• “Don’t assume you have to be extraordinary to be used by God. You don’t have to have exceptional gifts, talents, abilities, or connections. God specializes in using ordinary people whose limitations and weaknesses make them ideal showcases for His greatness and glory” – Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Treasures by Martha Snell Nicholson


One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth’s highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
“Lift your empty hands to Me!”

So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
Till they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!

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6 Responses to Treasures by Martha Snell Nicholson

  • Gabriella Gravina says:

    Please help me to find a recording oos the song I heard based on Martha's poem,Treasures. I don' t know who recorded it, but I know thru searching online that it was arranged by Tom Fettke and Tom M oen had some association. I have seen it listed as, " Empty Hands". And 0ne By One " and also "lift Your empty hands to me"...

    • Wendy Tascione says:

      It's likely one of the arrangers was DON Moen and I believe the recording you're looking for is this one, God With Us. Please be blessed by the beauty, even if it's not the correct one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwHQ1rCqhVs

  • Lynn Moseley says:

    I am a novice writer, writing my first faith book at 90 years old. Must I have copyright permission to include EMPTY HANDS by Martha Snell Nicholas in my personal testimony of my faith and trust in God?

    • womenofchristianity says:

      Hi Lynn! That is incredible. From what I understand, it is usually necessary to obtain permission from the copyright holder to quote a poem in a book (unless the writing is now in the public domain). Though this site can be listed as a source of research, all materials on this site are the property of the respective copyright holders, so any permissions would need to be granted from them. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need assistance with anything on here and may He bless the sharing of your personal testimony!

  • Barbara L Barrick says:

    These beautiful words were taught to me with the tune of The Unveiled Christ. It was life changing for me when we sang this at a college camp retreat in 1964. This with Romans 12:1-2 changed my life.

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  • “Bare heights of loneliness…a wilderness whose burning winds sweep over glowing sands, what are they to HIM? Even there He can refresh us, even there He can renew us.” – Amy Carmichael

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Verse of the Day

[The Narrow Way] “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. — Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)

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