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The Value of a Crumb

Two unrelated, yet related, quotes in this one:

The Canaanitish woman in the fifteenth of Matthew sets a high price upon a crumb of mercy. Ah, Lord, says the humble soul, if I may not have a loaf of mercy, give me a piece of mercy; if not a piece of mercy, give me a crumb of mercy. If I may not have sun-light, let me have moon-light; if not moon-light, let me have star-light; if not star-light, let me have candle-light; and for that I will bless thee…Every smile of God, and every discovery of God, and every drop of mercy from God, is very highly prized by a soul that walks humbly with God. The name of Christ, the voice of Christ, the footsteps of Christ, the least touch of the garment of Christ, the least-regarded truth of Christ, the meanest and least-regarded among the flock of Christ, is highly prized by humble souls that are interested in Christ.

-Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ from Works vol. 3, p. 16

As a great shoe fits not a little foot, nor a great sail a little ship, nor a great ring a little finger, so a great estate fits not a humble soul…So an humble soul is more contented and satisfied with Daniel’s pulse and John’s coat than proud princes are with their glistering crowns and golden scepters (pp. 21-22).

It strikes me that the richest among us often struggle with contentment. I am certain that the poor do as well, but that is beside the point here. The Christian can do all things through Christ, who strengthens him. That is, the Christian can find contentment in any circumstance. Why? Because the company of the simplest saint is more to be desired than the audience of the pagan prime minister. Because a touch of Christ’s garment is of more value than the touch of a diamond ring, or of celebrity skin. Because a crumb of the mercy of Jesus is more valuable than whatever dainties a Michelin Star chef might put on the plate. And he gives us more than crumbs, more than a touch, and a church full of simple saints to meet every week.

The Sinner’s Bones

[The humble man] sees that sin is so bred in the bone, that till his bones, as Joseph’s, be carried out of the Egypt of this world, it will not out.

-Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, from Works vol. 3, p. 28.

Sin is so deep that until our bones be brought out of the grave and into the Promised Land they will never truly have rest. We’ll go to the grave in this world, but we will not be content to let our bones remain there. And we must have a greater Joshua (Joshua 24:32) to finish that work and plant us where we belong.

  • By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones (Hebrews 11:22).

No Degrees But Glory

Bonaventure engraved this sweet saying of our Lord, ‘Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart,’ in his study; and oh that this saying was engraven upon all your foreheads, upon all your hearts!

-Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ from vol. 3 of Works, p. 33.

We learn from men in suits. We learn from men in caps and gowns and robes. We learn from men with enough degrees to classify them as walking thermometers. Now imagine learning from a homeless man with dusty feet. Imagine learning from someone who is perfectly humble. His only degrees are degrees of glory (2 Cor. 3:18). And so we ought to learn from him.

  • And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Except Your Brother Be With You

An humble soul knows that since he broke with God in innocency, God will trust him no more, he will take his word no more; and therefore when he goes to God for mercy, he brings Benjamin, his Jesus, in his arms, and pleads for mercy upon the account of Jesus.

-Thomas Brooks, The Unsearchable Riches of Christ from Works vol. 3, p. 20.

  • And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you (Genesis 43:3).

As the brothers of Joseph could not come before him without Benjamin, so we will not come before the Father without Jesus as our Brother.

Mind Your Work More Than Your Wages (Thomas Brooks)

If you would, Christians, attain unto assurance, then you must mind your work more than your wages; you must be better at obeying than disputing; at doing, at walking, than at talking and wrangling. Assurance is the heavenly wages which Christ gives, not to loiterers, but to holy laborers. Though no man merits assurance by his obedience, yet God usually crowns obedience with assurance.

-Thomas Brooks, Works of Thomas Brooks, Vol. 2, pp. 413-414 (Heaven on Earth, ch. 5).

Note: I don’t necessarily agree with this as a primary means of gaining assurance, but I certainly think it is wise counsel in general. The idea of ‘minding your work more than your wages’ is quite helpful in general, but we must have an eye toward the promises of God in Christ if we are to rightly mind our work to begin with (though I think this is Brooks’ assumption).