GOD’S REPAYMENTS
‘Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.’
There is part of our duty which is under special contract, quite defined—the ‘two-pence’ given, and the ‘two-pence’ to be laid out. But beyond the ‘two-pence’ there is more which is not so definite, but which must be done, and just as much done, in faith, waiting for a settlement by and by.
So it is in life. There are some things which God has told us to do; quite positively, and quite distinctly. These are commandments. But, beside and beyond commandments, there are many other things about which we have not such clear instruction—which are left to our own feelings, to our own suggestions, to our own judgments, to a principle. These are the more. And these are the greater things—the largest part of the religious life.
I. Payment promised.—For some things you do for God you have an instant payment; a compensation; a remuneration at the time—in a success—in a retributive Providence—in a greater supply of felt grace and joy; the beginning, the ‘two-pence,’ are the pledges of the rest to come. But others are left for the grand account at the last; all a matter of trust. And here is the great test of a man: ‘Can you work, can you spend for God, with nothing to show for it; with nothing whatever in hand—leaving all to the final reckoning, and confident that it will all be made right, and you will receive back all you have said, and all you have done, a thousandfold?’
II. A sound investment.—Depend upon this, there is no investment in the world like what you do for Christ, and give for Him, and for His sake. You may, or you may not, have some present return in Providence. You are sure to have some return, perhaps in an increase in grace and peace: but these things are the interest; the capital is in the securities of heaven; in the bank of the faithful love of the eternal God; and, in His safe and holy keeping, it is growing, every moment, on and on to the measure of the Infinite. And ‘when He comes again,’ you will find that every drop of cold water—every word of tenderness—every accent and look of sympathy, every minute act of love— for Him—which you ever did or gave but took no reckoning of, has taken reckoning in that book; it is entered in His account. You never put it down by a thought, or even in memory, but He did. And then it is enough. I can add nothing to the eloquence of His own words, ‘I will repay thee.’
III. ‘When I come again!’—They are sweet words, and as true as they are sweet. He will come again; and when He comes it will be wonderful how we shall find every promise kept; and, better still than all, He—His own dear self, Who did it all—He is coming— He is coming!
Illustration
‘So long as Jesus tarried in this world, in this house by the way, He did all with His own hand, by His own sweet offices; but when He was obliged to go He left us the holy privilege to do it for Him. And before He went He made great provision, and furnished us very largely, and paid very much beforehand. But beyond all that which He so richly gave us, He anticipated the future, and made Himself responsible for all we can ever want, and undertook to make up to us anything we should ever bear or do for His people.’