Without a doubtful murmur, or question as to his consequent pecuniary loss, Matthew rose up and followed his Master, and united his interest with the few disciples of Jesus. The despised publican felt that the Saviour had bestowed upon him an honor which he did not deserve. He gave no thought to the lucrative business he had exchanged for poverty and fatigue. It was enough that he would be in the presence of Christ, that he could learn wisdom and goodness from his lips, behold his marvelous works, and be a co-laborer with him in his arduous toil. {2SP 187.2}

Uden at knurre eller tvivle eller at tage noget hensyn til det pengetab, som dette ville have til følge, stod Mattæus op og fulgte sin Mester og forenede sin interesse med Jesu og hans disciples. Denne foragtede tolder følte, at Frelseren havde æret ham mere, end han fortjente. Han bortbyttede villig sin indbringende forretning for fattigdom og besvær, Det var (188) ham nok, at han kunne være med Kristus, kunne lære visdom og dyd fra hans læber, se hans underfulde gerninger og blive hans medarbejder og deltage i hans besværlige virksomhed.