Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

God has a different economy than the world. The world measures a gift by the intrinsic value of the gift. But God measures a gift by the amount of sacrifice of the giver. Rich people were putting their gifts into the treasury and they are not scorned for their gift, in fact Jesus declares the their offer was for God. God honors whatever lever of sacrifice we make. For these wealthy givers it wasn’t a large sacrifice but it still was a gift received by God. The widow however gave the greatest gift because it was all she had. God doesn’t need our money. I know you probably have heard that before but think about it. He asks us to give faithfully, in fact He tells us that we live under a curse when we rob from Him, not giving our tithe and yet he doesn’t want our money He wants our hearts. As a young father this was one of those hard lessons to get, it was about trust. It is always about trust. When my kids were young we often had barely enough to keep them fed. I had just started at the church and we weren’t making enough to pay bills let alone tithe. But it wasn’t an option for Carol and I, whatever the sacrifice it must be made. I new I had to trust God now or get out of the ministry. If I could trust God with my money than what right did I have to lead his church. I didn’t just sit around a pray, although I did a lot of praying but I took side jobs, construction cleanup, painting, working wherever God would give me a little extra all the time pastoring. I learned life lessons but do you know what I remember the most? It was when I gave my tithe it was such a sacrifice and I knew it brought pleasure to the heart of my heavenly father.

Pastor Rick

Next reading: Exodus 3-5; Luke 22