Editorial

‘But she of her want did cast in all that she had’, Mark 12. 44.

It is with mixed feelings that I approach the writing of this my final editor’s comment for the Precious Seed magazine. The demands of the project to demolish and rebuild the Gospel Hall in St. Austell must now have precedence over this work of editorship. I have served as editor since the year 2000 when I jointly took over with Arthur Shearman as he retired from the work. The demands of this new project have also meant that I need to leave my place on the committee.

It has been a privilege to serve on the trusteeship of this magazine that has grown and spread its wings to become widely received around the world and a welcome help to so many of God’s people who value the principles it promotes. If in any way I have furthered those aims in the small contributions I have made to it then I am well pleased.

My service in the work of the magazine has given me the joy of working alongside some of the godliest and most devoted servants of the Lord Jesus and to communicate with the many believers in hundreds of assemblies that have with us a common desire to see New Testament patterns taught and worked out in our generation. The links with those in the USA have been something special in all this. It has been a most worthwhile part of my life in Christ.

This brings me to the scripture at the top of the page. Why did the Lord see it as so important that the action of this widow in the treasury of the Temple that day should be brought to the attention and notice of His disciples? I discern at least two reasons. We are aware that He was looking at what these offerers had left after they had offered and not on how much they had given. He says of this widow ‘she hath cast in all that she hath, even all her living’. Her decision to give that day resulted in her not withholding anything at all.

This attitude of heart resonated with loud acclaim in heaven and the Lord Jesus could not ignore it. This is how God gives; when He does He gives all and withholds nothing. This is one reason surely as to why the Lord draws their attention to her. The second must be her act of total faith in God by what she did that day. If, as He says she did, she gave all, then to what did she look for the supply of the next day? She left no reserves at home to fall back on for it had all gone to the Lord. No she just looked to Him to see to her needs and had complete trust in His provision. Here are both devotion and faith in full measure and seen in one normally no one would have paid any attention to. But the Lord does not miss it.

In a day when devotion and faith in our lives have surrendered their importance to far lesser things, it is good to know that what matters to God, and for eternity, is still available to us all. Saints of God, there is no life like that which gives the Lord His first place and walks the path of humble dependence in fellowship with Him. Don’t lose it to that which has no lasting value.

This issue of the magazine follows the pattern I have sought to maintain in its pages during my editorship: a balance of devotional, expositional and practical ministry that will both build up and lift up our hearts. We conclude John Riddle’s delightful studies on the gates of Jerusalem and commence a series on the apostle Paul by our brother James Cochrane. I'm sure you will continue to enjoy the centre pull-out studies started last issue by Malcolm Horlock; there is still much thought provoking material to come I assure you. Also this issue aids us to face the increasing moral challenges brought about by the common misuse of alcohol and the breakdown of marriages. Both are contemporary issues and we thank the Lord for brethren who will write on them to give us some idea as to where we need to stand in relation to them.

Our prayer and desire is that the Lord will graciously continue to bless His people and use our feeble efforts through this magazine to the glory of His Name.