
Whatever we give to the Lord, or to any of His own, for His sake, it is “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:1818But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18).
ML 05/17/1931