"Looking up, [Jesus] saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw also a poor widow putting in two mites (copper coins). 3 And He said, Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 For they all gave out of their abundance (their surplus); but she has contributed out of her lack and her want, putting in all that she had on which to live." (Luke 21: 1-4) The Lord’s economy is certainly different than ours. He says her little is much stating that “she gave more” than all of the others. By what standard did He measure her gift? Often we reason that because our gift may be small it must be insignificant. Possibly even concluding it is not worthy of giving and won’t make much of a difference. But Jesus revealing the heart of the Father places a high value not on the size of the dollar amount but the size of the heart from which it came. What makes the difference? This question is answered in the fact that a needy woman gave all that she had to live-on. Her gift was not an attempt to appease God or earn His favor but rather was a demonstration of her trust in God. Faith is what pleases God not sacrifice! It is her faith that is being honored. This is the standard by which our gift is measured. God loves a cheerful giver. Cheerfulness that is flowing from a heart that is tenderly trusting in the Lord who can make much of our little. Father help us to be motivated by faith in our giving not surplus or sacrifice. May all of our gifts be a demonstration of our trust in Your goodness and faithfulness. In the name of Jesus Your greatest gift of love! Amen!! "The greatest gift of all is to become the blessing" -Ann Voskemp
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Ebola, Isis, 4 year old brings bag of heroin to preschool, 36 Methodist Pastors bless Gay weddings … Just a small sampling of the news from today. I can hardly get through a segment of the news without weeping and feeling overwhelmed by grief from all the pain and devastation in the world. Fear, helplessness and uncertainty seems to hang like a cloud over the lives of so many. Darkness looms ahead as hope hangs by a thread. You would have to live like an Ostrich to deny that we are living in perilous times. In Ephesians 5:15-16 Paul has an instructive word to say to us who believe about how to conduct ourselves in times like these: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” The word for “making the most” is the Greek word exagorazō. It can be translated “redeem” or even more literally in this context it means to “buy up”. Have you ever been to the grocery store and found an exceptional deal on a product you frequently use or enjoy? Then bought up all they had not wanting to miss this incredible opportunity? Of course you have! So have I because that is what we women do. We find a great bargain and make the most of it. Paul is putting an interesting slant on what most of us would consider less than ideal circumstances. He is saying these “evil days” are in actuality a tremendous opportunity. An opportunity for what? To light up the darkness! Our Christ bearing presence has the potential to be a striking and glaring beacon of hope amidst the dark backdrop of these present days. So fellow bargain hunters and opportunity seizers let it not be said that we passed up our chance to “buy up” this time with Holy Spirit fueled investments! Father, you have appointed for us to live in these times. Fill us, use us and magnify the name of Christ through us! In the name of Jesus, the true HOPE of humanity! Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 |
Lisa Cook
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