As we looked at heavenly treasures on yesterday; I would like to look at giving today. Giving can be difficult. Read a few verses from the book of Luke with me. Luke 21:1 And he (Jesus) looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Luke 21:2
And he (Jesus) saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
Luke 21:3
And he (Jesus) said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Luke 21:4
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury (poverty) hath cast in all the living that she had. All she had. If it were I would I have held on to at least some of the money! It's hard to part with money. But let's stop and ask ourselves a question why was the reason the Lord put this story in the scriptures? Was it to teach us something about trust? I remember years ago my oldest son was about five years old, we were at Church and his aunt had given him a bunch of change. It was mostly quarters and dimes. I was teaching in children church and we took up and offering as we did every Sunday. When the basket got to my son he reached in his pockets and brought out a hand full of that change. As the boy taken up the offering started to move to the next person my son stopped him and said he wasn't finish yet and began to unload his pocket until all the money was gone and he had nothing for himself left. Like this widow woman he too gave it all. So why do you think God put this story here for us? There were rich men there and they were giving what that could afford; they were giving from their abundance but here was this widow who had only two mites; a mite was the smallest of copper coins and was worth very little. Well you might say "she didn't have anything anyways why not give it." Do you really think this is the case? I don't think so for the Lord would not have allowed this story to be here if that were case. This woman gave it all, now she has nothing. We don't read of her begging from the rich nor do we read about her worrying herself to death. You see we are simply managers of His provisions while we live this life. In her giving she was saying thank you Lord for all that you have given and done for me. She gave with an attitude of gratitude, with an attitude of joy, dedication and thankfulness. It was not the amount she gave it was the way she gave. She didn't give that her name might have been known for we don't even know who she is but she realized that God is the giver of all good gifts and she in no way could ever repay Him for what He had done for her. She realized that she was breathing air she could not afford; living a life of real joy without money simply because she had put her trust in the one who loved her more than words could express. It becomes easier to be a cheerful giver when you realize you don't have anything anyways. Are we grateful of what the Lord has done for us? What are we giving to show our gratitude or are we just complaining about what we don't have? We are blessed and somewhere today why don't you just stop and thank the Lord for His Blessing upon you and name a few out laud. You'll be glad you did!
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