This verse was included in one of several of the daily devotional/ inspirational emails/blogs, etc that I read. It struck me, I certainly do not consider myself by American standards to be "wealthy." In fact, I am right now, tying to figure out how to make ends meet; how to pay a new student loan that is due, facing rising gas prices, furlough days are killing me.... You are quite aware. Times are different.
However, compared to most in the world, I am quite wealthy. I have a roof over my head, a nice car, stocked cabinets with food that we waste, a nice iPhone, etc. (You get the point.)
I can choose to focus on what I want (more stuff) or all the things I have that are true blessings. The thing is: God has called me give. I do not have to give to the point of putting myself or my children in poverty (by whose standards, anyway?) but there is so much I CAN give... I can give my time, I can give my service, I can give forgiveness. And yes, even though I am not "wealthy" I can give financially because I know that all my needs are beyond met! I am SO incredibly blessed!
Another blog that I read several days ago mentioned these verses from Mark12: 41- 44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."
It takes little to no faith and goodness to give something. It takes genuine love and compassion to go beyond ourselves to truly see the need and help others. What are the needs of the people in your life? It may not cost a thing- except your time... or maybe some forgiveness.
The less we have, the more we have to give. What is it that we are being "selfish" with? That's probably the area that we need to learn to be more generous with. All we need is enough for today.
No comments:
Post a Comment