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1. The praises of God should not be kept only for Sunday. A Christian's whole life should be a life of praise. Every day sees all nature singing its Te Deum, and shall we alone keep silence?

2. All our lives are woven of a different pattern, but in all we can trace the golden thread of God's mercy, of Christ's redeeming love. When we remember how little we have deserved God's goodness, how little we have done for Him who doeth all for us, surely our lips must break forth into praise. We owe Him "our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life," etc.

3. But we must praise God not only with our lips but in our lives, making our life one long hymn of praise. To do this you must make it —

I. A CONTENTED LIFE. Murmuring lips can shape no praises. There is the legend, that one day Elijah appeared suddenly in the crowded market-place of a great city. The prophet, on being asked who among that crowd would be saved, pointed to two mechanics talking and laughing merrily together. These men had done no great thing, but they were contented with such things as they had, they worked honestly and cheerfully at their trade, they thanked God for His mercies, and never spoke evil of their neighbours. So the man or woman who takes what God sends, be it sunshine or shower, and can look up and say truly, "Thank God," who works cheerily without grumbling, "as unto the Lord, and not unto men," such an one praises God. If men would understand this, they would not look on their work as a curse, but a blessing. The reason why it is so hard to get working-men to church is because they have never learned to praise God in their work, and so they do not care to praise Him in His holy temple.

II. BY HELPING TO MAKE OTHERS HAPPY, AND BY LEADING THEM TO JESUS. I believe that the sight of a mother teaching her little one to pray, or that of a gentle friend soothing the sorrows of an invalid, or leading a wrong-doer to a better mind, are precious in God's eyes above all the great works of the greatest men of all time. These things, like Mary's ointment, are remembered for ever. The sacrifice of love is the best praise offered to the all-giving God. it was said by one of old that life consisted of two heaps; a large one of sorrow, a small one of happiness. And whoever carried a little atom from one to the other did God service. To make others happy, especially to make them good, is an offering of a sweet-smelling savour to the Lord. They tell us that they can trace in the sandstone the marks of a raindrop that fell a million years ago. So the smallest act of love done for God shall leave its mark, if not seen here in time, it will be visible in eternity.

(H. J. W. Buxton, M.A.)

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KJV: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

WEB: Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.