Day 259
Luke 21:1-4 NIV
"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," He said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth: but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Many of us who have heard this story understand the principle of giving proportionately. God does not measure our giving by what we let go of. He measures it by how much we have left.
There are people who come to church because it requires little effort. They have no problem with transportation. They do not live too far away. Perhaps they have notable positions in the church and come whenever they have to perform, because it helps them look good. They will not let their work go down, because it would reflect on them. They care more about how they look than how the needs of people are met. It does not take much for these same people to stay away from church when they are not required to be there. To them, any excuse will do, because corning to church is a selfish thing. Although others benefit from what they do, that is not the primary reason for their labor. The truth will be revealed the first time they are offended by the pastor or another leader, or if God fails to answer them in the way they hoped He would on a particular issue.
Others have to go all out of their way and have inconvenienced themselves to get to church. They have no position of significance, so to speak. If they do any work, it is seldom noticed, and someone else usually gets the credit for what they do. Yet, they are faithful. If they are offended by the pastor or someone else, they forgive and keep going. They are conscious of serving as unto the Lord. As long as the Lord approves of them, they will give all they have.
Some people come to church regularly and give and praise the Lord with gladness. They cooperate wonderfully, because everything is intact in their lives. Their bills are paid, and all is well on the job. However, they would not be nearly as faithful or grateful to God if anything in their lives fell apart. They give out of their abundance.
Others are married to people who despise the church. Their spouses verbally abuse them because of their church attendance. Some are experiencing other kinds of turmoil in their family or problems on their jobs. Yet, they are faithful to come to church, and when they give financially or give through praise and worship, it is impossible to discern what they are suffering. Their countenance radiates the joy of the Lord. Their giving to God is not a convenience. They really love Him. Out of their want, they give all they have.
We do not have to be destitute or have serious family or employment problems to impress God with our giving. We must simply monitor ourselves and our attitudes when we are tested. No matter how well things are going, as long as we are in this world, we will be challenged in some way. When things are not going well and we feel discouragement pressing in on us, let us continue to do the things we know are right. Let us make sure we go to church, give, serve and praise and worship God just as much or more. We serve God because of who He is and what He has already done for us, not because of how things are going for us day by day. Let us examine ourselves now and, if we need to, repent and ask God to help us keep the right attitude toward Him, regardless of our circumstances.
I will examine myself regularly to make sure my attitude toward God is what it should be. With God's help, my giving will be pleasing in His sight, regardless of what my circumstances are. He is worthy of my all, whether I have little or much. He deserves the highest praise when all is well with me and mine. He deserves the same when there is trouble on every side.